Why Reed Richards Barely Uses His Powers in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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In a new twist on the Fantastic Four saga, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has garnered impressive success as a live-action interpretation and an intriguing addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, it sparked some discontent among fans due to the perceived absence of Reed Richards’ powers in combat scenes. Although Pedro Pascal portrayed Mr. Fantastic convincingly throughout the film, his character lacked the stretchy agility and intellectual prowess that are hallmarks of the comic book version in fight sequences.

There could be some reasons behind it.

Why Reed Richards doesn’t use his powers to full potential in Fantastic Four

As a die-hard comic book fan, I can’t help but marvel at the breathtaking abilities of Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic. In the pages of my favorite comics, his elasticity is nothing short of extraordinary – even stopping cosmic powerhouses like Galactus in their tracks! However, when it comes to the silver screen, his powers seem to have taken a step back. In the climactic battle, Mr. Fantastic’s impact was surprisingly diminished, leaving me longing for the epic battles I’ve come to expect from the comics.

It’s plausible that the decision to avoid stretch scenes is due to their high costs and heavy reliance on CGI, which Marvel can handle but may choose to avoid unless necessary for the storyline. In this instance, it appears more cost-effective and strategically sound to keep Reed Richards in a less utilitarian form visible to the audience.

In essence, Reed Richards is portrayed as the intellectual powerhouse within the group, often taking on the role of strategist and planner in situations such as those depicted in First Steps. This is why he wasn’t leading by showcasing physical prowess. Instead, he demonstrated his leadership through his intellect, serving as the brainy head of their family unit.

Additionally, it appears that during their ultimate battle, when Galactus elongates him, he experiences discomfort. This suggests that his capacity to stretch isn’t yet fully extended. This is an intelligent touch because it allows for potential character growth in the storyline. Since Reed Richard’s powers and limitations are still unexplored, this leaves room for future development.

Reed could be called upon to take a more prominent role when necessary, which might challenge his abilities and lead him to new heights. By initially presenting Mister Fantastic in a less dominant manner, Marvel might be planning to gradually develop his character over time.

Indeed, it’s a clever narrative choice to make Reed Richards less powerful than his peers, as this adds depth to his character and the stories surrounding him. Additionally, this creative decision might also contribute to cost savings in terms of comic book production.

Perhaps Avengers: Doomsday will require Reed to step up and use his complete stretchy self.

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2025-08-07 11:27