The Fantastic Four: First Steps Mid-Credit Scene Unveils Doctor Doom’s Mysterious Motives

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains major spoilers for the mid-credit scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps and discusses plot points that may reveal key details about the film and upcoming MCU projects.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Mid-Credit Scene has set the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) abuzz with speculation, introducing Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in a chilling moment that hints at his motivations and future arc.

Set four years after the film’s main events, this brief but pivotal scene features a cloaked figure, confirmed to be Victor von Doom, looming over Franklin Richards, the superpowered son of Reed and Sue Storm.

Directed by the Russo Brothers, this teaser not only marks Doom’s MCU debut but also lays the groundwork for Avengers: Doomsday (December 2026). Below, we break down the scene’s implications, exploring what it reveals about Doom’s intentions and his role in the MCU’s multiversal saga.

Key Takeaways:

• Doctor Doom’s MCU Debut: Robert Downey Jr. appears as Victor von Doom in The Fantastic Four: First Steps mid-credit scene, set four years after the main story, engaging with Franklin Richards.

• Franklin Richards’ Role: The scene suggests Doom is targeting Franklin, whose godlike powers may be central to his plans in Avengers: Doomsday.

• Multiversal Ambitions: Doom’s presence on Earth-828 and hints of multiversal travel point to a larger scheme, possibly involving reality manipulation.

• Connection to Avengers: Doomsday: The scene, directed by the Russo Brothers, confirms the Fantastic Four’s return in the 2026 crossover, with Doom as the main villain.

Why Is Doctor Doom Targeting Franklin Richards?

The mid-credit scene shows Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) reading to her son Franklin in the Baxter Building, only to find a cloaked figure holding a silver mask kneeling before him upon her return.

This figure, confirmed by Vanessa Kirby and director Matt Shakman to be Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, is clearly fixated on Franklin, whose cosmic powers were revealed in the film’s main plot.

In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Galactus (Ralph Ineson) sought Franklin for his “power cosmic,” hinting at the child’s potential to reshape reality. Doom’s interest likely stems from Franklin’s abilities, which in Marvel Comics include creating pocket universes and manipulating reality itself, as seen in the 1996 Heroes Reborn event where Franklin saved heroes by crafting a new world.

Doom’s focus on Franklin suggests a calculated motive: harnessing or controlling the child’s powers for his own ends. In the comics, Doom has a history of seeking godlike power, notably in Secret Wars (2015), where he rewrote reality with Franklin’s aid.

The scene’s setting, four years after the film, implies Doom has been plotting, possibly observing Franklin’s growing abilities. His presence in the Baxter Building, uninvited and undetected, underscores his cunning and potential multiversal capabilities.

Is Doctor Doom From Earth-828 or Another Universe?

The film’s setting on Earth-828, a retro-futuristic universe distinct from the main MCU’s Earth-616, raises questions about Doom’s origins. The scene doesn’t clarify whether this is Earth-828’s Victor von Doom or a variant from another universe, but subtle clues point to the latter.

The film references Latveria, Doom’s fictional kingdom, through an empty seat at a global meeting, suggesting a local Doom exists.

However, the mid-credit scene, shot by the Russo Brothers during Avengers: Doomsday production, implies this Doom may be a multiversal traveler, aligning with rumors that Downey’s Doom hails from a different reality, possibly resembling Tony Stark due to multiversal convergence.

This ambiguity fuels speculation about Doom’s motivations. If he’s a multiversal variant, his interest in Franklin could involve using the child’s powers to dominate or merge realities, a goal consistent with his comic book ambition to rule all existence.

Alternatively, if he’s Earth-828’s Doom, his history with Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), hinted at in the comics as a rivalry from their college days, may drive a personal vendetta, with Franklin as a means to hurt his rival.

What Does This Mean for Avengers: Doomsday’s Story Arc?

The text “The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday” at the scene’s end confirms the team’s role in the 2026 crossover, where Doom is the central antagonist.

The scene’s focus on Franklin suggests he’s a key piece in Doom’s plan, possibly as a tool to manipulate the multiverse. In Secret Wars (2015), Doom used Franklin’s powers to create Battleworld, a patchwork reality under his control.

The MCU may adapt this, with Doom aiming to reshape the multiverse, especially after Thunderbolts*’ post-credit scene showed the Fantastic Four’s ship entering Earth-616, hinting at a multiversal chase.

Doom’s motivations likely blend personal ambition with cosmic stakes. His comic book persona is driven by ego, intellect, and a desire to prove his superiority, often over Reed Richards.

The mid-credit scene’s intimate setting, with Doom engaging Franklin directly, suggests a manipulative approach, possibly exploiting the child’s trust.

This could force the Fantastic Four to pursue Doom across dimensions, tying their family-driven narrative to the larger MCU conflict involving Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Anthony Mackie), and others confirmed for Doomsday.

How Will Robert Downey Jr.’s Casting Shape Doom’s Character?

Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU, after playing Tony Stark from 2008 to 2019, adds layers to Doom’s portrayal. Vanessa Kirby described Downey as a “Godfather” on set, suggesting a commanding, charismatic performance.

Unlike Stark’s heroic wit, Doom is a tragic, disfigured genius whose intellect rivals Reed’s but is marred by arrogance and obsession. The scene’s refusal to show Doom’s face, despite Downey’s confirmed presence, may hint at his comic-accurate scars, building anticipation for a reveal in Doomsday.

Alternatively, the resemblance to Stark, as speculated in some reports, could reflect a multiversal twist where Doom is a corrupted version of Tony, driven by envy or failure.

Downey’s involvement, confirmed at Comic-Con 2024, indicates Marvel’s intent to make Doom a compelling, empathetic villain, akin to Thanos in Infinity War.

His pursuit of Franklin suggests a mix of strategic brilliance and personal vendetta, setting up a conflict that could redefine the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.

What’s Next for the Fantastic Four and Doom?

The mid-credit scene’s implications extend beyond Doomsday to Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), where Doom’s multiversal ambitions may peak.

The Fantastic Four’s emotional stake - protecting Franklin - grounds the cosmic scale, making their role pivotal.

Doom’s motivations, whether power, revenge, or both, position him as a formidable foe, challenging the Avengers and Fantastic Four to unite across realities.

Some Closing Thoughts:

The Fantastic Four: First Steps mid-credit scene is a masterstroke of MCU setup, introducing Doctor Doom with just enough mystery to spark endless theories.

As fans await Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026, Franklin Richards emerges as the key to Doom’s plans, promising a thrilling clash of intellect, power, and family.

Stay tuned for more MCU revelations as the multiverse unfolds.