You probably sat through the credits of The Fantastic Four: First Steps expecting a goofy joke or a lighthearted nod to the future. Instead, Marvel dropped a bombshell that’s still vibrating through the fandom. We finally got our eyes on Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor von Doom. It wasn’t a long scene. It didn't need to be.
The atmosphere in the theater shifted the second that green cloak appeared. Honestly, after years of "Will they, won't they" regarding RDJ's return, seeing him step into the shoes of the MCU’s biggest villain felt surreal. This isn't just another cameo. This dr doom post credit scene is the literal bridge to Avengers: Doomsday, and if you weren't paying close attention, you might have missed the most disturbing part of the interaction.
What Actually Happened in the Scene?
Let's break down the logistics. The movie ends with the Fantastic Four essentially relocating or saving their world from Galactus, but the stinger takes us four years into their future. We’re inside the Baxter Building. It’s quiet. Maybe too quiet.
Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) walks into a room to find an intruder talking to her son, Franklin Richards. This isn't a fight. There’s no cosmic energy blasting through the walls. It’s a conversation. The figure is shrouded in that iconic green hood, but as he turns, he’s holding the metal mask in his hand.
We see him. It’s Robert Downey Jr., but he isn't Tony Stark. There’s a coldness there that’s hard to describe.
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The most jarring detail? Young Franklin has his hand on Doom's face. In a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, the child appears to be healing the villain’s legendary scars. Doom isn't flinching. He looks... awestruck. Or maybe he's just calculating. When Sue enters, the tension is thick enough to cut with a Twin Blade. Doom doesn't run; he simply acknowledges her presence with a chilling familiarity before the screen cuts to black.
Why Franklin Richards is the Real Key
If you’re a casual fan, you might just see a kid and a bad guy. If you know the comics, you’re probably screaming. Franklin Richards is effectively a god. He can warp reality, create pocket universes, and make Galactus his herald.
Why would Doom be interested in a toddler?
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- The Power Source: Doom has always sought ultimate power. Controlling a child who can rewrite the laws of physics is the ultimate shortcut to becoming "God Emperor Doom."
- A Personal Mirror: Rumors floating around production suggest Doom’s motivation in the MCU is tied to a lost family. He sees a version of what he lost—or what he could have been—in the Richards family.
- The Healing Factor: That specific moment of Franklin healing Doom's face is massive. In the comics, Doom’s vanity is his greatest weakness. If Franklin "fixes" him, he might inadvertently remove the one thing keeping Doom’s ego in check.
It’s a masterclass in "show, don't tell." Marvel is signaling that the conflict in Avengers: Doomsday isn't just about a guy in a mask wanting to rule the world. It’s a domestic tragedy played out on a multiversal scale.
The RDJ Factor: Mask vs. Face
There was a lot of worry that Marvel would hide Robert Downey Jr. behind a mask the whole time. The dr doom post credit scene puts those fears to rest. By having him hold the mask while talking to Franklin, the Russo Brothers are telling us they intend to use Downey’s full range.
We’re getting the eyes. We’re getting the micro-expressions.
Some fans are still hung up on the "Tony Stark variant" theory. However, Kevin Feige and RDJ himself have been pretty firm: this is Victor von Doom. Period. The fact that he looks like the man who saved the universe in Endgame is almost certainly going to be a psychological weapon he uses against the remaining Avengers. Imagine Peter Parker or Thor coming face-to-face with a tyrant who wears the face of their fallen mentor. It's cruel. It's brilliant.
How This Sets Up Avengers: Doomsday
This scene isn't just a teaser; it’s a prologue. We know the Fantastic Four are confirmed for the next two Avengers films. This stinger explains why they are the center of the story. They aren't just joining the fight; they are the reason the fight is happening.
The ship we saw in the Thunderbolts* post-credit scene—the one with the "4" on the side—is likely the team fleeing their reality or searching for Franklin after Doom takes him. The pieces are falling into place.
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Doom isn't just some guy in Latveria anymore. He’s a multiversal traveler who has already successfully infiltrated the lives of the "First Family." By the time Doomsday hits theaters in December 2026, the heroes won't be starting from zero. They’ll be playing catch-up against a man who has already won the first round.
What You Should Watch Next
If you want to be fully prepped for what’s coming, don’t just rewatch the old Fantastic Four movies. They won't help you here. Instead, look at the projects that actually deal with the crumbling of the multiverse:
- The Marvels: Specifically that post-credit scene with Beast. It proves that travel between these specific "Fox-era" and "MCU-era" universes is now standard.
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: Pay attention to the concept of "Incursions." Doom's whole "save the multiverse by ruling it" schick depends on the fact that the multiverse is literally dying.
- Loki Season 2: It provides the technical framework for how the timelines are being held together—or failing to be.
The path to Secret Wars is paved with these small, character-driven moments. The dr doom post credit scene might only be a minute long, but it’s the most important minute of Phase 6 so far. It moved the needle from "speculation" to "imminent threat."
Keep an eye on the upcoming trailers. Usually, Marvel hides the post-credit footage for months, but given the sheer star power of RDJ, expect to see snippets of this Baxter Building encounter used to drum up hype. The era of the hero is over. The era of Doom has officially started.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the Spider-Man: Brand New Day production leaks, as there are heavy whispers that Tom Holland’s Peter Parker will be the first "mainstream" MCU hero to cross paths with this version of Victor.