Marvel releases first HD look at Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom

There are many elements to look forward to from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the coming days, months, weeks, and yes, years. The long-running franchise is currently figuring out how to bring its current, ongoing Multiverse Saga to a close, and it will do that through the double act of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. There is a lot of excitement about both movies, particularly the possibility of some major returns, and perhaps even more X-Men cameos (as the franchise prepares to introduce Marvel's Mightiest Mutants in the next chapter of the MCU).

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of it all is the fact that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the franchise he kicked off as Iron Man, but in the brand new role of villain Doctor Doom. The character is the archenemy of the Fantastic Four in the comics and he has been one of the villains that Marvel fans have been waiting to see adapted in the MCU. The casting of Downey certainly came as a surprise, but it was the star-power that the franchise needed for its next Thanos-level threat.

There's been much excitement about the arrival of the villain in the MCU and now the studio has unveiled the first official HD look at Downey's antagonist.

Marvel reveals first HD look at Doctor Doom in The Fantastic Four: First Steps' digital release

We can finally talk about it now! Marvel Studios has released The Fantastic Four: First Steps on digital PVOD platforms, meaning that the first official look at Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is now available in full high definition. Of course, if you saw the film in theaters, you've seen the dreaded green cloak already (provided you stuck around after the credits that it!) but to see it now in stunning HD truly is a sight to behold.

Check it out below:

In case you were wondering whether that really is the former Iron Man star, you'll be happy to know that it is indeed! The scene was filmed on the set of Avengers: Doomsday and star Vanessa Kirby (who plays Sue Storm in both The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday) confirmed that Downey was indeed on-set for the cameo appearance.

The scene features Sue Storm reading to her son Franklin when she senses a distubance in the Baxter Building. Upon heading off to investigate it, she returns to the sofa to see Franlon staring at a mysterious figure in a green cloak. That figure leans over the child, showing him his face as he holds his metallic mask. It's the first official look at Doctor Doom in the MCU, and it's the moment that fans were hoping to see - or revisit - when the film made its digital release.

This comes after a Disney EXPO offered up artwork of the villain which has given us a more in-depth look at the suit that Downey will be wearing in the upcoming movie. But, as for the moment, his Fantastic Four cameo is the best official look we have of him. And it's pretty menacing, that's for sure!

Doctor Doom is the MCU's next Big Bad

It feels appropriate that Doctor Doom made his MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Although he is gearing up to become the franchise's new Avengers-level threat, he's also the archenemy of Marvel's First Family in the comics. His debut in the 2025 movie, although brief, was extremely effective as it captured the character's larger-than-life aura without having him utter a single word.

Doctor Doom now replaces Kang the Conqueror as the big bad of the Multiverse Saga that will seemingly unite the Avengers in the not-too-distant future. The villain will seemingly be involved with the incursions that have taken place within the multiverse and perhaps take issue with anyone he deems responsible for them. It's not quite clear how he will be used to take over from Kang, who was initially planned to get the focus of the upcoming fifth Avengers movie, but fans have been expecting some kind of exchange between the two to explain the sudden change in direction to audience members who aren't as up to date on the MCU news.

The Multiverse Saga has felt a little directionless at times, with the franchise's expansion to three movies and three TV shows a year resulting in what some fans believed to be a focus on quantity over quality. But it's clear that there has been a newfound sense of focus ever since the studio shifted its plans and brought in Downey's Doctor Doom as the new enemy.

Earth's Mightiest Heroes will look to save the world again - and the multiverse - from the new threat, but considering that Avengers: Doomsday will lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars, that might be easier said than done. Either way, fans are ready to see Doctor Doom in action.

Avengers: Doomsday arrives in movie theaters on December 18, 2026. Avengers: Secret Wars arrives on December 17, 2027.