2025 marks a monumental year for Marvel across all media, but none more so than with the eagerly awaited release of *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*. This film not only initiates Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but also introduces fans to Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and his superhero family. With high hopes, the long-standing quest for a truly remarkable Fantastic Four movie may finally come to an end.

The excitement builds with the newly released teaser trailer for *First Steps*, offering a closer look at the iconic foursome and our first glimpse of antagonists such as Ralph Ineson's Galactus and John Malkovich's mysterious character. However, the burning question on many fans' minds remains—where is Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom? Let's delve into what we see and don't see in this intriguing trailer.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

20 ImagesWhere Is Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom?

Marvel caused a stir at last year's San Diego Comic-Con by announcing that *The Avengers 5* had been renamed *The Avengers: Doomsday* and that Robert Downey, Jr. would portray Doctor Doom. Given the rich history between Doom and Iron Man in the comics, this was a surprising and intriguing choice. Fans are now eager to understand how *The Fantastic Four* movie ties into setting up Doom as the next formidable Avengers-level threat.

As expected, Marvel Studios is keeping details under wraps. The teaser trailer offers no clear hints about Doom's presence, emphasizing instead a fresh approach to the Fantastic Four narrative. Previous iterations featured Julian McMahon's Doom as a central antagonist in 2005's *Fantastic Four* and 2007's *Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer*, and Toby Kebbell's Doom in the 2015 reboot. This time, the focus shifts to Galactus, Silver Surfer, and John Malkovich's character.

Given Doom's primary association with the Fantastic Four, it's reasonable to expect that *First Steps* will play a role in his introduction. With *Avengers: Doomsday* scheduled for May 2026, this film is likely to lay some groundwork for Doom's emergence as a major villain. The key question is from which universe Downey's Doom originates. Since he's not from Earth-616, is he from the same universe as *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*? Or does he hail from an entirely different realm? Even if Doom's appearance is limited to a post-credits scene, fans hope *First Steps* will clarify his character and his motivations against the MCU's Avengers.

While Doom's role in *First Steps* remains uncertain, whether as a supporting villain or a brief cameo, the Fantastic Four have more pressing concerns to tackle.

The teaser trailer leaves no doubt about the main adversary in *First Steps*—Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, voiced by Ralph Ineson of *Game of Thrones* fame. A classic Marvel character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Galactus first appeared in 1966's *Fantastic Four #48*, launching the iconic "Galactus Trilogy." In this storyline, Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer, arrive to consume Earth, forcing the Fantastic Four to take desperate action against their colossal opponent.

Over time, subsequent Marvel tales have expanded Galactus' backstory and his place in the cosmic hierarchy. Originally a mortal named Galan of Taa, he survived the pre-Big Bang universe and merged with the Sentience of the Universe to become Galactus. He has since roamed the cosmos, seeking life-rich worlds to feed his endless hunger.

Galactus is less a traditional supervillain and more a being fulfilling a cosmic necessity. His world-devouring acts contribute to the cycle of death and rebirth in the Marvel Universe, though this is little solace for those on planets in his path.

First Steps draws heavily from the Galactus Trilogy, portraying a well-established Fantastic Four with a devoted fanbase now facing their most daunting challenge yet. The film raises the question of how far Reed and his family will go to save Earth. In the comics, Reed confronts Galactus with the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of destroying and recreating the multiverse. Will this weapon feature in the movie, and could it tie into the larger narrative of the Multiverse Saga and Incursions?

Unlike the portrayal of Galactus as a cloud in *Rise of the Silver Surfer*, *First Steps* presents him in his classic humanoid form, towering over landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. This choice suggests a more character-driven approach, enhanced by Ineson's casting.

While Galactus dominates the teaser, Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner, is notably absent. Traditionally, Silver Surfer serves as Galactus' herald before turning against him to protect Earth. Despite the gender swap, we anticipate a similar arc, with Silver Surfer's encounter with Earth reigniting memories of her life on Zenn-La and prompting rebellion against her master.

Galactus and Silver Surfer may be the primary villains, but John Malkovich's brief appearance hints at another antagonist. Speculation suggests he could be Ivan Kragoff, better known as The Red Ghost. In the comics, Kragoff is a Soviet scientist who replicates the Fantastic Four's origin flight, gaining powers alongside three apes. Given Malkovich's history with Russian roles, this casting seems plausible. Yet, the film's approach to Red Ghost's campy origins and potential inclusion of super-powered apes remains to be seen.

Alternatively, Malkovich might portray Mole Man, another classic FF villain rumored to appear. Known for his underground kingdom and obsession with the surface world, Mole Man's appearance could align with Malkovich's character's cave-dweller look.

Regardless of the character, Malkovich is likely playing a secondary villain, clashing with the FF early in the film. Given the team's established status, it makes sense for them to have a diverse rogues' gallery.

Other unconfirmed roles in the film include Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Houser. We invite fans to share their theories on these characters in the comments below.

The teaser primarily focuses on the Fantastic Four themselves, featuring Pedro Pascal as the brilliant scientist and family patriarch Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as the intrepid Susan Storm, Joseph Quinn as the hotheaded Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bacharach as the stubborn Ben Grimm. We also catch a glimpse of the family's robot helper, H.E.R.B.I.E.

The trailer emphasizes the family dynamic within the team, showcasing both love and dysfunction. It appears the film will explore Ben's struggle with his monstrous transformation and Reed's guilt over causing it.

Unlike the origin-focused 2005 and 2015 films, *First Steps* depicts the Fantastic Four as established celebrity heroes. However, the trailer includes flashbacks to the team's origins, showing a pre-Thing Ben Grimm and the aftermath of the accident that granted them powers.

The costumes in First Steps differ significantly from previous iterations, featuring a blue and white color scheme reminiscent of John Byrne's 1980s Fantastic Four comics. These functional Space Age uniforms reflect each character's personality and their roles as scientists and adventurers.

Marvel's marketing for the film has highlighted the Future Foundation, a concept from the comics where Reed nurtures the next generation of super-geniuses. This could suggest the inclusion of younger heroes, possibly Reed and Sue's children, Franklin and Valeria. The title "First Steps" hints at themes of parenthood and raising children.

There's a strong possibility of young Franklin Richards appearing, whose immense powers might be linked to Galactus' interest in Earth. *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* is set to premiere on July 25, 2025.

What are your thoughts on Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom potentially appearing in the movie? Share your theories in the comments below.