TheFantastic Four: First Stepsintroduced one of theMCU’s most powerful characters yet with Franklin Richards, but whether Franklin is more powerful than the erstwhile arch-villain of the Multiverse Saga, Nathaniel Richards, is a matter for debate. After all, as the villain originally poised to take Thanos’ place (and pose a greater threat), Nathaniel Richards is no pushover.
Although he is never referred to as such in the MCU,Nathaniel Richards is better known as Kang the Conqueror. In Marvel Comics, Kang is the descendant of Reed Richards’ father, who is also called Nathaniel Richards and is also a seasoned time traveler.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsmarked the first time that the powerful young mutant, Franklin Richards, was adapted into live-action. In his MCU debut, Franklin Richards was set up as one of theMultiverse Saga’s most consequential figureswith a pivotal future ahead of him.
Sadly, the same can’t be said for Jonathan Majors’ Kang, as the actor was fired from the MCU followingAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s substandard performanceandMajors’ subsequent assault conviction. Nevertheless, if the two ever meet down the line, it could be quite the match-up.
MCU Franklin Richards' Powers Explained
Franklin Richards swiftly became the central character inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepseven before he was born. After the Fantastic Four journeyed to negotiate with Galactus, theMCU’s latest god-like cosmic arch-villainrevealed thatFranklin boasts the Power Cosmicand is therefore uniquely placed to succeed Galactus in his morbid mission to devour planets until the universe itself dies.
Although Franklin possessing the Power Cosmic is a development unique to the MCU, it speaks to his overall power, which so far seems to mirror that of Marvel Comics’ Franklin.Franklin is a powerful reality-warping mutantwho has already demonstrated one of the most consequential powers seen in the MCU: the power to resurrect.
Franklin does this as a months-old baby, suggesting thateven greater powers are still to manifestina future MCU appearanceonce Franklin gets a better grasp of what he is capable of. Should these powers mirror those of Marvel Comics, then Franklin may soon boast the following abilities:
Until then,simply inspiring Galactus to make a deal to spare a planet in the first place is indicative enough of Franklin Richards’ status. It remains possible that he might have given the devourer of worlds cause for concern had he been older when his family faced off against the villain, as his domination of Galactus has precedent in Marvel Comics.
Franklin has additionally earned the attention of Doctor Doom, the Multiverse Saga’s new arch-villain, who finally made his first appearance inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps’ post-credit scene. Doom’s intentions regarding Franklin are unclear, buthis nonviolent interaction with the young child suggests that he wishes to either kidnap Franklin or use his powers.
MCU Nathaniel Richards' Powers Explained
Nathaniel Richards, AKAKang the Conqueror, was initially the Multiverse Saga’s arch-villain(or, at least, one of them). The MCU’s fifth Avengers movie, now titledAvengers: Doomsday, was initially titledAvengers: The Kang Dynasty, and would have presumably centered on the universal war heralded by the Kang variant, He Who Remains.
This was most overtly set up inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which featured the Council of Kangs and the clearest look at what Kang the Conqueror is capable of as a villain. From this appearance andthose of Kang’s variants, it was made clear thatKang’s main power is his genius intellect.
Although Kang the Conqueror does not possess superpowers like Franklin or other superheroes,he can fabricate incredible tools and weaponswith which to stand up to some ofthe MCU’s most powerful heroes. Among the most useful of these is his armor, which boasts a litany of functions, including:
Kang is also able to traverse the multiverse through the use of his Time Sphere, which was disabled during his exile in the Quantum Realm. He offhandedly remarks about killing a variant of Thor during his travels, which, if true, indicates just how powerful his tech is, given that Thor, in particular, is one ofthe strongest members of the Avengers.
The Kang variant,He Who Remains, positions himself as a godlike figure in the MCU after defeating his variants in a multiversal war(with the help of Alioth) and establishing the Time Variance Authority. Although Loki ultimately outwits him, this suggests that he is possibly the most powerful variant of Nathaniel Richards.
It is notable, meanwhile, that Kang the Conqueror was controversially defeated by Ant-Man and the Wasp.These instances of defeat make Kang the Conqueror distinctly fallibleand possibly vulnerable to the supervillain that has now supplanted him in the MCU: Doctor Doom.
Franklin Richards Is More Powerful
The ability to manipulate and travel through time is no joke, with just the MCU’s Time Stone alone proving how productive time manipulation can be. Manipulating time is likely how Kang the Conqueror was able to defeat the Avengers in multiple timelines. Nevertheless,Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaproved thatdisabling his equipment significantly diminishes his overall power.
Franklin’s ability to warp reality itself places him far beyond most MCU charactersin terms of power. This is no different regarding Nathaniel Richards’ Kang, who has already proven himself to be vulnerable to established MCU heroes.
Should the MCU follow the trajectory of Marvel Comics, then Franklin Richards may be integral to forming a new multiverse after its expected destruction inAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars. Although Kang the Conqueror developed universe-ending weaponry,Franklin’s powers are innate. Furthermore, his capacity to restore life was demonstrated by his earliest super-heroic act.
While Kang is capable of enforcing his will through his technology,Franklin needs only to rely on his will alone to bring about his preferred reality. While this is partially predicated on Franklin Richards being older than he is now,The Fantastic Four: FirstStepsalsoestablished that baby Franklin can instinctively alter reality at his current age.
