From the first scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), Marvel made clear that the stakes have never been higher. You could feel it. A dark energy lurked beneath the surface—something massive, inevitable, and dangerous. And while the movie delivered its share of cosmic chaos, the real threat? That came after the credits rolled.
Let’s break down what’s really going on—and why the MCU just got flipped upside down, especially with Robert Downey Jr.’s major tease.
Phase Six Begins With a Bang
We’re officially in Marvel’s Phase Six, with First Steps as the launchpad for what’s coming next. The film hit theaters on July 25, 2025, and kicks off the final stretch of the Multiverse Saga. This phase ends in 2027 with Avengers: Secret Wars. Before that, we’re heading toward something more explosive: Avengers: Doomsday.
After all the behind-the-scenes drama and Marvel’s decision to move away from the Kang storyline, Doctor Doom is stepping in as the new big bad. And if this film is any indication, he’s not playing around.
That shift in focus isn’t just refreshing—it’s overdue. The franchise is finally leaning into Marvel’s first family, cosmic-level consequences, and Multiverse chaos. In other words, Doom is here to mess everything up.
What About the Other Heroes?
While The Fantastic Four is the clear centerpiece, the rest of the MCU’s roster is also lining up for their next moves. The Thunderbolts are still on the way, and that team of morally gray anti-heroes could find themselves in Doom’s path sooner than later.
Thor hasn’t been seen since his journey with Love, and rumor has it he’ll return with a vengeance. Spider-Man is still lying low after No Way Home (2021), but his next appearance is expected to be tied directly to the Multiverse unraveling. And then there’s Ant-Man—Scott Lang might have survived Quantumania (2023), but he’s seen enough of the Multiverse to become a crucial puzzle piece as things escalate.
Put simply, all roads lead to Doom.
Inside The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The 1960s, But With Superpowers
Marvel took a fun, stylized approach with First Steps, setting the story in Earth-828’s retro-futuristic version of the 1960s. Our new Fantastic Four lineup—Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm—brings heart and humor to a story packed with cosmic consequences.
Galactus Arrives
The villain in this story is Galactus, who doesn’t come to eat the Earth—he comes to claim Franklin, Sue, and Reed’s unborn son. Galactus sees the child as the next vessel for his Power Cosmic. Reed constructs a teleportation bridge to trap the world-eater, but Sue’s brave sacrifice and the Silver Surfer’s final act save the day… or so it seems.
The Bombshell Ending
After Galactus is banished, the world believes Sue is gone. But Franklin—miraculously born—uses his mysterious powers to bring her back. That moment turns everything upside down. Franklin Richards isn’t just a child. He’s a game-changing force, and Marvel made sure we noticed.
Mid-Credits: The Real Story Begins
While the post-credits scene is lighthearted—an animated nod to the 1960s Fantastic Four cartoon complete with classic catchphrases—the mid-credits sequence really matters.
We jump forward four years. A toddler-aged Franklin plays quietly in the Baxter Building. Enter a cloaked figure, kneeling before him with a metal mask in hand: Doctor Doom’s mask.
Marvel has since confirmed what fans immediately suspected—it’s Robert Downey Jr. under the hood. His face isn’t revealed, but his presence? Unmistakable. That scene wasn’t just a tease. It’s a warning: Doom wants Franklin. And he may not be from this universe.
Setting the Stage: Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Coming December 18, 2026, Avengers: Doomsday will feature the biggest lineup Marvel has ever assembled. Directed by the Russo brothers, the film is expected to unite the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Wakandans, and even alternate-universe heroes in a fight against Doom.
If Doom’s plan involves capturing or controlling Franklin’s powers, we may look at a full-scale reality rewrite. This setup has significant ties to Jonathan Hickman’s comic arcs and Secret Wars, where the fate of the Multiverse hangs by a thread.
And remember—this isn’t just any Doom. This one might have Tony Stark’s face.
RDJ’s Big Tease
Shortly after the movie dropped, Robert Downey Jr. posted a telling image on Instagram: West Coast Avengers #35 placed front and center. That issue dives into Doctor Doom’s adopted heir, Kristoff Vernard—ruler of Latveria.
In another post, Downey Jr. is seen listening to music by his son, with that same comic in the background. For MCU fans, this wasn’t subtle. This was a message: He’s back. And he’s not playing Iron Man.
Well… maybe he is. Or a version of him.
Some fans believe this Doom is a variant of Tony Stark—a version jealous of Reed Richards’ fame and legacy, who dons the armor of Doom instead of Iron Man. That would allow Downey Jr. to return to a new role while possibly clashing with remnants of his original character.
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What It All Means for the MCU
Here are the big takeaways:
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Fantastic Four: First Steps didn’t just introduce a new team—it introduced the most important child in the MCU: Franklin Richards.
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The mid-credits scene confirmed Doom is watching—and Robert Downey Jr is playing him.
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Avengers: Doomsday will likely focus on Franklin’s power and Doom’s plan to reshape reality.
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Downey’s cryptic Instagram posts point toward deep comic inspiration, possible identity twists, and a bigger threat than we’ve ever seen.
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And yes—this leads directly into Secret Wars (2027), where universes will collide, and nothing is off the table.
Doom is Inevitable
With Franklin, Doom, and a potential Tony Stark variant in play, we’re staring down one of the wildest, most unpredictable storylines Marvel’s ever attempted.
Phase Six has officially kicked off—and it’s not just the Multiverse at risk. It’s everything.
Brace yourselves. Doom is coming.
