Director’s Advice: First Steps Explained
- Will Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom appear in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps?" Director Matt Shakman has addressed the speculation surrounding the film and the iconic villain.
- Shakman, known for his work on "WandaVision," spoke wiht Entertainment Weekly in April about the upcoming "Fantastic Four" reboot.
- Doctor Doom has been a recurring villain in previous "fantastic Four" movies.
Director Matt Shakman has definitively addressed teh rumors: Doctor Doom will not be a primary focus in “Fantastic four: First steps.” Shakman,speaking candidly,clarified that the iconic villain won’t be part of the main story,offering a fresh perspective for the reboot. Despite persistent speculation and potential cameos, Shakman emphasizes that doom’s involvement is minimal, similar to previous denials in other superhero films. Explore the possibility of a post-credits scene or the confirmed presence of Galactus, portrayed by Ralph Ineson, and Julia Garner as Silver surfer. News Directory 3 offers a unique perspective on the entertainment industry’s inner workings. Discover what’s next for the Fantastic Four universe.
Doctor Doom in ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps?’ Director Speaks Out

Will Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom appear in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps?” Director Matt Shakman has addressed the speculation surrounding the film and the iconic villain.
Shakman, known for his work on “WandaVision,” spoke wiht Entertainment Weekly in April about the upcoming “Fantastic Four” reboot. He clarified that Doctor Doom will not be a primary focus. “Doom’s a great character, but he takes up a lot of air,” shakman said. “Othre film adaptations have done both an origin story and Doom. We’re doing neither, and that allows us to look at them from a fresh outlook.”
Doctor Doom has been a recurring villain in previous ”fantastic Four” movies. Robert Downey Jr.even auditioned for the role in the 2005 film, long before his tenure as Iron Man. Shakman reiterated to Empire Magazine that, “Doom is not a part of my film, and therefore not a part of my preview.”
is Shakman Hiding Doctor Doom’s Appearance?

Despite Shakman’s statements, rumors persist that Downey might make a cameo as Doctor Doom in “First Steps,” potentially setting up his larger role in “Avengers: Doomsday.” This has led to speculation that Shakman might be downplaying Doom’s involvement, similar to Andrew Garfield’s denials about appearing in “Spider-Man: No way Home.”
Another possibility is that Doctor Doom might appear in a post-credits scene, which Shakman might not consider part of the main film. However, Galactus is confirmed as the primary villain, played by Ralph Ineson, with Julia Garner co-starring as a version of the Silver Surfer. Adding Doctor Doom as a main element might overcrowd the film.
the core cast includes Pedro pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as sue Storm/invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch. All four actors are also expected to appear in “Avengers: Doomsday.”
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is scheduled to hit theaters July 25, 2025.
