This story comprises spoilers for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Marvel’s First Household has lastly made its formal MCU debut, which suggests it’s time to have interaction in everybody’s favourite custom: breaking down the film’s post-credits teases to suss out what’s subsequent.
Directed by “WandaVision” helmer Matt Shakman, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces audiences to Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn). The film, which formally opens Friday, pits the quartet of superpowered astronauts in opposition to Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a cosmic entity with an insatiable starvation for planets.
Because the title teases, “First Steps” marks the start of Section 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which can culminate with a pair of huge “Avengers” crossover movies.
Like most MCU installments, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” options a number of post-credits stingers. The primary, which is proven halfway by means of the top credit, units up the superhero workforce’s subsequent huge journey.
The mid-credits scene takes place 4 years after the Improbable 4’s showdown with Galactus. It reveals Sue sitting on a sofa, studying a narrative to her and Reed’s son, Franklin Richards. After ending the e-book, she steps away to seize one other, turning down robo-assistant H.E.R.B.I.E.’s steered title. Sensing one thing is improper, Sue begins charging her powers. She rounds the nook to examine on Franklin and finds a mysterious cloaked determine interacting together with her youngster.
Whereas his face will not be proven, his inexperienced cloak and the masks he’s holding make it clear to followers accustomed to their Marvel lore that that is Physician Doom.
This marks the primary look of the long-lasting villain within the MCU. The character, also referred to as Victor von Doom, made his comedian e-book debut in “Fantastic Four” No. 5 (1962) and has been a foe of Marvel’s First Household ever since. Within the comics, the character is each a scientific genius and a sorcerer hailing from the fictional nation of Latveria. (The identify of the nation is briefly proven in “Fantastic Four: First Steps.”)
Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) and her son, Franklin (Ada Scott), in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
(Marvel Studios)
Doom’s introduction into the MCU has been extremely anticipated since Marvel Studios’ presentation final yr at San Diego Comedian-Con. Among the many main bulletins was that the fifth “Avengers” movie had been retitled “Avengers: Doomsday” and that “Iron Man” actor Robert Downey Jr. could be returning to the franchise as Physician Doom.
Whereas Doom’s precise curiosity in Franklin will not be revealed, it’s straightforward to imagine that the kid’s powers could be interesting to a supervillain. This encounter additionally hints on the purpose why the Improbable 4 finally make their solution to the universe the place the remainder of the MCU heroes reside.
“First Steps” is about on Earth-828 — a tribute to “Fantastic Four” co-creator Jack Kirby, who was born Aug. 28, 1917 — a retrofuturistic world in a separate nook of the Marvel multiverse. However the “Thunderbolts*” post-credits scene reveals the Improbable 4’s spacecraft Excelsior showing of their world on Earth-616. May Doom have kidnapped younger Franklin and brought him to an alternate universe? Regardless of the purpose, Samuel Sterns’ warning from the “Captain America: Brave New World” post-credits scene was apt: The multiverse is coming.
Followers would possibly marvel how the “Fantastic Four” post-credits scene may need performed out had the studio not altered its unique plans to characteristic Kang the Conqueror because the franchise’s subsequent huge dangerous. Within the comics Kang and Franklin are a part of the identical household tree so it’s straightforward to think about him because the shock interloper Sue sees. Both approach, a magical nanny may need been useful. (Marvel Studios pivoted from its unique plan after Kang actor Jonathan Majors was convicted on assault and harassment expenses in 2023.)
The second “Fantastic Four: First Steps” credit scene is proven after the complete credit roll and serves extra as a enjoyable bonus and tribute to the eponymous superhero workforce’s animated previous.
“Avengers: Doomsday,” hitting theaters Dec. 18, 2026, shall be a large MCU crossover that includes members of the Improbable 4, the Thunderbolts/New Avengers and extra. Confirmed “Doomsday” solid members embody veteran “Avengers” stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki), in addition to Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov/Purple Guardian), Lewis Pullman (Bob Reynolds), Wyatt Russell (John Walker) and Hannah John-Kamen (Ava Starr/Ghost).
Up subsequent for the MCU is “Wonder Man,” a collection starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II that may debut on Disney+ in December. The subsequent Section 6 movie is Marvel and Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” slated for a July 2026 launch.
