Doctor Doom's Absence in Fantastic Four Teaser: Where Is He?

2025 marks a pivotal year for Marvel across all media, but no project is more eagerly awaited than *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*. This film not only launches Phase 6 of the MCU but also finally introduces Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards alongside his superhero family, sparking hope that our long wait for a truly great Fantastic Four movie is nearing its end.

The newly released teaser trailer for *First Steps* has heightened excitement, offering a detailed look at the main quartet 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 do and don’t see in this intriguing new trailer.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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

Marvel made waves at last year's San Diego Comic-Con with the announcement that *The Avengers 5* has been retitled *The Avengers: Doomsday* and that Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom. This unexpected casting, given the rich history between Doom and Iron Man in the comics, has left fans wondering about the role *The Fantastic Four* movie will play in establishing Doom as the next major Avengers-level threat.

Marvel Studios is keeping details under wraps, and the teaser doesn't overtly hint at Doom's presence. Instead, it highlights a different approach from previous Fantastic Four films, focusing on Galactus, Silver Surfer, and the enigmatic John Malkovich. While Julian McMahon and Toby Kebbell played prominent Dooms in earlier movies, *First Steps* seems to be sidelining Doom in favor of other villains.

Given Doom's integral connection to the Fantastic Four and the proximity of *First Steps* to *Avengers: Doomsday*, it's reasonable to assume the film will set the stage for Doom's emergence. The big question is which universe Downey's Doom comes from. Is he from the same world as *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*? Or does he hail from a different reality where Tony Stark's life took a darker turn? Even a post-credits scene could shed light on this character's origins and his motives against the MCU's Avengers.

Regardless of Doom's role in *First Steps*, whether as a supporting villain or a brief cameo, the Fantastic Four will have their hands full with other challenges.

The teaser clearly establishes Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, as the primary antagonist the Fantastic Four will face. Voiced by Ralph Ineson, Galactus is a classic Marvel character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, debuting in 1966's *Fantastic Four #48* as part of the "Galactus Trilogy." In this iconic storyline, Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer, arrive to consume Earth, forcing the Fantastic Four into a desperate struggle against this cosmic threat.

Galactus's backstory has been expanded over the years, revealing his origins as Galan of Taa, a survivor of the pre-Big Bang universe who bonded with the Sentience of the Universe to become the cosmic entity known as Galactus. His role in the Marvel Universe is more of a necessary cosmic function than traditional villainy, yet his world-consuming appetite poses a dire threat to any planet he targets.

First Steps draws inspiration from the Galactus Trilogy, portraying a well-established Fantastic Four facing their greatest challenge yet. The question remains how far Reed and his family will go to save Earth. In the comics, Reed threatens Galactus with the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon with the power to destroy and remake the multiverse. Will this device appear in the film, and how might it tie into the broader Multiverse Saga and the issue of Incursions?

Unlike *Rise of the Silver Surfer*, which depicted Galactus as a cloud-like entity, *First Steps* presents him in a more traditional humanoid form, emphasizing his character over mere force of nature. This approach is reflected in the casting of Ralph Ineson.

While Galactus is prominently featured, his herald, the Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner, is absent from the teaser. In the comics, the Silver Surfer scouts planets for Galactus but eventually turns against him after developing empathy for Earth. Expect a similar arc in *First Steps*, though with a gender-swapped Silver Surfer.

While Galactus and Silver Surfer are the main antagonists, the teaser also includes a brief shot of John Malkovich, sparking speculation about his role. Rumors suggest he might be playing Ivan Kragoff, aka The Red Ghost, a Soviet scientist who gained powers similar to the Fantastic Four. Alternatively, he could be portraying Mole Man, another iconic FF villain rumored to appear in the film.

Regardless of his character, Malkovich likely plays a secondary villain, adding to the Fantastic Four's rogues' gallery. The film also stars Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Hauser, whose roles remain unconfirmed, adding to the mystery and excitement surrounding First Steps.

The teaser primarily focuses on the Fantastic Four themselves, showcasing Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. We also see glimpses of their helper robot, H.E.R.B.I.E.

The film emphasizes the family dynamics of the Fantastic Four, highlighting the love and dysfunction that define them. Ben's struggle with his monstrous form and Reed's guilt over causing it are likely to be central themes. The trailer indicates that the FF are already established heroes in this universe, with some flashbacks to their origins but not serving as an origin story like previous films.

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

Marketing for the film has highlighted the Future Foundation, a concept from the comics where Reed nurtures the next generation of super-geniuses. This raises the possibility of younger heroes, including Reed and Sue's children, Franklin and Valeria, appearing in the movie. The title "First Steps" suggests themes of parenthood and child-rearing, and Franklin's immense powers might explain Galactus's interest in Earth.

*The Fantastic Four: First Steps* promises to be a thrilling addition to the MCU, set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. Fans are eager to see how the film sets up future storylines, including the potential appearance of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.