The latest MCU film introduced the franchise’s most powerful character yet, just in time for Avengers: Secret Wars. Although the sixth Avengers movie isn’t slated to release until the end of 2027, development for the film should be well underway, considering how closely it will be tied to Avengers: Doomsday. The plot hasn’t been confirmed, but fans have an inkling about the future direction of the MCU.
The two Avengers films in the Multiverse Saga are expected to take from Marvel’s Secret Wars comic run. In the storyline, Marvel heroes team up to try and save the multiverse from being destroyed, as well as put a stop to Doctor Doom’s Battleworld. The Fantastic Four: First Steps blatantly sets up this arc, especially by introducing one integral character.
Franklin Richards Is A Crucial Figure To Make Avengers: Secret Wars’ Teased Ending Work
The Fantastic Four are key players in the Secret Wars comics, so it makes sense that their solo film is the first project to really set up Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. One member of the family who was introduced in the film was Franklin Richards, and despite only being a baby, he’s already proved to be one of the most powerful characters in the MCU.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps demonstrated how Franklin can revive people, and that only scratches the surface of his immense power. Some of his most notable powers are the ability to create pocket universes and warp reality. With how the Secret Wars comics end, Franklin will be vital in restoring the multiverse alongside his family.
Kevin Feige has teased that the MCU will experience a soft reboot after Avengers: Secret Wars, and that likely won’t be possible without Franklin. Considering that Franklin’s reality-warping abilities were used for a reset of sorts after the Secret Wars comics, it’s fair to assume that he’ll play a similar role in the MCU’s version of events.
Franklin Richards’ Immense MCU Powers May Be Nerfed Thanks To Avengers: Secret Wars
Though fans are excited to see the MCU’s Franklin in action as he gets older, one of the major concerns with the character is his sheer strength. He already possessed the strength to revive someone in his debut project, and it’s hard to imagine how the MCU’s heroes wouldn’t just throw Franklin at any tough future situation.
The MCU has nerfed their overpowered heroes in crucial moments before, such as Captain Marvel being absent for the majority of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and the Super-Skrull G’iah virtually disappearing from the franchise. However, if Secret Wars does follow the comics, there could be a logical way to nerf Franklin’s powers.
Comic Franklin has become a little less powerful at certain points after exerting strength for big feats or intentionally reducing them. Saving the multiverse and creating new universes would take a lot of power from anyone, so the MCU already has a way to justify Franklin’s power nerf if they choose to do so at the end of Avengers: Secret Wars.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date
December 17, 2027
Writers
Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Stephen McFeely
Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom
Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm / Thing