"Doctor Doom’s Secret Role in Fantastic Four: First Steps Revealed – Is RDJ Returning as Doom and Will Franklin Richards Save the Multiverse?"

Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps has sent shockwaves through the MCU with its explosive post-credits revelation: Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is officially here, setting the stage for Avengers: Doomsday. The iconic villain’s debut ties directly to Franklin Richards, whose cosmic powers may hold the key to saving the multiverse.

This game-changing twist confirms long-standing fan theories while raising urgent questions: Is Doom manipulating the TVA? Will Franklin’s abduction spark Battleworld’s creation? First Steps doesn’t just introduce Marvel’s first family—it reshapes the entire MCU landscape.

Doctor Doom’s Secret Role in Fantastic Four: First Steps Finally Unveiled

The leaked post-credits scene from Fantastic Four: First Steps has confirmed Doctor Doom’s pivotal role in shaping the MCU’s future. The scene reportedly shows Latveria’s dictator manipulating events from the shadows, with subtle hints pointing toward Robert Downey Jr.’s surprise casting as the iconic villain. This aligns with Marvel’s long-term plan to build toward Avengers: Doomsday, where Doom is expected to be the primary antagonist.

What makes this revelation particularly shocking is the implication that Doom may have been orchestrating multiversal events since Phase 4. The scene suggests he’s been observing the Fantastic Four’s activities through unknown means, possibly through advanced sorcery or stolen Stark technology.

The decision to potentially bring back RDJ as Doom is bold – it risks undermining Tony Stark’s legacy but could create fascinating narrative parallels between the two genius inventors.

Wait, does this mean we might get Iron Man vs. Doctor Doom flashbacks? That would explain why they’d want the same actor!

Is Robert Downey Jr. Really Playing Doctor Doom? The Evidence

The post-credits leak reportedly features a shadowy figure removing his mask to reveal RDJ’s face, though some insiders claim this might be an intentional misdirect. Marvel has previously used similar tactics, like showing alternate versions of characters to maintain secrecy. However, multiple sources confirm that Downey has at least recorded voice work for the role, with motion capture sessions rumored to begin soon.

This casting would mark a major departure from the comics, where Doom is traditionally depicted as a Romani man. While some fans have expressed concerns about representation, others argue that RDJ’s acting chops could bring unprecedented depth to Marvel’s most complex villain.

Why RDJ Might Be Perfect for Doctor Doom

• Proven ability to play genius-level intellects (Tony Stark)
• Experience with masked performances (Iron Man suits)
• Star power to anchor the Multiverse Saga’s climax
• Potential redemption arc mirroring his own real-life journey

Franklin Richards: The Child Who Could Save the Multiverse

The film’s second post-credits scene reportedly establishes Franklin Richards as a mutant with reality-warping powers, setting up his crucial role in Avengers: Doomsday. In the comics, Franklin has created entire universes, making him both a target for villains and the potential key to stabilizing the collapsing multiverse. The scene shows Doctor Doom observing Franklin through mystical means, hinting at future confrontations.

This aligns with leaked plot details suggesting Franklin will be central to Doom’s plan to create Battleworld – a patchwork reality made from fragments of destroyed universes. His abilities might explain why the Fantastic Four were brought into the MCU now, as their son’s powers could be the missing piece in the multiversal equation.

Marvel seems to be combining elements from Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four run and Secret Wars – Franklin was crucial in both stories.

But won’t making a kid the multiverse’s savior feel too similar to Wanda’s children in Multiverse of Madness?

How Does Doctor Doom Connect to Galactus in First Steps?

While Galactus serves as the film’s primary antagonist, the post-credit scenes establish that Doom has been manipulating the Devourer of Worlds from the start. One shocking reveal implies that Doom may have engineered the FF’s cosmic ray exposure to create Franklin’s powers, making the entire origin story part of his grand design.

This sets up an intriguing dynamic where Galactus was merely a pawn in Doom’s game – a concept that could pay off in future films when more powerful cosmic entities enter the fray. The film reportedly hints at Doom’s ultimate goal being cosmic-level dominion, not just over Earth but the entire multiverse.

Marvel’s Biggest Risk Yet: Combining Three Major Storylines

By merging the Fantastic Four’s origin, Doctor Doom’s rise, and the multiverse collapse into one narrative, Marvel is taking its biggest creative gamble since Endgame. Early reviews praise the film’s execution but express concern about introducing so many world-altering concepts in a single movie. The post-credits scenes especially risk overwhelming casual viewers with their dense mythology.

What the Fantastic Four Ending Means for Avengers 6

The combined implications of both post-credit scenes suggest Avengers: Doomsday will adapt elements from the Secret Wars comics, with Doom assembling Battleworld from destroyed universes. Franklin Richards appears destined to become the anchor point for this new reality, while the Fantastic Four will likely lead the resistance against Doom’s rule.

This setup creates fascinating possibilities for legacy characters to return as variants, potentially including RDJ’s Iron Man in a new capacity. The bigger question is whether Marvel can maintain suspense when fans already suspect Doom’s ultimate fate as both villain and – in some interpretations – the multiverse’s unlikely savior.

The genius of this setup is that Doom truly believes he’s saving existence, making him a villain you can almost root for.

Almost being the key word – nobody forgets that time he wore his girlfriend’s skin as armor!