The new title for Marvel Studios’ upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps may be teasing the introduction of two powerful new heroes connected to Reed Richards and Sue Storm. Marvel’s First Family was quickly revealed to be coming to the MCU after the finalization of Disney’s acquisition of Fox in 2019, though Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach weren’t confirmed as The Fantastic Four’s cast until this February. Anticipation is high, but new updates have boosted excitement even further.

As part of Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Kevin Feige and director Matt Shakman confirmed the upcoming Phase 6 movie has been given a subtitle, now named The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This was revealed alongside a short pre-viz reel providing first look footage of Pascal, Kirby, Quinn and Moss-Bachrach as the Fantastic Four, as well as a more in-depth discussion with Shakman and the cast on stage. One theory explains The Fantastic Four’s title change, and brings two of Marvel’s most powerful heroes into the MCU.

The Fantastic Four’s First Steps Title Could Hint At Franklin & Valeria Richards

While the new First Steps subtitle could refer to the Fantastic Four’s first steps in the MCU, or, as Shakman explained to Entertainment Weekly, could refer to the first steps of the Space Race. However, another theory suggests that The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ new title could hint at the physical first steps of Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s children being taken. This could mean that Franklin and Valeria Richards will be appearing in the upcoming Phase 6 movie, which has been speculated for some time.

Franklin Richards made his Marvel Comics debut in 1968’s Fantastic Four Annual #6, while his younger sister, Valeria, first appeared in 1999’s Fantastic Four (Vol. 3) #15. The pair have been key to decades of Fantastic Four storylines in Marvel Comics, particularly those featuring the Future Foundation and Galactus, both of which are expected to appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Franklin and Valeria were also pivotal in one of Marvel’s biggest crossover events, which will be coming to the MCU in 2027.

Franklin & Valeria Richards’ Debut Would Be Huge For Avengers: Secret Wars

Franklin and Valeria Richards’ debuts in The Fantastic Four: First Steps would provide another piece of the puzzle ahead of the release of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Secret Wars. The Russo brothers were confirmed to be returning to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars at SDCC, and since Secret Wars is one of their self-proclaimed favorite storylines, it’s bound to be adapted faithfully. This could give Franklin and Valeria a huge part to play.

During 2015’s Secret Wars event, Valeria was revealed to be Doctor Doom’s biological child, sending shockwaves through the Richards family at the end of the universe. Franklin also had a huge role, as he was able to use his reality warping abilities to restore the multiverse and create entirely new realities after his father’s battle against Doctor Doom. It would be great to see these stories play out in live-action after Franklin and Valeria’s possible debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.