After nearly a year of rumors, whether Doctor Doom is in The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been revealed. Robert Downey Jr.’s new Marvel Cinematic Universe character is going to be the main villain of the upcoming two Avengers movies, 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars, which were both recently delayed from May to December in their respective release years. Since the villain is the nemesis of Marvel’s First Family, it would make sense for Doctor Doom to be part of The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ cast, but it just might not be in the cards.

According to the latest issue of Empire Magazine (via ComicBookMovie), The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman revealed that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is not in the MCU movie. Previously, it had been reported that Doctor Doom would make his MCU debut in the mid/post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four First Steps, with recent rumors bringing that up again. However, Shakman is adamant that the villain does not play a role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ story, which focuses on Galactus and the Silver Surfer as antagonists. Check out the full quote below:

“Doom is not a part of my film, and therefore not a part of my purview.”

What The MCU Fantastic Four Movie Director’s Doctor Doom Comments Mean

Marvel Studios Might Finally Break A Fantastic Four Movie Trend

With Shakman claiming Doctor Doom is not in the MCU movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps would be breaking a major trend for Marvel’s First Family when it comes to the villain. So far, Victor von Doom has appeared in every live-action Fantastic Four movie, so if he does not show up in the team’s MCU debut, The Fantastic Four: First Steps would be the first film in the franchise not to feature Doctor Doom. His MCU introduction would be left for Avengers: Doomsday, where he will be the main villain.

When it comes to MCU reveals, there is always the possibility that Shakman could be lying to preserve the film’s secrets. Something as big as Robert Downey Jr.’s debut as Doctor Doom would surely be a major moment for audiences to experience in theaters for the first time. If Doctor Doom is in The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ credits scene, as was previously reported, then Shakman’s words could even be true, as he said the villain is not in the movie, and technically a post-credits scene exists outside of that.

Our Take On The MCU Fantastic Four Movie Director’s Doctor Doom Comments

Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Villain Needs All The Time He Can Get

Since the Multiverse Saga was originally setting up Kang the Conqueror for the next two Avengers movies, the MCU will not have a lot of time to set up Doctor Doom. As such, I believe having the character debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps would make a lot of sense. Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom would not even need to have a major role, just to appear to set up a connection between him and the team. Based on past reports of a post-credits debut, I’m convinced Matt Shakman is lying to keep The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ secrets.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

• 
  

  

  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  

  

  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  

  

  Avengers: Doomsday

  Release Date

  
  December 18, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  

  

  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  

  

  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  December 17, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

Source: Empire Magazine (via ComicBookMovie)