THE FANTASTIC FOUR: Marvel's First Family Covers PEOPLE Magazine - And Seemingly Teases Doctor Doom!

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: Marvel's First Family Covers PEOPLE Magazine - And Seemingly Teases Doctor Doom!

Marvel's First Family takes centre stage on the latest cover of PEOPLE Magazine, but an advertisement for H.E.R.B.I.E. includes what looks to be a nod to the existence of one Victor Von Doom. Check it out!

By JoshWilding - Jul 06, 2025 04:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Fantastic Four

Marvel Studios is gearing up to give The Fantastic Four: First Steps its last big marketing push before the movie arrives in theaters later this month. Now, Marvel's First Family has assembled on the cover of PEOPLE Magazine. 

As you can see, this is an in-universe feature, and from what we can gather, there won't be a piece inside the issue featuring interviews with Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny.

There is, however, an advertisement for H.E.R.B.I.E., a robot we know that Mister Fantastic has built with the whole world in mind. The team's iconic sidekick/mascot is described as "your loyal companion, tactical consultant, and emergency babysitter rolled into one floating mechanical genius."

"From helping with homework to planning interdimensional travel itineraries (or just grocery lists), H.E.R.B.I.E. is always plugged in and ready," it adds. 

However, what's grabbed the attention of most fans is the fact that he comes outfitted with a "Doom Detection" early warning system. Is that a cheeky Easter Egg for fans or confirmation that Doctor Doom exists in this world and is an ever-present threat to the people of New York?

We'd lean more toward the former, but it's yet to be revealed whether Robert Downey Jr.'s Victor hails from this reality.

"Doom is not a part of my film, and therefore not a part of my purview," filmmaker Matt Shakman previously said. In a separate interview, he'd add, "Doom's a great character, but he takes up a lot of air. Other film adaptations have done both an origin story and Doom. We're doing neither, and that allows us to look at them from a fresh perspective."

While he's been focused on Galactus, there must surely be at least one Doctor Doom reference in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. However, if he's being saved for a post-credits scene (regardless of whether he's crossed paths with this team before), it's likely the Russo Brothers shot that on the set of Avengers: Doomsday

Take a closer look at PEOPLE's The Fantastic Four: First Steps coverage in the X posts below.

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.

Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles have been cast in mystery roles. Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is rumoured to appear, though that's surely a given with Avengers: Doomsday on the way.

Director Matt Shakman worked with both Avatar: The Way of Water co-writer Josh Friedman and WandaVision's Cam Squires on The Fantastic Four: First Steps' screenplay, with Eric Pearson (Black Widow) later coming on board for a final polish.

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

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS TV Spots Introduce Us To The Team And Showcase Plenty Of Superpowered Action
Related:

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS TV Spots Introduce Us To The Team And Showcase Plenty Of Superpowered Action

FANTASTIC FOUR Stars Ioan Gruffudd And Michael Chiklis Pay Tribute To Late Doctor Doom Actor Julian McMahon
Recommended For You:

FANTASTIC FOUR Stars Ioan Gruffudd And Michael Chiklis Pay Tribute To Late Doctor Doom Actor Julian McMahon

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 7/6/2025, 5:00 AM
Some of the worst casting in recent memory for Reed. Johnny doesn't appear to be much better either
Latverian
Latverian - 7/6/2025, 6:08 AM
@SteviesRightFoo -

User Comment Image
McMurdo
McMurdo - 7/6/2025, 9:55 AM
@Latverian - he's not wrong.
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 7/6/2025, 10:07 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - I'll give you Pascal for Reed is a stretch but Quinn for Johnny is good casting. that guy was great in stranger things. If you don't like this Johnny its because of writing and direction given to him id say.
Latverian
Latverian - 7/6/2025, 10:12 AM
@McMurdo -

We already established on a previous thread that your MCU takes are purely reactionary, therefore not to be trusted.

As is the case with many users here lately.
Nonameforme
Nonameforme - 7/6/2025, 10:42 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - I have to agree
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 7/6/2025, 10:49 AM
@NonPlayerC - Agreed, Pascal for Reed may seem like a stretch for some but Quinn as Johnny is fire. Also Moss-Bachrach for Ben is a rock solid choice. And Margot Robbie as Sue Storm is doing great. She's completely invisible in this flick. Not sure who Kirby's playing.
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 7/6/2025, 10:55 AM
@ObserverIO - I actually think Kirbys great for Sue too, she brings a motherly but reserved vibe. Again though, it all depends on the writing
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 7/6/2025, 10:57 AM
@NonPlayerC - I do too, lol I was just [frick]ing around. Margot Robbie was my fancast, but Kirby's a good choice. I approve.
kylo0607
kylo0607 - 7/6/2025, 6:14 AM
Some of the best casting in recent memory for Reed. Quinn as Johnny is also great.
ProfessorWhy
ProfessorWhy - 7/6/2025, 7:32 AM
@kylo0607 - yeah. I look at that pic and I see the FF now. I feel good about this movie overall
mountainman
mountainman - 7/6/2025, 8:03 AM
@kylo0607 - I guess we have to balance this out.

Pedro is terrible for Reed.

Quinn is fine as Johnny.
Jackraow21
Jackraow21 - 7/6/2025, 9:26 AM
@ProfessorWhy - Same.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 7/6/2025, 9:55 AM
@kylo0607 - he's quite wrong.
tylerzero
tylerzero - 7/6/2025, 6:25 AM
Pedro isn't that much taller than Vanessa, right? That's the only issue (no pun) I have with this magazine cover.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/6/2025, 7:26 AM
@tylerzero -

Kirby IRL is 1.7M or 5'7 (Official comic height of Sue is 5'6)
Pascal IRL is 1.8M or 5'11 (offical comic height of Reed is 6'1)

As an aside Ebon's height is almost the same as comic Things at 6'1/6'
Quinn is 5'10 and Johnny the exact same give or take a quarter inch.

At times Vanessa likely won't seem as short as she likely wears high heals, and decent size ones at that like a LOT of women, esp those on the shorter end for what the film/TV normaly seem to present as average which is oft closer to that of catwalk models at 5'9+ (average in the UK is actualy 5'4). Average height for men in the UK/US I believe is around 5'10, 2 inches taller than the global average
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/6/2025, 8:20 AM
@tylerzero - according to fan casting Pedro should 1 foot taller meet reed height in comics pedro , Robert Downey jr - dr doom , Welty snipes , don cheadle , josh brolin , all are 1 foot short playing characters in movies
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/6/2025, 8:23 AM
@Apophis71 - what difference does height make to characters when fans over look other people who shorter in comics don cheadle , Robert Downey jr as doom , josh brolin , Wesley snipes all are 1 foot shorter not one complaint about those people height and weight at all
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 7/6/2025, 10:53 AM
@tylerzero - My issue is that they followed the trope of having to sexualize the woman by making her turn around and show her ass. However they did find a good character reason for her doing this and it is a damn fine ass.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/6/2025, 1:38 PM
@dragon316 - Height makes very little difference at all, almost non to me but was answering a question which related to to if the mag cover intentionaaly made the differences greater and thus nothing to do with if source accurate or not. As it is they almost all are within an inch of the official character height, again, not that it matters beyond being interesting after prior HUGE difference (non more so than with Wolverine).
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 7/6/2025, 8:53 AM
I have changed my mind about this movie. I'm gonna skip it. Not gonna see this in the theatre.
Canyoublush
Canyoublush - 7/6/2025, 9:52 AM
@WEAPONXOXOXO - Whatever you do I guarantee you that this film is better than superman. Mark my words. You’re better off watching this than James Gunn’s attempt at the man of steel.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 7/6/2025, 9:57 AM
@Canyoublush - highly doubt it but I'll eat crow if I'm wrong.
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 7/6/2025, 9:14 AM
Pedro as Reed is truly terrible. Quinn as Johnny is horrible. I liked Kirby as Sue at first but she's starting to look older and older by day. The only one I even remotely like is Moss as Thing, but he should've done the gravelly voice.
DNiceTwiceasnic
DNiceTwiceasnic - 7/6/2025, 12:32 PM
@WalletsClosed - I can't stand when actors put on a "gravelly" voice. Reminds me of Bale and his "batman voice" always sounded stupid to me. All the castings are good because they are all quality actors. Comparing their looks 1 to 1 with their comicbook equivalents makes no sense, the mcu is it's own thing.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 7/6/2025, 9:46 AM
After the garbage the MCU has dropped on us over the last 5 years, I think this one is gonna be a winner.

It sure better be.
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 7/6/2025, 11:03 AM
@DocSpock -User Comment Image
DocSpock
DocSpock - 7/6/2025, 11:37 AM
@NonPlayerC -

Huh?
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 7/6/2025, 12:34 PM
@DocSpock - it's like a Gambling addiction, get so many losses in a row and your next hand is bound to be a winner. it was a stretch
DocSpock
DocSpock - 7/6/2025, 2:25 PM
@NonPlayerC -

It makes complete sense.

And about half of the MCU fans have quit gambling on them.
TheNewYorkerr
TheNewYorkerr - 7/6/2025, 9:48 AM
Every single clip, poster, or bit of promo about this looks weird and oddly made. From the cast to the color grading. Everything just looks.. weird.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/6/2025, 11:49 AM
Sweet , that’s a nice cover!!.

I’m assuming the “Doom Detection” thing is just an Easter egg but I would like RDJ’s Victor to be from this reality then any other random one (maybe the Illuminati one could work too but that’s it)..

It not only streamlines things but I just like the idea of the FF’s greatest villain having the face of the MCU’s biggest savior.

User Comment Image
Razorface1
Razorface1 - 7/6/2025, 1:08 PM
You mean Doctor Stark?

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder