‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ game-changing mid-credits scene, explained

The Fantastic Four: First Steps features what might be the most important MCU mid-credits scene since Thanos first appeared in The Avengers.

Not only does it introduce one of Marvel’s most iconic antagonists, it also teases why the Fantastic Four might have jumped to the main MCU universe, as seen in the Thunderbolts* end-credits scene. Let’s break it down.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps mid-credits scene brings Doctor Doom to the MCU.

Vanessa Kirby and Ada Scott in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Credit: Marvel Studios

The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ mid-credits scene picks up four years after the film’s ending. Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm/Invisible Woman’s (Vanessa Kirby) son Franklin is growing up happy, healthy, and — seemingly — fairly normal. From looking at him, you’d have no clue he single-handedly resurrected his mother following a harrowing battle against Galactus (Ralph Ineson). Instead, you’d just see a regular preschool-aged child, one who’s learning to talk and adores picture books like Michael McClintock’s A Fly Went By.

In the scene, Sue reads Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Franklin in the Fantastic Four’s Baxter Building apartment. She leaves him on the couch for just a moment while she goes to find their copy of A Fly Went By. However, when she returns to the living room, she discovers an unwanted visitor: a man in a green hooded cape, holding a silvery mask, who’s holding Franklin’s hand to his face. That mystery man? None other than Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.).

Even though audiences know Downey Jr. will be playing Doctor Doom, The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t give us a Downey-as-Doom face reveal just yet. Marvel will likely keep up waiting for a bit on that front! However, his appearance here marks the first time Doctor Doom has popped up in the MCU, setting the stage for 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, where he will be the main villain.

The question now becomes, what in the world is Doctor Doom doing in the Baxter Building? And what does he want with Franklin? Is he, like Galactus, entranced by Franklin’s cosmic powers? Or perhaps he’s more intrigued by his healing capabilities, like his resurrection of Sue? After all, Doctor Doom does have facial scarring. Maybe he is hoping Franklin can get rid of it, explaining why he’s having Franklin touch his face.

Either way, if Doctor Doom comes after Franklin, you know the Fantastic Four are going to be hot on his trail.

How does The Fantastic Four: First Steps connect to the Thunderbolts* end-credits scene?

Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Pedro Pascal in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Credit: Jay Maidment

The post-credits scene from Thunderbolts* teased the Fantastic Four’s entry into the MCU, with their spaceship entering Earth’s atmosphere. What caused them to leave their own dimension?

After seeing The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ mid-credits scene, the answer to that question is likely Doctor Doom. Perhaps he stole Franklin right from under Sue’s nose, and the Fantastic Four’s extra-dimensional trip is part of their hunt to get him back. Or maybe the Fantastic Four are trying to warn parallel Earths about the arrival of Doctor Doom. Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: Doomsday is coming.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now in theaters.