I really think Galactus will be the second most powerful character introduced in the MCU’s Fantastic Four

Galactus is one of Marvel’s most powerful characters, but I’d bet his power levels will be second to none in the upcoming MCU Fantastic Four: First Steps. The MCU will finally debut its version of Marvel’s First Family on July 25, 2025, where they will appear alongside the iconic Marvel villain, Galactus, as portrayed by Ralph Inson. This will be Galactus’ second appearance in a live-action movie adaptation, putting pressure on Marvel to improve upon the widely lambasted version depicted 17 years ago in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

In this regard, things look positive The Fantastic Four: First Steps. An early look at its main characters revealed Galactus’ gargantuan eyes as he peers through a window, confirming that he will, at least, be composed of solid matter. Given Marvel’s track record, this is likely to extend to a comically-accurate costume and power set, making him one of the most powerful villains ever introduced in the MCU. Nevertheless, early signs suggest that Galactus will not be the most powerful character in the movie.

Galactus is a very powerful MCU character – but not the most powerful

The MCU has already introduced some more powerful characters

Galactus is a cosmic behemoth whose whole MO is to devour planets to satiate his hunger. His size alone is formidable enough, but he also boasts a godlike power (dubbed the Power Cosmic) fueled by the planets he consumes which affords him vast energy manipulation capabilities and even control over life itself. If the MCU will debut a Galactus with a similar power set to the comics, that means Marvel is about to add to its list of the most powerful MCU villains – But he won’t get to the top.

An Infinity Gauntlet-wielding Thanos, for example, remains one of the MCU’s most formidable forces to be reckoned with at a near-omnipotent level of power. The MCU has yet to show the full scale of the powers boasted by other cosmic beings like the Celestials, although they would presumably be able to give Galactus a run for his money, while Infinity’s apparently omnipotent wish-granting abilities could put Galactus out of existence. Loki, meanwhile, only needs to release the timeline in which Galactus is housed To decimate the evil.

How the MCU Franklin Richards could be stronger than Galactus

Franklin Richards can manipulate reality itself

Rumors suggest that Sue and Reed Richards’ son, Franklin Richards, will debut alongside his parents in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This is supported by the fact that Pedro Pascal portrays an older Reed and that he and Vanessa Kirby’s Sue are already married in the movie. Additionally, set photos have revealed Sue holding a baby, which suggests that it is Franklin or Franklin’s younger sister, Valeria. Granted Franklin and Valeria play major roles in 2015’s “secret wars“Running from comics, that would also be a reason.

Franklin Richards is one of Marvel’s most powerful characters with tremendous reality-warping abilities. He is able to alter reality on a molecular level, even creating pocket universes with his mind alone, and also boasts telepathy and telekinetic powers similar to those of Professor X and his sister, Cassandra Nova. His universal altering capabilities provide the MCU with a significant MacGuffin ready to deploy for almost any eventuality in the multiverse saga, making him of paramount importance to the narrative in a way that significantly sidelines world-swallowing Galactus.

The MCU’s multiverse saga story already established a perfect use of Franklin Richards’ powers

Incursions require Franklin’s intervention

In Marvel Comics, Franklin Richards’ universe-creating abilities play a central role in reforming the multiverse after its destruction in “secret wars.” with incursions already well underway in the MCU—the latest example occurring at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – The multiverse saga is heading towards a state of affairs in which Franklin’s powers will be required. This could go so far as to make Franklin – as is the case in Marvel Comics – the creator of a new universe to house the MCU’s rumored soft reboot.

If that’s the case, it’s no surprise that Marvel might keep his arrival under wraps for now. Franklin’s presence practically makes the future of the MCU a foregone conclusion, with his immense power set dwarfing the likes of Sentry before his debut in thunderbolts*. As it stands, if Franklin Richards debut in The Fantastic Four: First StepsIt might be for the best that the MCU debut of the Fantastic Four introduces one of the most powerful villains.