As the MCU timeline, the Fantastic Four will finally become a crucial part of Marvel Studios, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps serving as the latest cinematic portrayal of the iconic group. However, outside of Invisible Woman, Mister Fantastic, The Thing, and the Human Torch, the MCU reboot will bring another hero to life this summer.
In a new Empire Magazine interview, Kirby opened up about how much of a nerd she is for Sue Storm while also teasing that The Fantastic Four: First Steps story will focus on more than just adults with powers, foreshadowing the arrival of Franklin Richards. The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman also shared what Sue is like as a leader of the Fantastic Four, stating the following:
Vanessa Kirby: I’m such a Sue nerd. I think I out-nerded everyone in that room. I got so into quantum physics. It’s sad how much I got into it. I could waffle on about cellular vibration frequency. It’s not just adults that have superpowers.
Matt Shakman: [Sue is] the inspiring, idealistic, leader of what the Fantastic Four represents, as she is in some of the later comic runs. She’s essentially the Secretary-General of the UN.
What Vanessa Kirby's Fantastic Four Comments Mean For Marvel's First Family
While the trailers have yet to show him, Sue and Reed Richards' child in The Fantastic Four: First Steps has already been confirmed to be at least introduced as a baby in the new reboot. However, based on Kirby's latest comments, it may not take long for the MCU to demonstrate a taste of Franklin's powerful existence. That also makes future Fantastic Four movies and MCU projects more exciting, as Franklin is bound to have a bigger role after this film.
This is one of the many reasons The Fantastic Four: First Steps story already stands out from the previous live-action incarnations. Not only is the MCU's Fantastic Four reboot allowing the Phase 6 film to portray a more comic book-accurate version of the team, they are tapping into mythology that didn't get explored in the previous films, including Franklin Richards. If the MCU were to somehow also introduce a grown-up version of Franklin through time travel, that would make his presence an even bigger deal.
Our Take On Vanessa Kirby's Fantastic Four Comments
Hearing the family aspect that will come to life in The Fantastic Four: First Steps through Kirby's latest comments, the return of Marvel's First Family to the big screen is looking more promising than ever. What will be interesting, however, is to see who they may get to play Franklin, either as a teenager or a grown-up version down the line. But before they can get to that, the world will have to follow Franklin's early days in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, arriving in less than two months.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
- July 25, 2025
- Director
- Matt Shakman
- Writers
- Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Stan Lee
- Producers
- Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Tim Lewis
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cast
- Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
- Vanessa KirbySue Storm / The Invisible Woman
- Johnny Storm / Human Torch
- Ebon Moss-BachrachBen Grimm / The Thing
The Fantastic Four: First Steps depicts Marvel's First Family navigating their roles as heroes amidst a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. As they defend Earth from Galactus and the enigmatic Silver Surfer, they must also uphold the strength of their family bond.
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
MCU Movies
Source: Empire Magazine