The year 2025 is shaping up to be monumental for Marvel, with projects spanning various media. Yet, none are as highly anticipated as The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This film is not just the launchpad for Phase 6 of the MCU; it’s the definitive introduction of Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards and the iconic Fantastic Four family into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans are hopeful that this movie will finally deliver the exceptional Fantastic Four adaptation they’ve been waiting decades for.
Enthusiasm is building rapidly following the release of the teaser trailer for First Steps. The trailer offers a closer look at the core foursome and provides a first glimpse of formidable antagonists like Ralph Ineson’s Galactus and John Malkovich’s enigmatic character. However, for many ardent fans, a pivotal question looms large: where is Doctor Doom, and specifically, could Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom be lurking in the shadows of the Fantastic Four’s debut? Let’s delve into the trailer’s hints and omissions to speculate about the potential presence of Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps – Trailer 1 Stills
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Galactus looms over the cityscape in a scene from the Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer, showcasing his immense scale and humanoid form.
The Doctor Doom Question: Is Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom Waiting in the Wings?
Marvel sent shockwaves through the fandom at San Diego Comic-Con the previous year with the revelation that The Avengers 5 had been retitled The Avengers: Doomsday, and that Doctor Doom would be portrayed by none other than Robert Downey Jr. This casting announcement, especially considering the rich and often adversarial history between Doctor Doom and Iron Man in the comics, was both unexpected and incredibly intriguing. Fans are now intensely curious about how the Fantastic Four movie might lay the groundwork for Doctor Doom to emerge as a significant, Avengers-level threat within the MCU.
As expected, Marvel Studios is keeping details tightly under wraps. The First Steps teaser trailer offers no explicit clues regarding Doctor Doom’s presence. If anything, it emphasizes a deliberate shift in approach from previous Fantastic Four cinematic iterations. In earlier films, Julian McMahon’s Doctor Doom was central in both 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Toby Kebbell’s Doom was also a key figure in the 2015 reboot. This time, however, Marvel Studios seems to be prioritizing Galactus, Silver Surfer, and the mystery character played by John Malkovich, seemingly sidelining Doctor Doom, at least for now.
Despite this apparent absence, it’s hard to imagine that First Steps won’t play some role in setting up Doctor Doom. He is, after all, fundamentally a Fantastic Four villain, deeply intertwined with their narrative. Moreover, Fantastic Four: First Steps is positioned as one of the final MCU movies before Avengers: Doomsday arrives in May 2026. It would be a missed opportunity not to at least hint at the next major Avengers-level adversary.
A critical question that First Steps could address is the origin universe of Downey’s Doctor Doom. Given the casting choice, it’s highly improbable he’s originating from Earth-616, the primary MCU reality. But does this Doctor Doom hail from The Fantastic Four: First Steps universe itself? Could this be a reality where Tony Stark’s life trajectory took a drastically darker path, leading him to become Doctor Doom? Or might he be from an entirely different corner of the multiverse? Even a brief post-credits scene cameo could serve to establish this iteration of Doctor Doom, clarifying his motivations and why he might be targeting the MCU’s Avengers.
Regardless of the extent of Doctor Doom’s involvement in First Steps, whether it’s a supporting villain role or a fleeting cameo, it’s clear he won’t be the central antagonist. For now, the Fantastic Four are confronted with a problem of cosmic proportions. Literally.
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Fantastic Four’s First Hurdle: The Devourer of Worlds, Galactus
The trailer unequivocally establishes the primary antagonist occupying the Fantastic Four’s attention in this movie: Galactus, the self-proclaimed Devourer of Worlds, voiced by Ralph Ineson.
Galactus, a creation of the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first appeared in 1966’s Fantastic Four #48, initiating the renowned “Galactus Trilogy.” This storyline introduced Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer, arriving on Earth with the intention to consume the planet. The Fantastic Four were forced to undertake desperate measures to thwart this cosmic entity.
Subsequent Marvel comics have expanded on Galactus’s origins and his essential role in the cosmic balance of the Marvel Universe. He was originally Galan of Taa, a mortal from a universe preceding the Big Bang. As one of the last survivors of that universe, Galan merged with the Sentience of the Universe, evolving into Galactus. Since then, he traverses the cosmos, driven by an insatiable hunger, seeking out planets teeming with life to consume.
Galactus is not simply a supervillain; he embodies a necessary, albeit destructive, cosmic function. His consumption of worlds is part of the universe’s cycle of death and rebirth. This cosmic necessity, however, offers little comfort to those inhabiting a planet marked for Galactus’s consumption.
[Galactus looms over the cityscape in a scene from the Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer, showcasing his immense scale and humanoid form.
First Steps clearly draws inspiration from the classic Galactus Trilogy. The movie presents a Fantastic Four already established and celebrated by the public. Now, they face their ultimate challenge in the form of a cosmic devourer intent on consuming their world.
The crucial question is how far Reed Richards and his family will go to protect Earth. In the comics, Reed famously confronts Galactus with the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of destroying and remaking the multiverse. Will the Ultimate Nullifier appear in the film, and could it tie into the overarching Multiverse Saga and the Incursion events?
One significant departure from Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is the portrayal of Galactus. Where the 2007 film depicted Galactus as an amorphous cloud, First Steps presents him in a humanoid form, towering over landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. This suggests a more character-driven portrayal of Galactus, rather than merely a force of nature, evidenced by the casting of Ralph Ineson.
While the teaser offers glimpses of Galactus, his herald, Silver Surfer, is less prominent. Julia Garner is cast as Silver Surfer in the movie. Silver Surfer, like Galactus, debuted in Fantastic Four #48, introduced as a scout seeking planets for Galactus to consume. However, witnessing Earth’s vibrant life, Silver Surfer develops empathy and joins the Fantastic Four in opposing Galactus. This act of rebellion set the stage for Silver Surfer’s transformation into a hero, eventually leading to his own comic series.
Although First Steps opts for a gender-swapped Silver Surfer, the core narrative is likely to remain consistent. Silver Surfer will begin as Galactus’s herald, but her encounter with Earth will trigger memories of her past life on Zenn-La, prompting her to turn against her master. This character arc will likely mirror the one seen with Laurence Fishburne’s Silver Surfer in the 2007 film.
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Unmasking Malkovich: Red Ghost, Mole Man, or Another Foe?
While Galactus and Silver Surfer appear to be the primary antagonists, they are unlikely to be the only threats. The trailer includes a brief shot of a bearded John Malkovich, prompting speculation about his character.
One prevailing rumor suggests Malkovich is playing Ivan Kragoff, known as the Red Ghost. In comics, Kragoff is a Soviet scientist who replicated the cosmic ray experiment that empowered the Fantastic Four. His crew consisted of three apes: Mikhlo the gorilla, Igor the baboon, and Peotr the orangutan. Gaining powers, Kragoff and his apes formed the team Red Ghost and the Super-Apes – a product of the Silver Age of comics.
Given Malkovich’s history of portraying Russian characters, casting him as Red Ghost wouldn’t be surprising. The question is whether the movie will embrace the campier aspects of the character’s origins and if the Super-Apes will make an appearance.
A shadowy figure, speculated to be John Malkovich's character in Fantastic Four: First Steps, possibly Red Ghost or Mole Man, looking mysterious and underground.Another possibility is that Malkovich is portraying Mole Man, another classic Fantastic Four villain rumored to be in First Steps. Victor Mole Man, ostracized for his appearance and demeanor, became the king of the subterranean Moloids, seeking to conquer the surface world. Malkovich’s appearance in the trailer does suggest someone who has spent considerable time underground.
Regardless of his true identity, Malkovich’s character is likely a secondary antagonist, providing an earlier challenge for the Fantastic Four. The film depicts the team as already established heroes, making it logical for them to have an existing rogues’ gallery.
It’s also important to note that Malkovich is among several actors whose roles are yet to be confirmed. The film also stars Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Houser. Fan theories about their roles are eagerly anticipated.
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Meet Marvel’s First Family: The Fantastic Four
While Galactus receives trailer time, the primary focus is on the Fantastic Four themselves. We see Pedro Pascal as the brilliant Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as the intrepid Susan Storm, Joseph Quinn as the fiery Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bacharach as the steadfast Ben Grimm. Even H.E.R.B.I.E., the family’s robot assistant, makes a cameo.
Family is the central theme. The trailer emphasizes the Fantastic Four as a family unit, complete with the love and friction inherent in family dynamics. The film seems to explore Ben Grimm’s struggle with his transformation into the Thing and Reed Richards’s guilt over his role in it.
The trailer suggests the movie is set when the Fantastic Four are already established and celebrated heroes, rather than an origin story like the 2005 and 2015 films. However, brief flashbacks hint at the team’s origins. Archival footage shows a pre-Thing Ben Grimm, and glimpses of the accident that granted them their powers are shown. Flashbacks will likely provide context, even if the film isn’t a full origin story.
The Fantastic Four in their new blue and white suits, as seen in the trailer for First Steps, highlighting their family dynamic and unique costumes.The costumes in First Steps are notably different from previous FF movies. The blue and white color scheme is a significant change, seemingly a nod to John Byrne’s iconic 1980s Fantastic Four comics. The suits emphasize their roles as scientists and explorers, rather than traditional superheroes. They are functional, Space Age uniforms that reflect each character’s personality, not just form-fitting spandex.
Marvel’s marketing for the film has also highlighted the Future Foundation, even if the teaser doesn’t dwell on it. In the comics, Reed established the Future Foundation to mentor the next generation of geniuses. This raises the question of whether younger heroes, possibly even Reed and Sue’s children, Franklin and Valeria, will appear. The “First Steps” title itself hints at themes of parenthood and raising children.
Franklin Richards, in particular, is a strong possibility for inclusion. Given his status as one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe, his presence could be linked to Galactus’s targeting of Earth. We will discover more when Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres on July 25, 2025.
Will Downey’s Doctor Doom make an appearance in Fantastic Four: First Steps? Only time will tell, but the questions raised by the trailer ensure high anticipation for Marvel’s first family’s MCU debut.
For more on the future of the Marvel Universe, explore what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and every Marvel movie and series in development.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket byfollowing @jschedeen on BlueSky.
