Robert Downey Jr. officially makes his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Victor Von Doom in Fantastic Four: First Steps, confirming the villain’s arrival in the franchise during the film’s mid-credits sequence. With the MCU pivoting toward Avengers: Doomsday, fans have been eager to see how the legendary actor’s new role integrates with Marvel’s First Family following their long-awaited debut.
The Mid-Credits Reveal
In the mid-credits scene of Fantastic Four: First Steps, the timeline shifts four years into the future. Viewers see Sue Storm at the Baxter Building with her son, Franklin. After a brief moment away, Sue returns to find Franklin engaged in a conversation with a mysterious, robed figure. While the character’s face remains obscured, the figure holds Doctor Doom’s iconic metal mask, signaling his official entry into the MCU. Although it is visually ambiguous, it has been confirmed that this appearance serves as the formal introduction of Downey Jr.’s iteration of the character.
Doom’s Interest in Franklin Richards
The scene leaves the audience with more questions than answers regarding Doom’s motivations. Throughout First Steps, Franklin is established as an exceptionally powerful being—a fact further highlighted when he successfully resurrects his mother after she sacrifices her energy to save him from Galactus. Given that Galactus previously sought to turn the boy into a planet-eating deity, it is clear that Doctor Doom’s interest in the child is tied to his immense, untapped potential.
The Road to Avengers: Doomsday
Doom’s arrival marks a significant shift in the MCU’s narrative trajectory, especially following the studio’s decision to move away from the Kang storyline. The Fantastic Four are currently navigating a precarious position, having been forced to seek refuge in the main MCU timeline—a development previously teased in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene. As the cinematic universe moves toward the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, fans have one final narrative checkpoint to clear: Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.
