Doctor Doom's Absence in Fantastic Four's New Teaser Trailer Explored

2025 marks a monumental year for Marvel across all media, with no project more anticipated than The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This film not only launches Phase 6 of the MCU but also introduces Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, alongside his superhero family. Fans have been eagerly awaiting a truly great Fantastic Four movie, and it seems that wait might soon be over.

The excitement is palpable with the release of the teaser trailer for First Steps, which offers an intimate look at the main foursome and introduces antagonists like Ralph Ineson's Galactus and John Malkovich's mysterious character. Yet, the burning question for many remains: Where is Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom? Let's delve into what the trailer reveals and leaves to the imagination.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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

Marvel made headlines at last year's San Diego Comic-Con by revealing that The Avengers 5 is now titled The Avengers: Doomsday and that Doctor Doom will be portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr. This unexpected casting choice, given the rich history between Doom and Iron Man in the comics, has left fans curious about how The Fantastic Four movie will set up Doom as the next major Avengers-level threat.

Marvel Studios is keeping details close, and the teaser offers no explicit hints of Doom's presence. Instead, it highlights a different approach from past Fantastic Four films, focusing on Galactus, Silver Surfer, and John Malkovich's enigmatic role. Previously, Julian McMahon's Doom was central to the 2005 and 2007 films, while Toby Kebbell's Doom was pivotal in the 2015 reboot. This time, however, Marvel is downplaying Doom to emphasize other threats.

It's reasonable to expect that First Steps will lay some groundwork for Doom's introduction. As a primary Fantastic Four villain and with Avengers: Doomsday looming in May 2026, some form of tease seems inevitable. The crucial question is which universe Downey's Doom originates from. Not being from Earth-616 due to the casting choice, is Doom from the First Steps universe, or another darker reality? Even a brief post-credits scene could help establish this character's identity and motives for targeting the MCU's Avengers.

Despite Doom's potential presence, he won't be the main focus of First Steps. The Fantastic Four have more immediate, colossal challenges to tackle.

The teaser clearly establishes Galactus, voiced by Ralph Ineson, as the primary antagonist. Known as the Devourer of Worlds, Galactus is a classic Marvel character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first appearing in 1966's Fantastic Four #48 and kicking off the renowned "Galactus Trilogy." In this storyline, Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer, target Earth, forcing the Fantastic Four to take extreme measures against their cosmic foe.

Galactus's backstory is rich; originally a mortal named Galan of Taa, he survived the pre-Big Bang universe and bonded with the Sentience of the Universe, becoming the entity we know today. His role in consuming life-rich planets is part of the cosmic cycle of death and rebirth in the Marvel Universe—a fact that offers little solace to those facing his wrath.

First Steps appears to draw heavily from the Galactus Trilogy, presenting a well-established Fantastic Four facing their greatest challenge yet. The question remains how far Reed and his family will go to protect Earth. In the comics, Reed threatens Galactus with the Ultimate Nullifier, a device capable of destroying and remaking the multiverse. Will this weapon appear in the film, and how might it connect to the broader Multiverse Saga and Incursions?

Unlike Rise of the Silver Surfer, which portrayed Galactus as a cloud, First Steps features him in his humanoid form, looming over the Statue of Liberty. This choice to cast Ineson indicates a more character-driven approach to Galactus.

While Galactus is prominent in the teaser, his herald, the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner, remains unseen. The Silver Surfer, who debuted alongside Galactus, initially serves as his scout but later rebels due to memories of her mortal life on Zenn-La. Expect a similar arc to Laurence Fishburne's portrayal in the 2007 film, despite the gender swap.

Galactus and Silver Surfer are the main threats, but the teaser hints at other adversaries, including a brief shot of John Malkovich. Rumors suggest he might be playing Ivan Kragoff, known as The Red Ghost, a Soviet scientist who gains powers similar to the Fantastic Four after a space mission with apes. Given Malkovich's history with Russian roles, this casting seems plausible. Whether the film will embrace the campy elements of Red Ghost and his Super-Apes remains to be seen.

Another possibility is Mole Man, another iconic FF villain rumored for the film. Shunned by society, Mole Man becomes king of the Moloids and seeks to conquer the surface world. Malkovich's appearance suggests a subterranean lifestyle.

Regardless of the character, Malkovich is likely to play a secondary villain, clashing with the FF early in the movie. With the team already well-established, a diverse rogues' gallery makes sense.

Malkovich is among several actors with unconfirmed roles, including Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Hauser. Theories about their characters are welcome in the comments.

The teaser primarily showcases the Fantastic Four: Pedro Pascal as the brilliant Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as the fearless Susan Storm, Joseph Quinn as the fiery Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the steadfast Ben Grimm. We also catch a glimpse of their helper robot, H.E.R.B.I.E.

The film emphasizes the family dynamic of the Fantastic Four, highlighting both their unity and internal conflicts. Ben's struggle with his monstrous transformation and Reed's guilt over causing it are expected to be central themes.

Unlike previous films, First Steps is set in a time when the FF are established celebrities, not an origin story. However, flashbacks to their origins, including pre-Thing Ben Grimm and the aftermath of their power-granting accident, are included.

The costumes in First Steps differ significantly from past films, adopting a blue and white color scheme reminiscent of John Byrne's '80s comics. These outfits reflect the team's identity as scientists and adventurers, rather than traditional superheroes.

Marketing for the film emphasizes the Future Foundation, a comic book organization founded by Reed to nurture young geniuses. This raises questions about whether we'll see younger heroes like Reed and Sue's children, Franklin and Valeria. The title "First Steps" hints at themes of parenthood and raising the next generation.

Given Franklin Richards's immense power, his presence could explain Galactus's interest in Earth. We'll discover more when Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres on July 25, 2025.

Do you think Downey's Doctor Doom will appear in the movie? Share your theories in the comments below.