How the ‘Fantastic Four’ Post-Credits Scene Sets Up Doctor Doom and ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Marvel fans finally got their first taste of the Fantastic Four in the MCU with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Directed by WandaVision creator Matt Shakman, the movie introduces audiences to Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn). Their first big challenge? Facing Galactus, the planet-devouring cosmic villain played by Ralph Ineson.

The movie officially kicks off Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a chapter that will build toward the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. And like every big Marvel release, the post-credits scenes give us a glimpse of what’s next.

What Happens in the Mid-Credits Scene?

The first post-credits scene jumps ahead four years after the Fantastic Four’s battle with Galactus. We see Sue Storm at home, reading a bedtime story to her son Franklin Richards. While she steps away for a moment, the family’s robotic assistant, H.E.R.B.I.E., senses something strange. Sue immediately charges her powers and rushes back, only to find a shadowy figure near Franklin.

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The figure’s face is hidden, but Marvel fans instantly recognize the green cloak and mask – this is Doctor Doom. His presence has been teased for months, and this scene marks his official debut in the MCU. For comic readers, this is huge news. Victor von Doom, both a sorcerer and a scientific mastermind from Latveria, has always been the Fantastic Four’s greatest adversary.

Why Is Doctor Doom’s Arrival So Important?

Doctor Doom’s introduction changes the stakes for Phase 6. Last year at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios confirmed that the next Avengers film would be titled Avengers: Doomsday. The reveal also came with another bombshell – Robert Downey Jr. would return to the franchise, but this time playing Doctor Doom instead of Tony Stark.

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What’s intriguing about the scene is Doom’s interest in Franklin Richards. In the comics, Franklin is one of the most powerful mutants in Marvel’s universe. His reality-bending abilities could easily catch the attention of someone like Doom. This encounter might even explain how the Fantastic Four get drawn into the main MCU timeline, known as Earth-616.

How Does This Connect to the Multiverse?

In First Steps, the Fantastic Four live on Earth-828, a retrofuturistic alternate reality that pays homage to co-creator Jack Kirby (born August 28, 1917). However, the post-credits scene hints that Doom’s schemes may cross into Earth-616.

The “Thunderbolts*” post-credits scene already teased the Fantastic Four’s spacecraft, the Excelsior, appearing in the main MCU universe. Could this be the result of Doom kidnapping Franklin? With the multiverse now a central theme, the answer likely involves both interdimensional travel and power struggles between heroes and villains across timelines.

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Interestingly, Marvel’s original plan was for Kang the Conqueror to be the major threat of this phase. But after the legal issues surrounding actor Jonathan Majors in 2023, Marvel pivoted to focus on Doom. Given the way Doom’s character has been set up, this change might actually deliver a stronger, more iconic villain for the long run.

What’s Next for Marvel Fans?

The second post-credits scene is more of a lighthearted bonus, featuring a nod to the Fantastic Four’s animated history. It’s a fun treat for longtime fans, but the real buzz is about what’s coming next.

Avengers: Doomsday is set for release on December 18, 2026. The film will feature the Fantastic Four joining forces with heroes from the Thunderbolts and New Avengers. The cast is stacked with familiar faces like Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), and Tom Hiddleston (Loki), alongside Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and more.

Before we get to Doomsday, Marvel will roll out Wonder Man on Disney+ this December, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Next summer, fans can look forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for July 2026.

The Fantastic Four’s debut has set the stage for a bold new chapter in the MCU – and with Doctor Doom now in play, the path to Avengers: Doomsday promises to be intense and thrilling.