There is a lot to be excited about as a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The franchise will be bringing the Avengers back to screen in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars as the MCU's big heroes will unite to battle Doctor Doom for the fate of the Multiverse. We also just met a new team of heroes in Thunderbolts*, and we'll meet another one in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Fans have been excited to see Doctor Doom make his debut appearance in the MCU, particularly because he'll be portrayed by none other than MCU veteran Robert Downey Jr., who originally played Iron Man throughout the first three phases of the franchise. But the announcement at San Diego Comic-Con last year changed everything, as it was revealed that he would now return as a villain.
However, fans hoping to see him on-screen a little bit sooner are unfortunately set for some disappointment.
Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom won't debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
While this summer's The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks set to be an adventure for the ages with plenty of surprises, an appearance from Robert Downey Jr.'s Victor von Doom unfortunately won't be among them. Although Doctor Doom is indeed the primary antagonist of Marvel's First Family in the comics, he won't be involved in the upcoming Marvel Studios movie confirms director Matt Shakman.
Speaking to Empire Magazine in a new interview, Shakman says: "Doom is not a part of my film, and therefore not a part of my purview." Needless to say, these comments will leave fans who were hoping for an early sneak peek at the MCU's next big bad feeling upset and emotional, but they also raise some eyebrows considering that some reported leaks from test-screenings suggested that Doom may or may not be involved in the film's post-credits stinger / teaser.
Of course, Shakman may not have directed the post-credits scene. The Fantastic Four know all about that, as the post-credits scene of Jakes Schreier's Thunderbolts* featured a post-credits scene that was actually filmed on the set of Avengers: Doomsday by the directors of that movie, the Russo Brothers. Could we see the same with First Steps?
It was the Russos who announced that Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the Marvel Studios franchise at San Diego Comic-Con last summer when it was revealed that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty had been retitled Avengers: Doomsday, confirming long-standing rumors that Kang the Conqueror was being phased out as the Multiverse Saga's primary villain in favor of RDJ's Doctor Doom.
With Avengers: Doomsday being delayed to December 18 2026, it's going to be a while until we see Downey take on the role of Doctor Doom in the MCU. But, even if he truly isn't in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, there is no doubt that this arrival will be a moment in time - one that will absolutely be worth the wait.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in movie theaters on July 25, 2025.