2025 is a pivotal year for Marvel, but no project looms larger than The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This Phase 6 MCU film finally introduces Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four, marking a potential turning point for the franchise. Could this be the long-awaited, truly great Fantastic Four movie we've been hoping for?
The recently released teaser trailer offers a closer look at the foursome and first glimpses of antagonists like Ralph Ineson's Galactus and John Malkovich's mysterious character. However, one question dominates fan discussions: where is Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom?
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
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Where Is Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom?
Marvel's San Diego Comic-Con announcement that The Avengers 5 (renamed The Avengers: Doomsday) would feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom surprised many. While the comics have a rich history between Doom and Iron Man, the casting choice was unexpected. Fans naturally wonder how The Fantastic Four: First Steps sets up Doom as a major Avengers-level threat.
Marvel is keeping details close to the chest. The teaser offers no overt hints of Doom's presence, highlighting a different approach from previous Fantastic Four films. Julian McMahon's Doom was a major villain in the 2005 and 2007 films, and Toby Kebbell's Doom was integral to the 2015 reboot. This time, Marvel downplays Doom, focusing on Galactus, Silver Surfer, and John Malkovich's as-yet-unrevealed character.
We assume First Steps will establish Doom's role; he's a primary Fantastic Four villain, and the film precedes Avengers: Doomsday. The film needs to tease the next major Avengers villain. A key question is Doom's universe of origin. Given the casting, he's not from Earth-616. Is he from the First Steps universe? A darker alternate Tony Stark? Or another universe entirely? Even a post-credits appearance could establish his identity and motives.
Regardless of his role, Doom won't be the star. The Fantastic Four face a much larger, literal threat.
The Fantastic Four vs. Galactus
The teaser clearly shows Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, voiced by Ralph Ineson (Game of Thrones), as the main antagonist. Galactus, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, debuted in 1966's Fantastic Four #48, launching the "Galactus Trilogy." The story depicts Galactus and his herald, Silver Surfer, arriving to consume Earth, forcing the Fantastic Four to fight back.
Later Marvel stories expanded Galactus's backstory and cosmic role. Once Galan of Taa, a survivor of a pre-Big Bang universe, he bonded with the Sentience of the Universe, becoming Galactus. He travels the cosmos, seeking life-sustaining planets. He's less a supervillain and more a cosmic entity fulfilling a cyclical function of death and rebirth—though this is little comfort to those whose planets he targets.
First Steps seems inspired by the Galactus Trilogy, portraying an established Fantastic Four facing their greatest challenge. The film explores the lengths Reed and his family will go to save Earth. Will the Ultimate Nullifier, a multiverse-altering weapon, appear? Does it connect to the Multiverse Saga and Incursions?
This Galactus differs from Rise of the Silver Surfer's depiction as a hurricane-like cloud. Here, Galactus is humanoid, towering over the Statue of Liberty, a character rather than a force of nature—a choice reflected in Ineson's casting.
While the teaser shows Galactus, his herald, Silver Surfer (played by Julia Garner), is absent. Debuting in Fantastic Four #48, Silver Surfer initially scouted planets for Galactus, but later showed compassion for Earth and defied his master, becoming a Marvel hero. First Steps features a gender-swapped Silver Surfer, likely following a similar arc to Laurence Fishburne's portrayal in the 2007 film.
Who Is John Malkovich Playing?
Galactus and Silver Surfer are the main antagonists, but not the only ones. The teaser shows John Malkovich, raising the question of his character. One rumor suggests Ivan Kragoff (The Red Ghost), a Soviet scientist who recreates the Fantastic Four's accident with three super-powered apes. Malkovich's history of playing Russian characters makes this plausible, though the film's approach to the character's campy origins is unknown.
Another possibility is Mole Man, another iconic Fantastic Four villain rumored for First Steps. Shunned by humanity, he rules the Moloids underground and seeks to conquer the surface world. Malkovich's appearance suggests a subterranean existence.
Malkovich likely plays a secondary villain clashing with the Fantastic Four. Their established status suggests a rogues' gallery. Other actors, including Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Hauser, have unconfirmed roles.
Meet the Fantastic Four
The teaser focuses on the Fantastic Four: Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bacharach's Ben Grimm, even showing their helper robot, H.E.R.B.I.E. The film emphasizes their family dynamic, including Ben's struggle with his transformation and Reed's guilt.
The Fantastic Four are established heroes, not origin stories like the 2005 and 2015 films, though flashbacks to their origin are shown. The costumes differ significantly from previous films, resembling John Byrne's classic 1980s comics, reflecting their scientist/adventurer nature.
Marvel's marketing emphasizes the Future Foundation, established by Reed to nurture young geniuses. This raises the possibility of younger heroes, including Reed and Sue's children, Franklin and Valeria. The "First Steps" title hints at parenthood and its challenges. Franklin's immense power might connect to Galactus's targeting of Earth.
Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters on July 25, 2025.
Will Downey's Doctor Doom appear? Vote in our poll and share your theories in the comments.
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