Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom has already entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that appearance includes a tease that increases his threat level for Avengers: Doomsday. Sadly, the MCU is running against time when it comes to Doctor Doom. That is due to how Kang the Conqueror was originally planned to serve as the villain of the next Avengers movies.

However, with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania underperforming and Kang actor Jonathan Majors fired by Marvel, the studio felt it was best not to recast Kang, at least for now, choosing to pivot to Doctor Doom as the Avengers movies’ villain instead. This means Victor von Doom will not get the same treatment in the MCU that Thanos and Kang got.

Both villains were thought of as the main villains of the Infinity and Multiverse Sagas, respectively. However, since Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom replaced Kang late into the game, Doom will likely only have one MCU appearance when Downey returns to lead the cast of Avengers: Doomsday. Thankfully, an important tease in Doctor Doom’s MCU debut has already made him a major threat.

The Secret Wars Comics Already Show How Frightening The MCU’s Doctor Doom Could Be

The MCU Character Is The Villain The Franchise Needs

Before getting into his MCU debut, Marvel Studios already has a perfect path to follow when it comes to Doctor Doom’s role in the Multiverse Saga. The character might have only debuted in one of the saga’s final movies, but Marvel Comics shows exactly what could happen with Doctor Doom, and it can be epic even without major buildup.

The 2015 Secret Wars event from Marvel Comics had Doctor Doom as its main character. As the multiverse began to collapse due to countless incursions — events where multiple Earths collide — which were accidentally started by Doctor Doom and the Molecule Man, the Marvel villain found a way to salvage what was left under himself. Enter God Emperor Doom.

The creation of Battleworld, a patchwork planet made of pieces of different universes, with Doctor Doom ruling over it, would be an Avengers: Infinity War-level ending for Doomsday. A full movie dedicated to the multiverse falling and Downey’s new MCU character finding a way to create Battleworld and save many heroes and villains, though under his control, makes up for no buildup.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Just Teased Where Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Comes From

The Fantastic Four’s Universe Is A Great Addition

As had been rumored months before the movie was released, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom made his debut in the first The Fantastic Four: First Steps post-credits scene. The MCU movie was the first live-action entry in the Fantastic Four franchise not to see Doctor Doom fight the team. However, by having him meet Franklin Richards, Marvel sets up Avengers: Doomsday.

While The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ post-credits scene was the only part of the movie to actually show Downey’s Doctor Doom, there was another moment that could tie directly to the character. Earlier in the Fantastic Four movie, when Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm is at the UN for a meeting, the chair for the Latveria representative is empty.

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Latveria is Doctor Doom’s home in the comics, with the villain being the country’s ruler. Since Downey played Iron Man in the main MCU timeline, Doom would not come from that universe. Based on the focus on Latveria’s empty chair and the fact that Doctor Doom entered the Baxter Building to meet Franklin, he most likely comes from the Fantastic Four’s Earth.

Doctor Doom’s Teased MCU Origin Makes Him More Dangerous Against A Marvel Team

Victor Von Doom Is One Of Marvel’s Most Intelligent Characters

Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast includes heroes from both the main MCU universe and alternate universes. That means the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Fox’s original X-Men, and more superhero teams will come together to fight Doctor Doom and whoever stands by his side. Given that the Fantastic Four were able to outsmart Galactus, they should be major players against Doom.

However, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom will already enter the next Avengers movie with a card up his sleeve to fight the team. Since the MCU’s Doctor Doom seemingly comes from the Fantastic Four’s universe, that means he knows all about the team. To try to escape from Galactus, all the nations on Earth worked together on Reed Richards’ teleportation plan.

That means Latveria must have played a role in it, and as Doctor Doom is its ruler in the comics, he would have been aware of all that was happening. Doom would have seen the Fantastic Four’s entire superhero career up to Avengers: Doomsday, knowing exactly what their strengths and weaknesses are. The MCU team would be at a disadvantage against him.

How Doctor Doom Going After Franklin Richards Could Also Make Him A Bigger Threat

The MCU Introduced Many Powerful Characters In 2025

Besides the fact that the MCU Doctor Doom likely comes from the Fantastic Four’s universe, he already has a direct link to the team. Doom entered their home, the Baxter Building, and approached Franklin Richards when no one was looking. Franklin not reacting negatively, but rather having a friendly approach to a maskless Doctor Doom, was interesting.

It seems like in their first meeting, Doctor Doom was able to leave a good impression on Franklin. That could be dangerous. As a baby, Franklin was powerful enough to resurrect his mother, Sue Storm. Four years later, his powers must have grown. If Doctor Doom is able to get Franklin’s help or powers, the heroes should lose in Avengers: Doomsday.