Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
After seeing The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I am almost certain that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom hails from Earth-828. The MCU is rapidly approaching their 40th theatrical release, but for the vast majority of these stories, most have happened in the same universe. Earth-616 is the official home of the heroes in the MCU, and until now, it’s where all the main characters hailed from.
Yes, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine saw variants from other realities briefly land in the Sacred Timeline, but even their story primarily takes place in the Void outside the multiverse. But The Fantastic Four are unique in the fact that they are from Earth-828, and I’m pretty positive that their universe is also the home of the upcoming big bad, Doctor Doom.
Robert Downey Jr. Will Be Doctor Doom In The MCU
From Earth’s Mightiest Hero To The Multiverse’s Biggest Threat
After setting the foundations for the MCU in 2008 when he debuted as Tony Stark in Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the MCU, but not as Stark. Instead, RDJ is now donning a metal mask and a green cloak to tackle the role of Doctor Doom, the ultimate rival of The Fantastic Four, and the villain who has the potential to destroy the multiverse in Avengers: Doomsday.
And while RDJ has been cast to play this part for a deliberate reason, it’s unclear exactly what this will look like, and how precisely it connects to the character of Tony Stark. Obviously, Stark sacrificed his life in Avengers: Endgame, and saved the universe from the Mad тιтan, Thanos. But now, this same face will be responsible for bringing an even greater threat.
Despite Not Showing His Face, It Makes Sense That RDJ Appears In The Fantastic Four: First Steps Mid-Credits Scene
Doctor Doom Makes His MCU Debut In The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The mid-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps finally introduces Doctor Doom to the MCU, but the scene is very brief and ambiguous about whether it’s RDJ in the mask. The scene shows Sue Storm and her son, Franklin Richards, reading together, before Sue steps out to get another book.
Upon her return, she sees her son standing in front of a figure in a green cloak, crouched down to eye level with Franklin, holding a metal mask in their hand. This is clearly the Doctor Doom of Earth-828. But, it’s also been revealed that the Russo’s the directors who are currently working on Avengers: Doomsday with the expansive cast, were responsible for directing this short scene.
As such, it would make sense that they also had RDJ in mind as the figure in the cloak, and this may be a sneak preview of a larger scene that will be explored in Avengers: Doomsday, which is due to come out in 2026.
Doctor Doom Will Be The Primary Antagonist In Avengers: Doomsday
Doctor Doom Has Big Plans For The Heroes Of The MCU
Combine that with the fact that Doom is set to be the primary antagonist for Doomsday, and it makes a lot of sense that this figure is the one that will be appearing in the upcoming movie. With that in mind, RDJ’s version of Doom is the one that will reach out to The Fantastic Four, and their stories will likely intersect in a major way.
But beyond simply being a rival to The Fantastic Four, Victor von Doom will have a challenge in pitting himself against a large array of heroes. Joining Marvel’s First Family, The New Avengers, Sam Wilson’s Avengers, and the X-Men are all confirmed to play a role in the upcoming movie. So it would make sense for Doom to potentially try to forge alliances with others, which could be hinted at in this mid-credits scene.
RDJ’s Doom Is Probably Traveling From Earth-828 With The Fantastic Four
Doom Might Have Arrived During The Thunderbolts* Mid-Credits Scene
Doctor Doom is one of the smartest people in the Marvel Universe of stories. He is also calculating, and extremely ambitious. As a result, Victor likely forms some sort of plan for what he wishes to achieve, whether that be acquiring the Power Cosmic for himself, or ruling over the Multiverse, and creates a path to achieve that end.
In order to get beyond his realm, Doom will need to connect with others, but these alliances could all be set up for his own gain, without the character genuinely caring for his allies. It’s happened plenty of times in the comics. And Doom also has an affinity for Sue Storm and her children.
Doctor Doom is one of the smartest people in the Marvel Universe of stories.
Since Sue has been established as a global ambᴀssador, and a friend to underdog nations, she may find herself forging an alliance with Doom, who has his own nation of Latveria to care for. And Doom could convince Sue and her team that a threat exists in the multiverse that they need to take care of, which could lead to him travelling with The Fantastic Four to Earth-616.
Clearly, this would mean that the version of Doctor Doom set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, the one played by Robert Downey Jr., is from Earth-828. And more than that, this Doom finds a way to convince others to join forces, and set out on a mission that will take them far beyond their world. Whatever the case, The Fantastic Four: First Steps only glimpses the beginning of Doom’s story, with much more to come in the MCU.
