Fantastic Four’s Big Return to the MCU Has Fans Talking
The Fantastic Four are officially back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and they didn’t return quietly. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the first proper MCU film to feature Marvel’s first family, made its debut with plenty of buzz. But once the movie ends, the biggest questions fans are asking online are all the same: Is there a post-credits scene? Is Doctor Doom really back? And does this film actually tie into the larger MCU?
Let’s break down what’s really going on after the credits roll — and what it means for Marvel’s next major crossover event.
Does The Fantastic Four: First Steps Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Yes, the Fantastic Four: First Steps includes not one, but two credits scenes. The more significant one appears midway through the credits. It takes place four years after the film’s emotional final scene. Sue Storm is seen reading a bedtime story to her son, Franklin Richards, when a mysterious robed figure silently appears in the doorway. He’s holding a cold, metallic mask that longtime fans will instantly recognise, it’s Doctor Doom. While we never see his face, director Matt Shakman has confirmed that the man behind the mask is none other than Robert Downey Jr., now stepping into the villainous role of Victor von Doom. That brief appearance alone sent shockwaves through Marvel fans, especially since it firmly sets the stage for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and beyond.
The second scene appears right at the very end, after all the credits have finished rolling. Unlike the mid-credits scene, this one’s more of a playful nod to longtime fans. It features a stylised, retro-animated version of the Fantastic Four — a clear homage to their 1990s cartoon roots. It’s not essential to the plot, but it adds charm and nostalgia for anyone who stuck around until the lights came back on.
Will the Fantastic Four Be in Avengers: Doomsday?
Yes, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps makes that very clear. The mid-credits teaser ends with a simple but exciting promise: The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday. That upcoming film, set for a 2026 release, will see Pascal, Kirby, Quinn, and Moss-Bachrach reprise their roles. They won’t be alone either. Doomsday will bring together multiple Marvel teams, including the Avengers and even the X-Men, as the Multiverse Saga accelerates toward its massive Secret Wars finale.
Is Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four: First Steps?
He is, but only briefly. As mentioned earlier, Doctor Doom appears in the mid-credits scene, cloaked in shadow and holding his iconic mask. We never see his full face, but it was later confirmed that the character is played by Robert Downey Jr., making a surprise return to the MCU in a completely new role.
It’s a bold move by Marvel, and one that ties directly into future multiversal storylines. With Kang’s arc now on uncertain ground, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Doom may step in as the saga’s next major threat. This brief cameo is only the beginning.
Is Fantastic Four: First Steps Officially Part of the MCU?
This is where things get interesting. Technically, First Steps is set in a different universe, specifically Earth‑828. So while the story doesn’t directly reference the Avengers or the events of Earth‑616 (the main MCU timeline), the credit scenes clearly lay the groundwork for crossover.
By placing the Fantastic Four in a parallel reality, Marvel gives itself more freedom to tell an origin story without getting tangled in existing MCU continuity. But the final moments of the film make it clear: the multiverse is about to collapse in on itself, and these characters are heading toward the centre of it all.
Bonus Insight: Why the Post-Credit Scenes Matter
- Phase Six Kickoff: First Steps is the first major release in Marvel’s Phase Six, which will include Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, and Secret Wars.
- Franklin Richards is the Key: In the film, Franklin’s reality-bending powers draw attention from Galactus, and now, Doom. He’s likely to play a central role in future multiversal events.
- Doom Over Kang?: With Kang's story uncertain, Robert Downey Jr.'s Doom may take centre stage as the new big bad for the MCU.
- Nostalgia With Purpose: The final animated gag scene isn’t just for fun, it reminds fans where the Fantastic Four came from, while signalling that big things are ahead.
Conclusion
Fantastic Four: First Steps does more than just introduce Marvel’s first family to a new generation, it kicks off what could be the most ambitious era of the MCU yet. With two very different post-credits scenes, one playful, one game-changing, Marvel signals that the multiverse is cracking open in a big way. Whether you're in it for the nostalgia or the future crossovers, one thing is clear: the Fantastic Four are back, and they’re not alone.
