Fantastic Four First Steps: Shocking Post-Credit Scenes & Avengers Doomsday Leaks Revealed!
July 25, 2025 – Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps, released today, has ignited a firestorm of excitement and speculation among fans, fueled by its post-credit scenes and a major leak that has rocked the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Matt Shakman, the film introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic setting. As the first film in MCU’s Phase 6, it sets the stage for Avengers: Doomsday, slated for December 18, 2026, with a significant connection to Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and the powerful Franklin Richards. Here’s everything you need to know about the post-credit scenes, the leaked content, and what it means for the MCU’s future.
How Many Post-Credit Scenes Are in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
The Fantastic Four: First Steps features two post-credit scenes, a hallmark of MCU films that tease future storylines and crossovers. Fans are advised to stay through the credits to catch both—a mid-credits scene and a post-credits stinger—each offering distinct insights into the MCU’s trajectory.
Mid-Credits Scene: Doctor Doom and Franklin Richards
The mid-credits scene, reportedly directed by the Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame), takes place four years after the events of First Steps. Set in the Baxter Building on Earth-828, Sue Storm is seen reading a book, possibly The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to her now four-year-old son, Franklin Richards (Ada Scott). After stepping away to grab another book, rejecting a suggestion from the robo-assistant H.E.R.B.I.E., Sue returns to a chilling sight: a cloaked figure in a green hood, holding a silver mask, sitting beside Franklin. The figure, heavily implied to be Doctor Doom, is described as comic-accurate, though his face is not shown, leaving ambiguity about whether it’s Robert Downey Jr. under the hood. Franklin, who possesses cosmic powers as revealed in the film, holds Doom’s mask, staring at the figure’s disfigured face. The scene ends with text reading, “The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday,” confirming the team’s pivotal role in the upcoming crossover. This moment suggests Doom’s interest in Franklin’s omega-level mutant abilities, potentially setting up a multiversal hunt across MCU realities.
Post-Credits Stinger: Animated Tribute
The second scene, shown after the full credits, is a lighthearted animated skit featuring the Fantastic Four battling classic villains. This throwback mirrors the film’s retro aesthetic and pays homage to the team’s animated history, with Ben Grimm’s signature catchphrase stealing the spotlight. While less plot-driven, it celebrates the team’s legacy and Earth-828, a nod to Marvel legend Jack Kirby.
The Leak That Shook the MCU
Ahead of the film’s release, both post-credit scenes were leaked online following test screenings, causing a stir among fans and reportedly prompting concern at Marvel Studios. The leaks, which surfaced in May 2025, detailed the mid-credits scene’s connection to Avengers: Doomsday and the animated stinger, with sources like @MyTimeToShineH and @marvel_updat3s on X amplifying the spread. The breach revealed Doctor Doom’s shadowy presence and the Russo Brothers’ involvement, leading to speculation about Marvel’s security measures. Despite the leaks, the scenes’ impact remains potent, with fans buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.’s return as the iconic villain, announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.
Franklin Richards: A Cosmic Powerhouse
Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue, emerges as a central figure in First Steps. His cosmic powers, a result of the same storm that empowered his parents, make him a target for both Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Doctor Doom. In the comics, Franklin is an omega-level mutant capable of reality manipulation, once even turning Galactus into his herald. The film establishes his significance early, with Galactus seeking him as a solution to his planet-devouring hunger. Doom’s interest in the mid-credits scene hints at a larger scheme, possibly tied to the multiversal incursions teased in Avengers: Doomsday.
Connection to Avengers: Doomsday
The mid-credits scene serves as a direct bridge to Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo Brothers and featuring a stacked cast, including the Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and characters from past Avengers and X-Men films. The leaks suggest that Doom, potentially from Earth-828, may be orchestrating events that lead the Fantastic Four to Earth-616, the main MCU reality, following their victory over Galactus. Posts on X and web reports indicate that the Thunderbolts post-credits scene involves a distress signal from the Fantastic Four’s spacecraft, further tying the films together. Kevin Feige has confirmed that First Steps leads directly into Doomsday, setting up a narrative involving multiversal threats and Doom’s ambitions.
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom has been a lightning rod for discussion since its announcement. While the mid-credits scene avoids showing his face, the sizzle reel for Avengers: Doomsday confirmed Doom’s disfigured appearance, aligning with comic lore. Unlike the comics, where Doom is a college rival of Reed Richards, the MCU appears to be crafting a new dynamic, with Doom’s fascination with Franklin suggesting a strategic motive. Fans speculate whether Downey’s Doom hails from Earth-828 or another universe, with some theorizing a connection to Tony Stark variants.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps – A New Era for Marvel
Set against a vibrant, retro-futuristic backdrop, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has garnered positive initial reactions for its fresh take on Marvel’s First Family. The film’s success in theaters, coupled with its leaked post-credit scenes, positions it as a cornerstone of MCU’s Phase 6, alongside Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars (December 17, 2027). Despite the leaks, the anticipation for Doctor Doom’s debut and the Fantastic Four’s role in the multiverse saga continues to grow, with fans eagerly awaiting how these threads converge.
For more updates, follow trusted sources or check The Fantastic Four: First Steps in theaters now. Stay through the credits—you won’t want to miss these game-changing scenes
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