Who was really on set for Marvel’s teasing The Fantastic Four: First Steps mid-credits scene? Sue Storm actress Vanessa Kirby has now discussed the brief but revelatory moment that sets up Avengers: Doomsday.
Warning! Spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps follow.
Speaking to Variety, Kirby confirmed the scene was filmed during the ongoing production of Avengers: Doomsday and was therefore directed by the Russo Brothers — just as the post-credits scene in Thunderbolts*/The New Avengers was also.
Notably, the scene shows our first look at Doctor Doom, who has appeared in the Baxter Building and is ominously holding baby Franklin. Doom has even taken off his mask, but audiences don’t get to see Doom’s face — something that has prompted speculation that Robert Downey Jr. was actually not on set. Now, however, Kirby has cleared up speculation — and confirmed this moment really was our first look at Doom as played by Downey Jr., even if we do only see the back of his cowl.
“Yeah!” Kirby said, when asked if she had really shared the scene with the former Iron Man star. “Robert’s never not been on set. He’s always there. He is our leader. We call him our Godfather. He’s looked after us. It’s such a joy working with the Russos and him, because they’ve had such deep collaboration for so long.
“And it’s been amazing being pregnant and working on Avengers,” Kirby continued. “I felt so inspired and so relieved that I’ve been so taken care of. It’s been a really beautiful journey. Robert is just doing incredible work. I’m so excited.”
So, what happens next? Well, we know The Fantastic Four will next be seen in Avengers: Doomsday, and we’ve already seen their spaceship travelling into the main MCU, via Thunderbolts*/The New Avengers’ post-credits scene. Fans suspect that this scene follows the abduction of Franklin by Doom, and shows the Four rushing to the main MCU to get him back.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is off to a strong start at the box office, with a global tally of $218 million for its opening weekend. In the US, Marvel’s first family enjoyed the fourth biggest domestic opening of 2025, behind A Minecraft Movie ($162 million), Lilo & Stitch ($146 million), and Superman ($125 million).
As for Downey Jr. himself, the actor posted a cryptic tease on social media this weekend pointing to a 1988 issue of Marvel’s The West Coast Avengers #35. We’ve gone into detail about what this might be hinting to within Avengers: Doomsday right here.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to launch December 18, 2026, and will feature The Fantastic Four, Sam Wilson’s Avengers, The New Avengers and various members of the X-Men from the old Fox movie universe. Oh, and Doctor Doom too, of course.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
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