WARNING: This article includes MAJOR SPOILERS from The Fantastic Four: First Steps.The Fantastic Four: First Stepsstar Vanessa Kirby clarifies who played that majorMarvel Cinematic Universecharacter in the post-credits scene. Marvel’s First Family is finally back on the big screen, astheFantastic Four: First Stepscastbrought the iconic characters to life in the new Phase 6 release.
The biggest takeaway fromThe Fantastic Four: First Stepspost-credits scenewas the arrival of Victor von Doom, a.k.a. Doctor Doom, as he is seen with Franklin Richards. While Sue Storm is looking at the cloaked visitor, his face is never seen, which left many wondering who was actually playing Doctor Doom in that moment.
In a new interview withVariety, Kirby was asked if it was Robert Downey Jr. who played Doctor Doom inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepspost-credits scene. Thankfully, Kirby was able to finally set the record straight, asshe confirmed that it was indeed Downey Jr.She said the following:
Yeah! Robert’s never not been on set. He’s always there. He is our leader. We call him our Godfather. He’s looked after us. It’s such a joy working with the Russos and him, because they’ve had such deep collaboration for so long. And it’s been amazing being pregnant and working on “Avengers.” I felt so inspired and so relieved that I’ve been so taken care of. It’s been a really beautiful journey. Robert is just doing incredible work. I’m so excited.
Downey Jr. and Kirby are currently shootingAvengers: Doomsday,alongside fellowFantastic Four: First Stepsactors Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. All five of those actors will also be back as their respective characters in 2027’sAvengers: Secret Wars.
What Vanessa Kirby’s Doctor Doom Comments Mean
The Age Of Doom Is Here
While it was always possible that Downey Jr. was playingDoctor Doom inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepspost-credits scene,it’s even more compelling to know it was actually him as Victor in that moment, despite his face never being seen. For general audience members who may not even know what Victor looks like underneath the mask, it allows them to still have a big mystery in 2026.
For comic book fans, who know that Doctor Doom is disfigured behind his mask, it allows them to imagine what Downey Jr. may look like with Victor’s famous scars afterThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsending. It’s also impressive that Downey Jr. filmed the scene himself,even though the movie could have easily used any stand-in actor for Doctor Doom’s massive cameo.
Our Take On Vanessa Kirby’s Doctor Doom Comments
Fantastic Four Just Raised The Bar For Avengers: Doomsday
With Kirby’s confirmation,it finally allowsThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' mystery about Doctor Doom to be concluded, while also getting the hype up forAvengers: Doomsday. AsThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' box officejourney has just begun, time will tell how the Doctor Doom cameo continues to be received worldwide.
Given that Doctor Doom is more than likely going to take Franklin,it already sets up huge stakes for the Fantastic Four inAvengers: Doomsday. AsThe Fantastic Four: First Stepscontinues its theatrical run, there will hopefully be more details soon on Doctor Doom’s MCU return inAvengers: Doomsday.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Cast
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom - played by the returning Robert Downey Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
