"#DoomsdayIsComing": Russos Tease THE FANTASTIC FOUR As Robert Downey Jr. Reveals Doctor Doom Comic Research

"#DoomsdayIsComing": Russos Tease THE FANTASTIC FOUR As Robert Downey Jr. Reveals Doctor Doom Comic Research

The Russo Brothers have warned fans to wait through the credits when they watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps for an Avengers: Doomsday tease, while Robert Downey Jr. is teasing his Doctor Doom research.

By JoshWilding - Jul 25, 2025 04:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Fantastic Four

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters, and the Russo Brothers have taken to Instagram to hype up Marvel Studios' "awesome" new movie.

Joe and Anthony also made sure to warn fans to "stay in your seats for the credits" because "#DoomsdayIsComing." The implication is that there's something in the post-credits scene setting the stage for next December's Avengers: Doomsday.

If you'd rather not wait to find out what happens, you can read a full breakdown of both stingers here.

It's shaping up to be a big weekend for Marvel's First Family, and we'll be sharing updates on the reboot's Audience Score and Thursday preview box office numbers very soon. 

In our review of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, we concluded, "The Fantastic Four is an exceptional introduction to the MCU’s First Family, and thanks to a Jack Kirby-infused feel that’s unlike anything we’ve seen before, it proves to be a quintessential superhero movie with Marvel Studios at its brilliant best."

Robert Downey Jr. has also taken to social media this morning and revealed some possible inspiration for his interpretation of Avengers: Doomsday's Doctor Doom. 

That's a copy of West Coast Avengers #35, an issue which saw Doom trapped in the body of a young Kristoff Vernard. The villain captured Earth's Mightiest Heroes in his castle, and even did battle with Khonshu, the Moon God and source of Moon Knight's powers. 

Published in 1988, the issue was written by Steve Englehart with art by Al Milgrom. 

Downey's research for his next MCU role is clearly extensive (the photo appears to have been taken on the set of Avengers: Doomsday), and it might be worth tracking this issue down for potential clues about the Russo Brothers' plans for Victor Von Doom. 

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

Also appearing are Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman, Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/Mole Man, Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols, and Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert. John Malkovich was set to play Red Ghost, but was cut due to time constraints.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is directed by Matt Shakman from a screenplay by Josh Friedman and Eric Pearson and Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer.

The movie is set to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025.

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vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/25/2025, 5:15 AM
Doom post credit scene was badly executed.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/25/2025, 5:26 AM
And this feels like damage control with how confused and lukewarm the response is from the general audience on that badly executed scene
ChrisRed
ChrisRed - 7/25/2025, 5:51 AM
@vectorsigma - It was part of a scene from Avengers Doomsday.
What did people expect?
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/25/2025, 5:59 AM
@ChrisRed - you know doom, so you wont have a problem

Imagine the general audience not having a clue on who the guy in the cloak is.

This is different from the thanos post credit because it showed he is loki's "boss". For this one, no clue for the GA
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 7/25/2025, 7:56 AM
@vectorsigma - I think the GA is also probably bothered that a hooded man would sneak into a nursery to talk to a baby.

Also, for WHATEVER reason, about half or more of theater goers still leave before credits scenes, in my area. Happened last week at Superman and I was pretty surprised.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/25/2025, 8:03 AM
@FrankenDad - same, for both superman and f4, goes to show the general audience is an important metric.

For my f4 viewing, there was this silence of confusion. At least for those who stayed. It was really badly executed.
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 7/25/2025, 8:05 AM
@vectorsigma - hate to hear that, but at least they have time to course correct right now.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/25/2025, 8:13 AM
@FrankenDad - i hope so. Marvel doesnt really have much time to hype up doom.

And im comparing how much good buildup there was for thanos.
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 7/25/2025, 8:41 AM
@vectorsigma - Not knowing who Dr. Doom is quite the stretch. Even so, the MCU should bring elements to the table that heightens the lore.

In Civil War, Tony turned on his best friend for protecting his Moms killer.

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🤔 💭

... I wonder if this will be revisited since Doom's motivation is also heavily tied to his Mother.

https://youtube.com/shorts/WHkztk49SWU?si=pqpwvrm01f-c4Svy

vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/25/2025, 10:20 AM
@KennKathleen - "Not knowing who Dr. Doom is quite the stretch"

I am referring to the general audience here. It is very probable.

And I agree Marvel shoukd make it compelling enough with the very short time they have.

Thanos was built up very well within 3 phases. Doom will have a hard time resonatint with the audience with only this appearance, and a bad one at that.

Btw, thanks for sharing the yt link, good to know this as i dont read comics
DraculaX
DraculaX - 7/25/2025, 8:30 PM
@vectorsigma - I was expecting it to be longer from focusing on the mask to the camera slowing pandering up to his face and cut to black.

It just ended not even 3 seconds on him
Superheromoviefan
Superheromoviefan - 7/25/2025, 5:25 AM
im still hoping that its a fake casting
CrimsonComet
CrimsonComet - 7/25/2025, 5:32 AM
I love when actors pose with comic books that they don't know how to read!

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https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxKBK8upz1dZYmZS5Cy7nyBqRPx-h26xGGBg&s

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Corruptor
Corruptor - 7/25/2025, 10:04 AM
@CrimsonComet - I love when millionaires and billionaires buy back issues. More of them should do it.
DARTHTECTO
DARTHTECTO - 7/25/2025, 5:43 AM
I need to see how is this take of Doom, but watching that terrible post credit scene.... now Im worried. It looks like a bad Cosplayer made this cameo... whay is the worts thing? That mask!!!!!!
SirReginald
SirReginald - 7/25/2025, 6:41 AM
End of Doomsday, RDJ Doom gives a victorious flamboyant speech. Suddenly an armoured hand bursts through his chest holding his heart. The camera moves to reveal the real Doom.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/25/2025, 7:09 AM
Being somewhat familiar with that West Coast Avengers issue , that is an odd one to take inspiration/influence from but whatever helps I guess…

Anyway , can’t wait to see RDJ’s take on Dr Doom even moreso now after the FF post credits scene in which I liked his look with the green cloak & mask (atleast from the little bit we saw).

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MisterBones
MisterBones - 7/25/2025, 7:32 AM
Mid credit scene was disrespectful almost
abd00bie
abd00bie - 7/25/2025, 7:35 AM
Hopefully RDJ Doom is a Doombot
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 7/25/2025, 5:55 PM
The West Coast Avengers really appear to be how we'll get to address now the Thunderbolts.

I like teasers like this.

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