The Fantastic Four: First Steps ends with the team exiling Galactus through a Times Square wormhole. Sue Storm dies forcing him through, then infant Franklin revives her. Galactus is the planet-devouring villain who marked their Earth for consumption. His defeat saves this world and confirms Franklin as the power Galactus wanted.
Marvel Studios released the film in U.S. theaters July 25, 2025. According to TheWrap, Matt Shakman directed it and Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach star as the Four release details. The story does not take place on the main Marvel timeline.
Table of Contents
- Where does this story take place?
- Why does Galactus want Franklin?
- How does the Times Square trap work?
- Who lives, who dies, and why?
- What does Doctor Doom's arrival mean?
Where does this story take place?
The film is set on alternate universe Earth-828. It is a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world. Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben have already served as celebrated heroes for four years there. According to ComicBook.com, that separate history explains their public status at the start Earth-828 background.
They begin as protectors, not origins. The threat arrives from outside. Herald Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer played by Julia Garner, warns Earth. She says Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson, has marked the planet for consumption. The warning forces the team from rescue work to planetary defense.
Why does Galactus want Franklin?
Galactus offers to spare Earth if the team surrenders Franklin Richards. Franklin is the infant son of Reed and Sue. Galactus says the child's Power Cosmic could relieve his hunger and succession curse. Power Cosmic is the energy source behind Galactus and his herald.
Franklin carries it naturally. That makes him fuel and a possible heir in Galactus's eyes. The Four refuse the trade. They will not sacrifice one child for a planet. That refusal drives the rest of the plot.
How does the Times Square trap work?
The Four evacuate New York to Subterranea. They plan to lure Galactus into Times Square. Reed's teleportation portals will open a wormhole and remove him from Earth.
The steps are direct: According to SuperHeroHype, the team turns to Franklin as bait when the original pylon plan breaks down ending breakdown. The infant becomes the lure. Galactus follows him into position.
- move civilians below ground to Subterranea
- draw Galactus to the prepared Times Square site
- activate Reed's portal pylons to open the exile route
- use Franklin as bait after other pylons fail
Who lives, who dies, and why?
Sue Storm overexerts her force fields to push Galactus toward the wormhole. She succeeds and then dies from the strain. Johnny tries to sacrifice himself to finish the job. Shalla-Bal intervenes instead. She seizes Galactus and drags him through the portal herself.
Her turn saves Johnny and completes the exile. Infant Franklin then crawls to Sue. His hands glow as he revives her. The act demonstrates Celestial-level reality-warping and life-restoration power. It explains why Galactus wanted him so badly.
What does Doctor Doom's arrival mean?
A mid-credits scene jumps four years ahead. Sue reads to toddler Franklin in the Baxter Building. A cloaked, mask-holding Doctor Doom appears. According to MovieWeb, text then confirms the team will return in Avengers: Doomsday post-credits explanation.
Doom's interest centers on Franklin. His power makes him the next target. The stakes still stay contained for now. Because the film occurs on Earth-828, not main MCU Earth-616, Galactus's defeat and Sue's death-revival do not directly change main-timeline continuity until the Doomsday crossover.