Whereas The Incredible 4: First Steps introduces a contemporary set of heroes for the MCU, there’s plenty of chatter a few new villain that’s set to shake up the story in an enormous manner.
Spoilers for The Incredible 4: First Steps and potential future MCU content material under – the most recent Marvel movie is out now.
As the primary villain of Marvel’s Multiverse saga, everyone seems to be anticipating Victor von Doom’s arrival.
Marvel has already made it clear that Robert Downey Jr. shall be returning to play the character, however other than that, Kevin Feige and co. have remained tight-lipped about once we can count on to see one of many OG dangerous guys.
As a particular villain to this sequence, many expect Physician Doom to make an look in The Incredible 4: First Steps. However did that really occur, or was it wishful pondering? Hold studying to seek out out.
Does Physician Doom seem in The Incredible 4: First Steps post-credits scene?
Sure, Physician Doom seems within the post-credits scene. The scene is ready 4 years after the occasions of the movie. Sue Storm is studying The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Franklin earlier than handing her son a distinct guide.
When she turns again round, a mysterious cloaked determine is face-to-face with the kid, holding Physician Doom’s iconic silver masks.
There was hypothesis that this may very well be a double bluff and that it’s another person with Doom’s costume, however a latest interview with director Matt Shakman seemingly dispels that concept – extra on this under.
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Wait, who’s Physician Doom?
Physician Doom, who’s also called Victor von Doom, is likely one of the Incredible 4’s most fearsome enemies.
He was first launched in 1962 as a scientist from fictional Jap European nation Latveria. Doom and Richards go manner again, with the pair assembly as college students. However since then, it’s truthful to say that Doom took a distinct path.
He ended up getting horribly scarred after a machine he invented exploded, which led to him sporting a masks and a go well with of armour. He later returned to Latveria as its monarch, however after that style of energy, he determined he needed world domination. Therefore, his conflicts with the Incredible 4 and different Marvel heroes.
What’s fascinating in regards to the MCU’s Doom is who’s taking part in him. Although, to be clear, we by no means see this actor’s face in The Incredible 4: First Steps.
Why is Robert Downey Jr. again within the MCU?
When Tony Stark was killed off again in Avengers: Endgame, no one anticipated to see Robert Downey Jr. within the MCU once more. Nevertheless, this all modified in 2024, when it was introduced that he was the person behind that iconic-as-ever masks.
Whereas it’d appear to be a random selection, it truly makes plenty of sense when you dig deeper. One of many greatest adjustments within the Multiverse Saga was the introduction of Variants, which resulted in a few of our favorite characters taking over solely new super-identities in several realities.
If we are able to have Peggy Carter taking over the enduring protect utilized by Steve Rogers, and Maria Rambeau as Captain Marvel, it makes good sense for a Variant of Tony Stark to develop into Physician Doom — particularly if he by no means has the redemption arc that led to him turning into Iron Man within the first place.
It’s value remembering Stark and Doom have loads in frequent — they’re each tech geniuses with extraordinarily highly effective, armoured fits. They simply took very completely different paths to get to that time, and use their powers in a different way.
Certainly, within the 2016 comedian, The Notorious Iron Man, Doom truly turns into Iron Man, donning his armour and making an attempt to show over a brand new leaf following Stark’s (momentary) loss of life. Feige could also be engaged on a twistier model of that storyline.
Matt Shakman was requested instantly on the Section Hero podcast about whether or not the Doom we see within the post-credits scene of The Incredible 4: First Steps is performed by Downey, to which he replied. “Sure, sure.”
So, the choice to not present Downey’s face is fascinating. Doom is thought for having a scarred face, so maybe they’re simply holding the look a shock till Doomsday?
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What Physician Doom means for the MCU
To this point, the Multiverse saga has been all about world-building and establishing a brand new era of Avengers. However with the arrival of Physician Doom, issues are set to gear up a notch.
He’s anticipated to make his first look in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, which is basically primarily based on the Doomsday comedian guide storyline. This explores the idea of incursions, the place completely different universes collide. Naturally, the Avengers, Incredible 4, and X-Males got down to cease issues from occurring, as confirmed by the insane solid checklist:
The upcoming film differs from the comics as a result of Doom is predicted to play extra of an expansive villain function to arrange his remaining battle with the Avengers in Secret Wars.
So, in brief, Physician Doom represents the primary antagonist of the whole Multiverse Saga, very like Thanos did within the Infinity Saga.
Why The Incredible 4 are key for the subsequent Avengers movie
On condition that Physician Doom is technically a Incredible 4 villain, it’s truthful to say that Marvel’s first super-family is ready to play a big function within the motion pictures to come back.
As established within the post-credit scene, Doom is enamoured by Franklin’s reality-bending powers. Whereas his villainous motives appear unclear for now, the comics have at all times depicted Doom as wanting to make use of Franklin’s powers for his personal acquire. Naturally, we are able to count on some pushback from his dad and mom, Reed Richards and Sue Storm. Maybe the inevitable kidnapping of Franklin is what places all the pieces into movement.
© 2025 twentieth Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.
Richards additionally performs a pivotal function within the Secret Wars comedian storyline. It’s he and Doom who conflict in an epic battle to find out the destiny of the multiverse. Reed additionally performs a giant half in placing actuality again collectively.
Whereas they’ve Professor Hulk on-side, one of many issues the Avengers is missing is a strategic thoughts — and with Richards becoming a member of the fray, the multiverse could properly find yourself being saved in spite of everything.
Finally, the arrival of the Incredible 4 and Physician Doom ushers in a brand new period for MCU, and it appears prefer it’s going to be essentially the most thrilling one but.
The Incredible 4: First Steps is out now in cinemas within the UK and the US. UK readers can guide tickets on Vue, Showcase, Odeon or Cineworld. US Marvel followers can pre-order them from AMC Theatres, Fandango and Atom Tickets.
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