5 Big Questions THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Raises About AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

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If you haven’t watched “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” yet and wish to steer clear of spoilers, keep this tab handy as you make your way to the cinema.

In a similar manner to how Thunderbolts introduced Marvel’s initial family into the MCU through an end-credits scene, The Fantastic Four: First Steps concluded with its own grand reveal. As anticipated/desired, the film fulfilled its purpose. It hinted at the appearance of the franchise’s upcoming supervillain, Doctor Doom. However, despite his foreboding introduction, there remains a great deal that is still unknown about him. Rather than providing answers, The Fantastic Four: First Steps posed several significant questions for Avengers: Doomsday. Here are the most crucial ones.

Why Was Latveria’s Seat Empty at the Future Foundation?

In Sue’s address to the Future Foundation, which resembles Earth-828’s United Nations, one nation’s chair was conspicuously vacant. The absence of a representative from Latveria, Doctor Doom’s native land where he holds power, raised questions. Was its ambassador not present? Who exactly serves as Latveria’s ambassador? Could it be Doctor Doom himself?

A more crucial aspect is the riddle of why The Fantastic Four: First Steps presented an empty seat to us. Was it merely a playful hint at Doom’s arrival at the end of the movie in Avengers: Doomsday? Or could it be a more substantial reference, indicating that Latveria’s presence within the Fantastic Four’s dimension and the empty chair hold greater significance? This might hinge on the unresolved question the film left us pondering.

What Dimension Is the MCU’s Doctor Doom Actually From?

In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” it was confirmed that Latveria is located in the Earth-828 dimension. However, just because this is the case doesn’t necessarily mean that the Doctor Doom character appearing at the end of the movie is from this same universe. Reed Richards, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, hinted at the existence of parallel worlds within the storyline. Galactus was older than this particular universe due to not originating from it. This film takes place in a well-known multiverse, so while it’s possible that the hooded figure playing with Franklin Richards is indeed from Earth-828, there’s no certainty of this fact.

To fully understand Doom’s origins, it’s essential to discover the dimension he hails from, the reasons behind his arrival on Earth-828, and how he became aware of Franklin’s extraordinary cosmic abilities.

It’s uncertain if the character in the hood, referred to as Hooded Doom, is Robert Downey Jr.’s character or a variant because we didn’t see his face. However, it would be quite surprising if it wasn’t him. Given the tight timeline of the MCU, there seems to be insufficient time for a swap. The upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday , is set to hit theaters in December 2026, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day being the only other MCU movie due before that. Initially, Spider-Man: Brand New Day was scheduled after Doomsday. Its plot is likely to have minimal or no ties with Doom, strongly suggesting it features Downey Jr., especially since the Russo brothers directed that particular scene.

If Doom Lives on Earth-828, Where Was He During the Events of the Film?

We’ve addressed all questions about Downey Doom not hailing from Earth-828, but what if it is actually his home dimension instead? Could he be a fellow inhabitant of the Fantastic Four and Franklin Richards’ universe? If so, this scenario raises an intriguing question with significant ramifications: where was he during the First Steps? A brilliant man who cherishes his homeland and its populace chose to stay out of the fight as a cosmic entity threatened Earth’s existence? Victor von Doom seemed indifferent about safeguarding his world? He was content with that outcome?

It doesn’t seem logical; was he from another realm, another world, or perhaps stuck somewhere? Even so, one might wonder why it took him four years to seek out Franklin. Could this delay suggest that he only recently became aware of the boy’s abilities? Might Doom have needed time to develop a plan before attempting to acquire the child? We understand why Doom wants Franklin (it ties back to incursions and ultimate power), but we remain puzzled as to why he approached the child at that specific moment.

What Exactly will Bring the Fantastic Four to Earth-616?

In the comic book series “Thunderbolts,” the Fantastic Four made their appearance on Earth-616. We hoped to find out why in the story “First Steps,” but the movie left us puzzled about it. It seems they might be pursuing Franklin, as he was allegedly kidnapped by Doom. But if that’s true, one wonders why Doom would bring him to Earth-616, since it’s not his native dimension. Given that he’ll resemble Tony Stark in some way, we understand that Earth-616 can’t be his original home world.

Or could it be that the Fantastic Four are escaping to another dimension, primarily to protect Franklin? If so, is it Earth-616 that they consider a refuge? Could they be seeking aid from a particular individual in this situation? It’s also plausible that Franklin himself opted for that alternate world.

Did Galactus’ Appearance and/or Disappearance Influence Doom’s Plan?

It appeared that Galactus sought Franklin and his abilities in order to alleviate his endless hunger. Yet, this encounter seemed to uncover something for Victor von Doom. Was it the danger lurking within the multiverse, given that Galactus hails from another dimension? Or perhaps it showed Doom just how formidable the child is and what he’s truly capable of?

Could it have been the triumph of the Fantastic Four that sparked Doom’s actions instead? They dispatched a formidable creature far into the cosmos without any means of return. Was it this act that made the power-hungry Doom understand his own peril would persist as long as the Fantastic Four continued to exist?

Although Robert Downey Jr’s character, Doctor Doom, made a mysterious entrance without revealing his origins, there are numerous unanswered questions regarding his background, such as where he came from and what led to his appearance among the Fantastic Four. However, one fact is clear: he’s on track to become a global issue for everyone.

* Mike Walsh, a staff writer at TopMob, strongly advocated against Sue Storm handing over her child to a massive cosmic creature. He appreciates your understanding on this matter. You can keep up with him on Bluesky @burgermike, and he’s also recognized for his rankings of the Targaryen kings in various platforms.

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2025-07-25 05:03