5 Shocking Ways The MCU’s Susan Storm Is Redefining The Fantastic Four’s Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman, Susan Storm, is about to undergo the most radical transformation in her 60-year history, fundamentally redefining her role for a new generation. As of late 2025, the buzz surrounding the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, confirms that the character is not just being rebooted but is being elevated to a central position of power and authority. This shift is so significant that it has already begun to be reflected in the current Marvel Comics continuity, making this the freshest take on the First Lady of Marvel.

The traditional narrative of the scientist's girlfriend who gains powers is gone. Instead, the modern Susan Storm is positioned as the true, undisputed leader of the team—a change that is both long overdue and incredibly exciting for the future of the Fantastic Four franchise. With new casting, a new leadership dynamic, and a focus on her immense, often-underestimated powers, the Invisible Woman is finally stepping out of the shadow of her invisibility and into the spotlight.

The Invisible Woman: Susan Storm's Essential Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Susan "Sue" Storm-Richards
• Alias: Invisible Girl (Original), Invisible Woman (Current)
• First Appearance: The Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961)
• Creators: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
• Team Affiliations: Fantastic Four, Avengers, Future Foundation, Secret Avengers
• Family: Reed Richards (Husband/Mister Fantastic), Johnny Storm (Brother/Human Torch), Franklin Richards (Son), Valeria Richards (Daughter)
• Powers: Invisibility (rendering herself and others unseen) and Force Field Generation (creating powerful, invisible, and often geometric energy constructs).
• Notable Storylines: Galactus Trilogy, Civil War, Secret Wars, The Malice Saga.
• MCU Portrayer: Vanessa Kirby (Confirmed for The Fantastic Four: First Steps)

1. Sue Storm is The Official Leader of the Fantastic Four (Not Reed Richards)

This is arguably the biggest, most current development for the character. For decades, the team's dynamic was simple: Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) was the leader, the brains, and the one who called the shots. Susan Storm was often relegated to the role of the heart, the moral compass, and the protective mother.

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The MCU's New Dynamic. Multiple sources and producers involved with the upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, have confirmed that Sue Storm is the true leader of the team. This shift is not just a cosmetic change; it repositions her as the primary strategist and decision-maker, giving her a level of authority that matches her formidable power set. This change has also been reflected in recent Marvel Comics continuity, where she is now consistently shown to be the one in charge, finally replacing the traditional narrative.

Topical Authority Insight: This move is a direct response to modern storytelling demands, recognizing that Sue's ability to create force fields and maintain order makes her a superior tactical leader in many combat situations, contrasting with Reed's often-distracted scientific focus.

2. Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm is Pregnant in the MCU Film

A surprising and highly unique detail that has emerged about the MCU's iteration of the character is that Sue Storm is pregnant during the events of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This is a massive deviation from the standard origin story and presents a fascinating narrative challenge.

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The Stakes are Higher. Introducing a pregnancy into the origin story immediately raises the emotional stakes. Sue is not just fighting to save the world, but to protect her unborn child—likely the future Franklin Richards, one of the most powerful mutants in the Marvel Universe. This detail ensures that Sue Storm's protective instincts, a core part of her character, are front and center from her very first appearance.

Actress Preparation. Actress Vanessa Kirby has spoken about how she prepared for the role, including studying Quantum Physics to better understand the scientific basis of her powers, and also discussing the unique challenge of portraying a superhero who is also expecting.

3. The Evolution of Her Force Field Powers and Malice

Susan Storm’s powers have dramatically evolved over the years, moving far beyond simple invisibility. Her primary offensive and defensive tool is her ability to generate powerful, invisible psionic force fields.

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• Internal Attacks: Sue can generate force fields *inside* an opponent, a terrifying ability that allows her to incapacitate foes instantly by expanding a field within their body.
• Force Constructs: She can create complex, geometric shapes—like ramps, cages, or hammers—out of pure force, making her a formidable combatant on par with The Thing.
• Emotional Link: In some storylines, her power is shown to be linked to her emotional state, with strong emotions fueling her ability to create force fields.

The Malice Threat. Adding to the intrigue, Vanessa Kirby has expressed a strong desire to explore the character's evil alter-ego, Malice, in future MCU films. Malice is a dark, aggressive personality that sometimes takes over Sue, drastically increasing her powers and making her one of the most dangerous entities in the Marvel Universe. This potential storyline promises to explore the darker, more powerful side of the Invisible Woman that is rarely seen.

4. Sue Storm's Academic Background is Now a Focus

The latest comic book developments are highlighting Susan Storm's professional life outside of being a superhero. Recent previews for the *Fantastic Four* comic line show Susan Storm being called in for her expertise not as the Invisible Woman, but as a professional archaeologist.

This subtle but important shift recognizes her as an accomplished academic in her own right, separate from her relationship with Reed Richards, who is often portrayed as the sole genius. By giving her a professional identity and passion, Marvel is further cementing her role as a fully realized, multi-faceted character who contributes to the world of science and exploration just as much as her husband and brother, Johnny Storm (Human Torch).

5. The MCU is Embracing a More Mature, Experienced Team

Unlike previous film iterations that focused heavily on the origin story of young adults, the MCU's approach, particularly with the casting of established actors like Vanessa Kirby, signals a move towards a more mature and already established Fantastic Four. The title, *First Steps*, suggests this might be the first time *we* see them, but not necessarily the first time *they* have been a team.

The choice to make Sue the leader, to have her pregnant with Franklin, and to focus on her immense, evolved powers (such as her use of force fields during the Civil War storyline in the comics) all point to a character who is already a seasoned hero. This approach allows the film to bypass repetitive origin tropes and jump straight into the complex dynamics and high-stakes adventures the Fantastic Four are known for, with Sue Storm leading the charge.

The era of the "Invisible Girl" is definitively over. With Vanessa Kirby embodying a pregnant, powerful, and unequivocally leading Invisible Woman, the MCU is poised to deliver the most authoritative and compelling version of Susan Storm the screen has ever seen, solidifying her status as one of the most important figures in the entire Marvel Universe.