2025 marks a monumental year for Marvel across various media platforms, but none more eagerly awaited than The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This film not only ushers in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but also introduces Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, alongside his superhero family. With the anticipation building, fans hope that the long wait for a truly exceptional Fantastic Four movie will soon come to an end.
The excitement is palpable, especially after the release of the teaser trailer for First Steps. It offers an in-depth look at the core team and introduces us to formidable foes like Ralph Ineson's Galactus and a mysterious character portrayed by John Malkovich. Yet, the burning question on many fans' minds remains: Where is Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom?
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Where Is Robert Downey, Jr.’s Doctor Doom?
Marvel made waves at last year's San Diego Comic-Con by announcing that The Avengers 5 would be retitled The Avengers: Doomsday, with Robert Downey, Jr. stepping into the role of Doctor Doom. This surprising casting choice, given the historical rivalry between Doom and Iron Man, has left fans curious about how The Fantastic Four will set the stage for Doom's emergence as a major Avengers-level antagonist.
Marvel Studios is keeping details under wraps, with the teaser offering no direct hints of Doom's involvement. Instead, it highlights a fresh approach for First Steps, focusing on villains like Galactus and Silver Surfer, as well as John Malkovich's intriguing character. Historically, Doctor Doom has been a central figure in previous Fantastic Four films, but this time, his presence is notably downplayed.
Given Doom's iconic status as a Fantastic Four adversary and the proximity of First Steps to Avengers: Doomsday in May 2026, it's likely that the film will play a crucial role in establishing Doom's character. A key question is whether Downey's Doom originates from the same universe as First Steps or if he hails from a different reality, possibly one where Tony Stark's path took a darker turn.
Even if Doom's appearance is limited to a post-credits scene, fans hope First Steps will shed light on his origins and motivations for targeting the MCU's Avengers. However, Doom will not overshadow the main storyline; the Fantastic Four have larger, more immediate threats to contend with.
The Fantastic Four vs. Galactus
The teaser trailer clearly positions Galactus as the primary antagonist for the Fantastic Four in First Steps. Voiced by Ralph Ineson, Galactus is the self-proclaimed Devourer of Worlds, a classic Marvel character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. First appearing in 1966's Fantastic Four #48, he kickstarted the "Galactus Trilogy," where he and his herald, the Silver Surfer, target Earth for consumption.
Galactus' backstory has been enriched over the years, revealing him 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 he is today. Though not a traditional villain, his role in the universe's cycle of life and death is pivotal, albeit terrifying for any planet in his path.
Drawing inspiration from the Galactus Trilogy, First Steps presents a well-established Fantastic Four facing their most significant challenge yet. The film may delve into the extreme measures Reed Richards and his team will take to save Earth, possibly involving the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of altering the multiverse itself. This could tie into broader MCU storylines involving Incursions.
Unlike the 2007 film Rise of the Silver Surfer, which portrayed Galactus as a cloud-like entity, First Steps opts for a more comic-accurate humanoid depiction, emphasizing his character over mere force of nature.
While Galactus dominates the teaser, his herald, the Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner, is absent. Traditionally, the Silver Surfer scouts planets for Galactus but, upon encountering Earth, rebels against his master, becoming a hero in his own right. Despite the gender swap, Garner's Silver Surfer is expected to follow a similar arc.
Who Is John Malkovich Playing?
While Galactus and Silver Surfer are the headline villains, the teaser hints at additional antagonists, including a brief glimpse of John Malkovich. Rumors suggest he might be playing Ivan Kragoff, aka The Red Ghost, a Soviet scientist who gains powers similar to the Fantastic Four's, accompanied by his super-powered apes. Given Malkovich's history with Russian roles, this seems plausible.
Another possibility is Mole Man, another iconic Fantastic Four villain, who could be Malkovich's character given the cave-dwelling appearance. Either way, Malkovich's role is likely that of a secondary villain, challenging the Fantastic Four early in the film.
The film also stars Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Hauser, whose roles remain unconfirmed, adding to the anticipation and speculation around First Steps.
Meet the Fantastic Four
The teaser primarily focuses on the Fantastic Four themselves: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. It also introduces their robot companion, H.E.R.B.I.E., emphasizing the family dynamic central to the team.
The film appears to be set in a time when the Fantastic Four are already established heroes, with the teaser hinting at flashbacks to their origins without being a full origin story. The costumes, inspired by John Byrne's '80s comics, reflect their identity as scientists and adventurers, moving away from traditional superhero attire.
Marvel's marketing has highlighted the Future Foundation, suggesting a focus on nurturing young super-geniuses, possibly including Reed and Sue's children, Franklin and Valeria. The "First Steps" title hints at themes of parenthood and family, with young Franklin potentially playing a significant role in the storyline, perhaps even linked to Galactus' interest in Earth.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, promising a thrilling new chapter for the MCU.
