The Fantastic Four: First Steps Ending Explained: Who Dies and What Happens To the Heroes After Facing Galactus?
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now available in theaters around the world, so thousands of fans of marvel Movies have been able to enjoy the new production of the MCU on big screen. In that sense, after seeing it, perhaps you were left with some doubts about its outcome. Therefore, in this note, I bring you his ending explained (ending explained). Be careful with the SPOILERS! It is worth specifying that the film is directed by Matt Shakman and it develops throughout 115 minutes of footage, in which Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach shine as protagonists. It turns out that the story is set in a retrofuturistic world inspired by the 60s, where we find ourselves the Marvel First Family facing the most terrifying challenge they have faced to date. And, forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family ties, they must defend Earth from a voracious space god called Galactus and of his enigmatic herald, Silver Surfer. And in case the plan Galactus if devouring the entire planet and all its inhabitants were not bad enough; the situation suddenly becomes something very personal: the villain wants the son of Reed Richards and Susan “Sue” Storm.
The film takes place on Earth 828 and begins when the Fantastic Four have been using their powers to protect the world for 4 years. That’s when Sue Storm discovers that she is pregnant and that she and Reed Richards are about to become parents. Everything seems perfect and ideal, at least until Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) appears and lets them know that a powerful space being, called Galactus, is on the way, and that his goal is to devour the planet and everyone who lives on it. Being the protectors of humanity, the Fantastic Four must find a way to defeat Galactus or try to convince him to leave the planet alone. So they travel to space and reach the villain’s ship, where they learn that the price to pay is too high, since Galactus loves his son, who has infinite cosmic power that makes him the perfect candidate to free him from his insatiable hunger and take his place.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Ending Explained: Who Dies and What Happens To the Heroes After Facing Galactus?
After the birth of the little one Franklin Richards, things have gone from bad to worse for the Fantastic Four and for Earth, in general. Galactus (Ralph Ineson) he has exchanged his efforts to devour the planet for taking Reed and Sue’s son to make him his heir, while Silver Stele (Julia Garner) has thwarted all attempts to keep him at bay. Thus, the team opts for a desperate solution: lure the Devourer of Worlds to New York, using Franklin as bait, to then activate a dimensional portal that takes him to the other side of the universe, preventing him from returning to our planet until humanity is ready to confront him.
In order to avoid a pickle, furthermore, the quartet must make a deal with their former enemy Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser). Although the supervillain makes himself begged, for things of that ego inversely proportional to his height, Sue convinces him that his kingdom of Underground serves as a refuge for the civilian population. Unfortunately for the quartet, it is one thing to plan a ploy against Galactus, and quite another to confront him in person. Moving around New York like a child among sandcastles, the Devourer of Worlds notices the trap. Although this inspires a certain sympathy for those clever little bugs (that is, humans), it does not make him give up his efforts to take the baby. But, when all seems lost, the Fantastic Four receives unexpected help from Silver Wake herself. After that conversation with Johnny in which he reminded him of his original identity Shalla-Bal, the cosmic traveler has decided that she is tired of searching for worlds to satisfy Galactus’ hunger: at the last moment, she pushes her master into the portal, both disappearing heading to who knows where (is it the Negative Zone?).
As if this sacrifice wasn’t tragic enough, it turns out that Sue died during the fight against Galactus. But behold, as if nothing had happened Franklin resurrects his mother. In the end it turns out that the Devourer of Worlds was right, and the little one is the repository of a cosmic power capable of breaking the laws of the universe. Thus, everything returns to normal, and the Fantastic Four prepare to receive another tribute from a grateful humanity in the program Ted Gilbert (Mark Gatiss). A tribute that goes to waste when the alarms go off and the quartet goes out in search of a new adventure: no one said that being the most amazing family in the world was easy.
The Boy Who Challenged Galactus?
In the final battle, the Fantastic Four attempt to negotiate with Galactus, then seek to move Earth to another area of the universe, but everything fails. It is Sue Storm who takes the ultimate initiative and, exhausting her powers to the limit, manages to push Galactus through a transporter that expels him to an unknown region of the universe, possibly even another timeline. Although there is no clear indication that Galactus has died, he is exiled and weakened, with no immediate access to new planets to consume. At his side is no longer Shalla-Bal, who, betraying his master after connecting with Johnny Storm and getting to know humans better, helps the heroes at the crucial moment. Tragedy soon sets in: Sue dies from the extreme effort of using her powers. But just at that moment, something unexpected happens: Franklin, even though he is a newborn baby, resurrects his mother just by touching her. Her eyes reflect the universe, and she utters an enigmatic phrase: “He is much more than us”. The scene makes it clear that Franklin possesses abilities capable of manipulating reality and life, in tune with his version in the comics.
A Plan that Uses Science
It occurs to Reed to use science to save the planet, but to achieve his plan he needs the help and cooperation of all the countries in the world. Reed proposes building a series of bridges that will be placed at key points around the planet, in order to transport it to another universe with a similar solar system, but far from Galactus. This is important because it confirms that, within this reality, there is the possibility of jumping between different universes. Marvel had shown us the multiverse before, but here’s a way for characters or even entire planets to jump from one reality to another, whether to avoid disaster or to call for help.
We know that in Avengers: Doomsday we are going to see many characters that do not appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and that perhaps the Avengers do not exist in this universe and this time, but Reed’s technology can be key to bringing together all the characters that have already been confirmed.
The Power of Sue Storm?
Reed’s plan fails because of Silver Surfer, so they must resort to a plan B, where they are no longer going to move the planet, but rather have Galactus enter the bridge so they can transport him to a place far, far away. When Galactus finally appears, the group realizes that defeating him won’t be so easy, and that danger is imminent. The plan was to trick him, but he is smart and manages to catch Franklin, leading Sue Storm to do the impossible, creating a huge force field and using every last ounce of force to push the giant and save her baby, along with all humanity. This suggests that emotions, love of family and willpower can be the most powerful weapons, and what leads someone to achieve extraordinary things (this is reminiscent of Black Widow’s sacrifice and the enormous difference that a selfless act can achieve).
Franklin and Cosmic Power?
After defeating Galactus, Sue falls to the ground and everything indicates that she is dead. Reed, Johnny and Ben can’t save her and are devastated, but Reed places Franklin on top of his mother and the boy begins to cry and touch her with his hands. Just a few seconds later, Sue opens her eyes (which look like they have galaxies inside) and breathes again, making the little one Franklin applaud with happiness. This is the first sign that Franklin is as powerful as Galactus thought and that little by little those powers will grow and increase, until he becomes one of the most powerful beings in the universe.
Who is Silver Surfer?
Silver Surfer is Galactus’ messenger, but also in charge of searching for and choosing the planets that he is going to devour. After analyzing her language, Johnny discovers that she used to be called Shalla-Bal and that she was some kind of scientist on a distant planet. Her planet was also visited by Galactus, but she sacrificed herself to save it and thus became Galactus’ servant. With this, Johnny reminds her of her own humanity, her own history and all the pain that Galactus has caused, which is what finally convinces her to help them, and to be the one who deals the final blow so that the giant could be defeated, without that Johnny had to sacrifice himself.
The Post-Credits Scene: Doctor Doom Enters the Scene?
Four years later, with Franklin already a small child, a mysterious figure appears in his room: Victor Von Doom. Although his name is not mentioned directly, his appearance without using doors, his staring at Franklin, and the fact that he holds his metal mask in his hand are clear clues. Sue finds him there and looks surprised. This moment anticipates the MCU’s next big threat, likely connected to Avengers: Doomsday, and confirms that Doctor Doom has set his sights on Franklin Richards. The film leaves it up in the air whether their intentions are hostile or manipulative, but makes it clear that their arrival will have profound consequences on the future of the Fantastic Four.
Dr. Doom is on His Way?
The first post-credits scene of Fantastic Four was filmed on the set of Avengers: Doomsday, and it’s a direct connection between the two films, as it lets us see Sue reading a book with Franklin. Afterwards, she gets up and, when she returns to where her son is, she sees him with a man wearing a hood and holding a famous mask in his hand. That character is Dr. Domm, who also has powers and now knows of Franklin’s existence.
Shalla-Bal’s Betrayal and His Redemption?
One of the most surprising story arcs is that of the Silver Surfer. Initially serving Galactus, it is revealed that he accepted the role of saving his planet. When Johnny Storm manages to communicate with her, Shalla-Bal listens to the testimonies of the civilization destroyed by Galactus, and something breaks inside her. In the end, he chooses to betray Galactus, sacrificing himself to save Earth. A gesture that could make her return, in the future, as a heroine of the cosmos, perhaps alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy or the Eternals.
The Mid-Credits Scene: Doctor Doom Enters the Scene?
Four years after the main events, we see Franklin now grown up, intent on reading a book with his mother. Sue walks away for a moment… to find a hooded man holding the baby’s hand on his face when she returns. In silence. He is Victor Von Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., who holds his iconic mask in his hand. He says nothing, but the scene is disturbing: who came looking? The child… or something he thinks he can offer him? There are many theories: he may want to use Franklin’s powers to heal his wounds, or worse, control him. The MCU has just introduced its next big villain.
The Connection with Avengers: Doomsday?
At the end the writing appears: Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday”. It’s not just a time reference: Thunderbolts’ post-credits scene showed a shuttle passing through a dimensional portal. Now we know why: the Fantastic Four are moving towards the main universe, perhaps to pursue Doctor Doom or warn others of his threat. The connection between Doom, Franklin Richards and dimensional bridge technology opens up enormous scenarios: multiverses at war, temporal manipulations and a possible alliance between Doom and other MCU villains.
