What's Inside?
- A mysterious presence in the credits hints at future conflicts and deeper connections within Marvel’s expanding cinematic universe.
- One scene carries emotional weight and sets the tone for what's next, crafted by familiar hands behind major MCU milestones.
- A nostalgic visual surprise pays tribute to the franchise’s origins while teasing what longtime fans might recognize beneath the surface.
Spoiler Alert: The following article contains details about the post-credit scenes in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Read at your own risk.
Marvel has long made a tradition of rewarding patient fans with extra treats during and after the credits. With The Fantastic Four: First Steps now set to hit theaters, one big question looms large: how many post-credits scenes are we getting, and what do they actually mean for the future of the MCU? As it turns out, the answer is two— but what they reveal goes far beyond just fan service. Unlike Superman’s post-credit scenes in the new DC Universe, Marvel Studios is following its tradition to connect the universe with the post-credit scenes.
How Many Post-Credit Scenes Are There in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
There are two post-credit scenes in total— one appearing mid-way through the credits and another right at the very end. But this isn’t just a matter of quantity. The content and creative minds behind them make both scenes have a major impact on the future of the MCU.
The mid-credits scene, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (who are also behind the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday), carries the most narrative weight. According to ComicBookMovie, it is set four years after the events of the film, it finds Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) in the Baxter Building reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to her son, Franklin Richards. When she steps away to find another book, H.E.R.B.I.E. casually mentions that Franklin’s real favorite is The Origin of Species— a small moment that hints at the boy’s extraordinary intellect.
But things take a turn when Sue hears an eerie noise from the next room. She walks in to find a green-cloaked figure kneeling before Franklin, gently lifting the boy’s hand to his own face. In his other hand? Doctor Doom’s unmistakable silver mask. The scene ends without dialogue, but as you’ve guessed, Doom has arrived— and he’s watching Franklin closely.
This silent reveal speaks volumes. Rumors have long suggested that Robert Downey Jr. would return not as Tony Stark, but as Victor Von Doom, and while the figure’s face remains hidden, the presence is ominous. Director Matt Shakman put it perfectly when he described the Marvel process as “like running a relay race. You pass the baton… I passed it on to Joe and Anthony, and they’re off and running, and that’s great.”
Does Doctor Doom Appear In The Post-Credit Scenes?
Yes— and his arrival is as chilling as it is cryptic. The mid-credit sequence gives us our first look at Doctor Doom, or at least a strong suggestion of him. The cloaked figure never speaks, nor does the camera reveal his face, but the mask in his hand and his intimidating posture make it abundantly clear. This is Robert Downey Jr’s Victor Von Doom.
What makes this moment so effective is its restraint. By not showing his face or delivering a monologue, Marvel resists the urge to overexplain. Instead, they leave fans with burning questions: why is Doom interested in Franklin? And what does this mean for the multiverse?
The silence only fuels speculation, especially considering the film’s confirmed ties to Avengers: Doomsday. It’s no coincidence that the Russo brothers, who also directed the post-credit scene in Thunderbolts* where the Fantastic Four’s ship briefly appeared, are once again behind the camera.
Do The Post-Credit Scenes Connect to Avengers: Doomsday?
Absolutely, and quite directly. The mid-credit stinger plants the seed for Doctor Doom’s role in Avengers: Doomsday, while the final post-credit scene takes a lighter approach but still connects thematically.
This second tag is an animated homage styled like a 1960s cartoon, showing the Fantastic Four battling comic-accurate villains like Red Ghost, Puppet Master, and Diablo. It’s more of a nostalgic nod than a plot teaser, but it serves its purpose: to celebrate the team’s roots and honor co-creator Jack Kirby.
Before the animated scene begins, a quote from Kirby appears: “If you look at my characters, you will find me. No matter what kind of character you create or assume, a little of yourself must remain there.”
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set for a July 25 release.
