In Marvel Comics, Doom’s fixation on Franklin is legendary. He views the boy’s near-limitless powers as the key to creating and ruling Battleworld, a twisted reality of his own making as seen in Secret Wars.

In their MCU debut, the Fantastic Four become a Fantastic Five with the arrival of Reed and Sue's son, Franklin Richards. Worries that he might not be "normal" are confirmed in Fantastic Four: First Steps when Galactus recognises that the boy can wield an unlimited energy known as the Power Cosmic (presumably because of the "cosmically compromised DNA" shared by both of his parents).

Franklin Richards is an important character for the future of the MCU – and if it’s faithful to the comics, he’ll be incredibly powerful.

As Fantastic Four: First Steps heads towards its final act, the group is torn between two impossible choices: sacrifice all of Earth to Galactus, or Reed and Sue must give up their child Franklin, who contains the Power Cosmic and enough energy to satiate Galactus' hunger.

Curious why Franklin Richards plays such a key role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps mid-credits scene and how it connects to the Multiverse saga? The powerful child holds abilities that could reshape reality,

First Steps director Matt Shakman addresses a big Sue Storm moment in the movie's final act and reveals original plans for Franklin Richards' Marvel Cinematic Universe's introduction.

So does RDJ’s Doctor Doom pop up in the new Fantastic Four movie? Well, sort of.

There's a fifth member of Marvel's First Family with a very important role to play... Warning: big spoilers ahead!