Franklin Richards’ Scene with Doctor Doom Sparks Debate
After Franklin Richards‘ debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, fan theories are heating up. Many now believe he could become a villain in Avengers: Doomsday (2026).
Franklin made a lasting impression, even drawing the attention of Galactus. But it was a specific moment near the end of the film that truly raised eyebrows. In the mid-credits scene — set four years after the events of the movie — a young Franklin is seen speaking with an unmasked Doctor Doom.
This quiet but chilling interaction has fans questioning his true alignment. Could this child prodigy be aligning with Marvel’s most dangerous villain?
Franklin Richards Shows Signs of Genius and Control
Although Franklin was an infant for most of First Steps, his intelligence was far beyond his years. According to the film, Franklin had already been hiding his powers while still in the womb. By age four, he’s shown to be reading Darwin’s The Origin of Species, a fact that shocks those around him. As one character puts it,
“He’s not just learning—he already understands.”
This level of awareness strongly suggests that Franklin was fully aware of his actions in his interaction with Doom. Their conversation wasn’t accidental — it could mark the beginning of something much larger.
Is Franklin Helping Doom… or Being Used by Him?
The most popular theory right now is that Franklin Richards may be helping Doctor Doom repair his disfigured face. Some even believe this could pave the way for Robert Downey Jr. to return to the MCU — not as Iron Man, but as a multiversal version of Doom in Avengers 5.
Fans speculate that Doom could manipulate Franklin’s reality-bending powers for a larger plan — perhaps one that leads to the creation of Battleworld, a major component of Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
Given that Franklin can create entire universes in the comics, it’s not hard to imagine him playing a central role in building a multiversal world. One fan theory states,
“Franklin may become the architect of the MCU’s next phase — whether he knows it or not.”
Will Franklin Richards Truly Become a Villain?
While the theories are compelling, they don’t guarantee that Franklin will turn evil. In the comics, he rarely takes a dark path. In fact, Franklin often uses his powers to protect his loved ones, especially his family.
He may believe he’s doing the right thing by working with Doom, even if others perceive it differently. He may be trying to prevent a greater catastrophe or unknowingly helping Doom out of naivety.
Regardless of the reasoning, the setup is clear: Franklin Richards has immense power, and his choices could reshape the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Franklin Richards is no ordinary child. Franklin Richards wields cosmic intelligence, forms secret alliances, and controls universe-altering powers, making him one of Marvel’s most impactful characters. Whether he becomes a hero, a villain, or something in between, one thing is certain — Franklin Richards is a name fans won’t forget anytime soon.
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