The Marvel Cinematic Universe has always thrived on spectacle, but its upcoming narrative arcs promise to delve into cosmic depths that even the most ardent fans might not anticipate. At the heart of this unfolding saga is Franklin Benjamin Richards, the unassuming son of Reed and Sue Richards from the Fantastic Four. While Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom has sent shockwaves through fandom, comic lore suggests that Franklin, a mere child in appearance, wields power that eclipses even the formidable Victor von Doom. According to Marvel’s intricate multiversal mythology, Franklin is destined to become the “Devourer of Worlds” in the Ninth Cosmos, a title that carries both awe-inspiring might and a heavy cosmic burden.

For those unfamiliar with the comics but intrigued by recent MCU developments, Franklin Richards is no ordinary child. Born to two of Marvel’s most iconic heroes, he is a mutant of unparalleled potential, imbued from birth with the Power Cosmic—a force most famously associated with Galactus, the planet-consuming entity known as the Devourer of Worlds. This power grants Franklin abilities that stretch beyond imagination: reality manipulation, energy projection, and the capacity to reshape existence itself. Unlike Doctor Doom, whose intellect and sorcery make him a terrestrial titan, Franklin’s potential is cosmic in scope, positioning him as a linchpin in the Marvel multiverse’s cyclical narrative of birth, death, and rebirth.

The Marvel multiverse operates on a grand cycle, with each iteration—termed a Cosmos—undergoing creation and destruction. To date, eight such cycles have occurred, each marked by its own Devourer of Worlds, a figure responsible for facilitating the transition between cosmoses. The earliest cosmoses, from the First to the Third, lack detailed records of such entities, possibly because the concept of a Devourer had not yet crystallized. By the Fourth Cosmos, however, the Primal Devourers—archetypes of good and evil—emerged as the first to bear this mantle. The Fifth Cosmos remains shrouded in mystery, with its Devourer unnamed. In the Sixth Cosmos, Moridun, a former Sorcerer Supreme turned Devourer, took the name Omnimax. The Seventh and Eighth Cosmoses, where much of Marvel’s current storytelling unfolds, are dominated by Galan of Taa, better known as Galactus.

Galactus, a figure both revered and feared, is not merely a villain but a cosmic necessity. His role as Devourer is to consume worlds, paving the way for the multiverse’s renewal. The Eighth Cosmos, an unusual extension of the Seventh orchestrated by the enigmatic Beyonders, continues to feature Galactus in this role. But the Ninth Cosmos, yet to come, heralds a seismic shift. Franklin Richards, with the Power Cosmic coursing through him, is poised to inherit this mantle, earning him the moniker “Appointed Prince.” While other candidates might emerge should Franklin perish prematurely, his unique birthright makes him the prime contender.

This destiny, however, is no simple crown. The role of Devourer of Worlds is both a great responsibility and a profound curse. It demands the destruction of entire worlds to ensure the multiverse’s continuity, a task that weighs heavily on those chosen. Galactus, for all his fearsome reputation, is not inherently malevolent; he is a force of balance, a cosmic gardener pruning existence to allow new growth. Franklin’s potential ascension to this role underscores his extraordinary power, surpassing even Doctor Doom’s formidable blend of science and sorcery. Where Doom seeks to dominate, Franklin is fated to transform, wielding a power that could reshape reality itself.

For fans who’ve followed the comics, Franklin’s significance is no surprise. His abilities have been hinted at in stories where he creates pocket universes or alters reality with a thought. For newcomers drawn in by the MCU’s expansion, Franklin represents a tantalizing glimpse into the franchise’s future. As the Fantastic Four join the cinematic spotlight, his role as the “Appointed Prince” promises to elevate the stakes beyond earthly conflicts. Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom may captivate audiences with his charisma and menace, but Franklin Richards, the child destined to devour worlds, holds the key to the Marvel multiverse’s next chapter. As the Ninth Cosmos looms, all eyes will be on this young mutant, whose power could redefine the very fabric of existence.