Avengers: Doomsday Teases a Heart-Wrenching Reed vs. Doom Saga Tied to Fantastic Four

The buzz around Avengers: Doomsday is electric, with speculation swirling about its deep ties to The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Fans are captivated by rumors that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom may target Franklin Richards, the superpowered child of Reed and Sue Richards, setting the stage for a dramatic clash rooted in Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars storyline.

This article dives into how these films connect, exploring whether Avengers: Doomsday will deliver a gut-punching story of rivalry and sacrifice between Reed Richards and Doctor Doom.

Let’s unpack the verifiable details and fan theories lighting up the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Highlights:

• Doctor Doom’s Role: Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom debuts in The Fantastic Four: First Steps mid-credits scene, hinting at his sinister interest in Franklin Richards.

• Franklin’s Power: Franklin Richards, Reed and Sue’s son, wields immense reality-altering abilities, making him a potential target for Doom’s multiversal plans.

• Secret Wars Influence: Avengers: Doomsday may draw from Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars, where Doom’s ambitions reshape the multiverse.

• Reed vs. Doom Drama: The film could center on a personal conflict between Reed Richards and Doom, amplified by their shared history and Franklin’s role.

Is Avengers: Doomsday a Direct Follow-Up to The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set on Earth-828, introduces Marvel’s First Family in a retro-futuristic 1960s-inspired world. Its mid-credits scene, directed by the Russo Brothers, unveils Doctor Doom in a chilling moment where he looms over a young Franklin Richards.

This brief appearance, cloaked in a green cape and holding his iconic metal mask, suggests Doom’s interest in Franklin, tying directly to Avengers: Doomsday. While the Fantastic Four film stands alone, this scene acts as a narrative bridge, setting up Doom’s multiversal threat.

Posts on X describe the scene as “intriguing” and a “massive tease” for the 2026 Avengers film, indicating a clear connection between the two projects.

The film’s focus on Franklin, a toddler with cosmically enhanced DNA, hints that Avengers: Doomsday will build on this foundation.

Unlike other MCU entries that juggle sprawling crossovers, the Fantastic Four’s contained story leaves room for its characters to shine in the larger Avengers narrative, particularly through Doom’s schemes.

Why Is Doctor Doom Obsessed with Franklin Richards?

Franklin Richards is no ordinary child. In Marvel Comics, he’s a mutant with reality-warping powers, capable of reshaping existence itself.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps establishes Franklin as a key figure, with his “unlimited energy” tied to the Power Cosmic, a force also wielded by Galactus and the Silver Surfer.

The mid-credits scene shows Doom fixated on Franklin, possibly recognizing his potential as a tool for multiversal domination.

This aligns with fan theories that Doom’s Avengers: Doomsday role will revolve around exploiting Franklin’s abilities to achieve godlike power, much like in Hickman’s Secret Wars.

On X, fans speculate that Doom’s interest in Franklin could stem from his desire to control or harness the child’s powers for his own ends.

This sets up a deeply personal conflict, as Reed and Sue would fight to protect their son from their arch-nemesis, adding emotional weight to the Avengers film.

How Does Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Wars Shape the Story?

Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars comic is a sprawling epic where Doctor Doom, empowered by cosmic forces, creates Battleworld, a patchwork universe under his control. The Fantastic Four, particularly Reed Richards and Franklin, play pivotal roles in challenging Doom’s reign.

While Avengers: Doomsday won’t be a direct adaptation, verifiable reports suggest it draws inspiration from this storyline. The film’s multiversal scope, pitting heroes like the Fantastic Four and Avengers against Downey’s Doom, mirrors Secret Wars’ high-stakes conflict.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ mid-credits scene fuels speculation that Doom’s plans involve Franklin, much like his comic counterpart’s obsession with power.

Sources note that Doom’s Earth-828 origin, confirmed in the Fantastic Four film, aligns with a unique universe where his rivalry with Reed could take center stage. This setup hints at a narrative where Doom’s ambitions threaten not just the multiverse but the Richards family itself.

Will Reed and Doom’s Rivalry Define Avengers: Doomsday?

The heart of this story may lie in the fraught history between Reed Richards and Victor von Doom. In comics, they’re college rivals whose intellectual battles turn personal, with Doom’s envy of Reed driving his villainy.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps subtly nods to this dynamic, with a brief reference to Latveria, Doom’s fictional nation, hinting at his presence.

The mid-credits scene escalates this, positioning Doom as a direct threat to Reed’s family. Avengers: Doomsday could amplify this rivalry, with Reed, played by Pedro Pascal, facing off against Downey’s Doom in a battle of wits and emotion.

Fans on X are excited about this potential, with some calling it a “heartbreaking showdown” given Franklin’s involvement.

The Russo Brothers, known for emotionally charged MCU films like Avengers: Endgame, are likely to lean into this personal conflict, making Reed and Doom’s clash a central pillar of the story.

Could Franklin Richards Be the Key to Defeating Doom?

Franklin’s role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps positions him as a potential game-changer in Avengers: Doomsday. His reality-altering powers, though not fully explored in the Fantastic Four film, make him a wildcard.

Sources suggest that Franklin could be the key to thwarting Doom’s plans, echoing his comic role in Secret Wars where he helps rebuild the multiverse. This dynamic raises the stakes for Reed and Sue, who must protect their son while facing a multiversal crisis.

The trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, though not yet released, is expected to clarify Franklin’s importance.

For now, the Fantastic Four’s post-credits scene and fan reactions on X point to Franklin as a linchpin, with one user noting he could be “the secret weapon” against Doom.

This adds a layer of hope to an otherwise grim narrative, suggesting the Richards family’s unity could counter Doom’s tyranny.

What’s Next for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga?

Avengers: Doomsday is poised to be a defining chapter in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, building on The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ groundwork.

The focus on Doom and Franklin suggests a story that’s both epic and intimate, blending multiversal chaos with a family-driven drama.

While the Fantastic Four film sets the stage, Avengers: Doomsday will likely expand the scope, bringing in heroes like the Avengers and possibly the X-Men to face Doom’s threat.

Some Closing Thoughts:

The film’s 2026 release, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, promises a climactic resolution to this arc.

For now, fans are left dissecting the Fantastic Four’s mid-credits scene and speculating about Downey’s transformative performance as Doom.

The emotional stakes of a Reed-Doom rivalry, intensified by Franklin’s role, could make this one of the MCU’s most compelling stories yet.

Stay tuned for more updates as Marvel unveils its next chapter.