The superhero epic Fantastic Four: First Steps truly delivers a monumental final battle. It’s a triumphant moment for our heroes, but the question on everyone’s mind is, do they all make it out alive?
Warning: Major spoilers for Fantastic Four: First Steps ahead.
In the 2025 superhero film, directed by Matt Shakman, we see the iconic team trying to save Earth. Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, played by Pedro Pascal, teams up with Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, played by Vanessa Kirby. Ben Grimm, The Thing, brought to life by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, played by Joseph Quinn, complete the heroic quartet. Their massive challenge? Stopping the cosmic being Galactus, voiced by Ralph Ineson, and Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner, from destroying our home planet.
Galactus reveals a chilling demand to the team. He claims the only way to spare everyone on Earth is for Sue and Reed to hand over their unborn child. The cosmic giant believes this baby is an all-powerful being. He insists the infant can absorb his strength, finally allowing him to rest after ages of bringing chaos across the cosmos. Reed tries to reason with Galactus during a dangerous space journey. He argues that his own tests show their child won’t be born with any superhuman powers. Galactus, however, strongly disagrees with this idea.
After Reed and Sue’s baby, Franklin Richards, is born, the team makes a daring escape from Galactus’s lair aboard a spaceship. They quickly come up with a clever plan. They decide to lure Galactus to Times Square in New York. Their goal is to trick him into thinking they will surrender their child. This is their last hope to stop his destruction and threats. Johnny also makes a heartfelt plea to Silver Surfer, whose real name is Shalla-Bal. He offers her a safe journey back to her home planet, hoping she will turn against Galactus and protect Earth instead.
The superheroes work fast to evacuate the entire city. They then build a special portal, hoping to banish Galactus into a void far away. Reed, ever the inventor, crafts a special baby carrier for Franklin. It’s tough, designed to withstand both bullets and fire, keeping the baby safe during the chaos.
But the original plan quickly goes sideways. Galactus breaks right into the Fantastic Four’s headquarters and snatches Franklin. This forces Sue to make an impossible choice, one that has brought tears to many Marvel fans. Keep reading to find out which character meets a tragic end in this MCU movie.
Who Dies in ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’?
Sue Storm makes the ultimate sacrifice to keep Galactus from taking her child out of New York City. She pushes her powers to the absolute limit. She tries to force Galactus into the portal with all her might. Reed desperately pleads with her to stop, telling her it’s too much for her body to handle. Galactus tumbles into the portal, while Reed reaches out, trying to pull Franklin from the villain’s grasp. Just as Galactus disappears, Sue collapses to the ground.
Right when it seems the chaos is over, Galactus suddenly bursts back out of the portal. Johnny, seeing the danger, decides he will also sacrifice himself to save his nephew Franklin. He prepares to give his own life, but then Silver Surfer arrives. She pushes Galactus back through the portal, saving everyone just in time.
Does Sue Storm Come Back to Life in ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’?
Reed, Johnny, and Ben rush to Sue’s lifeless body. They all break down in tears, realizing she is truly gone. Reed gently places Franklin on Sue’s chest for one last, incredibly emotional moment between mother and son. Then, something unbelievable happens. The group is completely shocked as Franklin places his tiny hands on Sue’s chest. He uses his emerging powers to successfully bring her back to life. It’s the biggest twist in the entire story. After waking up, Sue tells Reed that Franklin can use his powers for good. She also realizes he is much stronger than they ever imagined.
Is Franklin the Most Powerful Being in the MCU?
Some fans might already know the character Franklin from the Fantastic Four comic books. He has a very wide range of abilities. These include psychic powers like reading minds and projecting his consciousness. He can also change and duplicate matter. Many fan communities consider him one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is because he can literally change reality just by thinking about it.
The Fantastic Four team is set to return in Avengers: Doomsday in 2026. We can certainly expect to see more of Franklin’s amazing capabilities taking center stage in that upcoming story.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters.