The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Where Is Doctor Doom In the New Teaser Trailer?

If you're a Marvel fan, 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year, and at the heart of it all lies The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Not only does this movie kick off Phase 6 of the MCU, but it also marks the introduction of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and his iconic family. After years of anticipation, it seems the wait for a truly great Fantastic Four film might finally be over.

Based on the recently released teaser trailer, the excitement is palpable. Fans are getting their first real look at the core team, along with glimpses of formidable antagonists like Ralph Ineson's Galactus and John Malkovich's enigmatic character. However, one question keeps surfacing: Where is Robert Downey, Jr.’s Doctor Doom? Let’s dive into what the trailer reveals—and what it leaves unsaid.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Teaser Breakdown

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Where Is Robert Downey, Jr.’s Doctor Doom?

Last year’s San Diego Comic-Con stunned fans when Marvel revealed that The Avengers 5 had been rechristened The Avengers: Doomsday, with Robert Downey, Jr. stepping into the role of Doctor Doom. While the connection between Doom and Iron Man is richly woven through the comics, this casting choice came as a shock. Naturally, fans are curious about Doom’s role in First Steps.

Marvel Studios is keeping details tightly under wraps, and the teaser offers no explicit hints about Doom’s presence. Instead, it highlights how this iteration of First Steps is taking a distinct direction compared to earlier versions. Julian McMahon’s Doom in the 2005 and 2007 films, and Toby Kebbell’s in the 2015 reboot, were central figures. This time, however, Marvel is shifting focus toward Galactus, the Silver Surfer, and John Malkovich’s mysterious character.

We can safely assume First Steps will play a crucial role in establishing Doom for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. After all, Doom is a Fantastic Four villain at his core, and this movie arrives shortly before the 2026 release of Doomsday. Surely, they must lay some groundwork, right?

The key question is whether First Steps will clarify Doom’s origin and his connection to the MCU’s Avengers. Is he from the same universe as Reed Richards? Did Tony Stark’s life take a darker turn? Or is he from another dimension entirely? Even if Doom only appears in a post-credits scene, we hope First Steps establishes his identity and motives.

For now, though, the Fantastic Four have bigger concerns—like stopping a cosmic devourer.

The Fantastic Four vs. Galactus

The teaser makes it clear that Galactus will dominate much of the film’s narrative. As the Devourer of Worlds, Galactus is voiced by Game of Thrones star Ralph Ineson.

Introduced in 1966’s Fantastic Four #48, Galactus serves as both a cosmic entity and a necessary force in the Marvel Universe. Once a mortal named Galan of Taa, he survived the previous universe’s collapse and became Galactus after bonding with the Sentience of the Universe. Since then, he’s roamed the cosmos, feeding on planets to sustain himself.

Galactus isn’t your typical villain; he’s more of a cosmic inevitability. Still, that doesn’t make his presence any less terrifying. In the comics, Reed Richards famously threatened Galactus with the Ultimate Nullifier—a device capable of destroying entire realities. Could this play into the Multiverse Saga and the concept of Incursions?

The teaser leans heavily into a more comic book-inspired version of Galactus, unlike the 2007 film, which portrayed him as a nebulous storm. Here, Galactus appears as a towering humanoid figure, standing over the Statue of Liberty. Ralph Ineson’s voice work adds depth to the character, suggesting Galactus will be more than just a force of nature.

While we don’t see much of Galactus in the trailer, we do catch a glimpse of Julia Garner as Silver Surfer. In the comics, Silver Surfer initially acts as Galactus’s herald but later turns against him after developing empathy for Earth. Expect a similar arc here, with Silver Surfer evolving from antagonist to ally.

Who Is John Malkovich Playing?

Besides Galactus and Silver Surfer, the teaser hints at additional antagonists. One standout moment features a bearded John Malkovich, sparking speculation about his role. Rumors suggest Malkovich might be playing Ivan Kragoff, aka Red Ghost, a Soviet scientist who gained superpowers alongside his team of genetically modified apes. Could we see Malkovich alongside a trio of super-powered primates?

Alternatively, Malkovich might be playing Mole Man, another legendary Fantastic Four villain. Known for his subterranean kingdom and obsession with conquering the surface world, Mole Man fits the bill for a secondary villain.

Regardless, Malkovich seems destined to play a lesser-known adversary, giving the Fantastic Four a rogues’ gallery to contend with. His character likely clashes with the team early on, especially since the trailer establishes the FF as seasoned heroes.

Meet the Fantastic Four

The teaser focuses heavily on the Fantastic Four themselves. Pedro Pascal shines as Reed Richards, the brilliant scientist and family leader. Vanessa Kirby embodies Susan Storm’s intelligence and determination, while Joseph Quinn brings fiery energy to Johnny Storm. Ebon Moss-Bacharach portrays Ben Grimm, whose rocky transformation into the Thing is a focal point.

The trailer emphasizes the team’s familial dynamic, highlighting Ben’s internal struggles and Reed’s guilt over transforming him. These personal conflicts add layers to the heroes, making them more relatable.

Interestingly, the film appears to take place after the FF have already become celebrated figures, avoiding an origin story. However, we do see flashbacks to their beginnings, including archival footage of a pre-Thing Ben Grimm and the accident that granted them their powers.

Costumes also play a significant role. The blue-and-white design nods to John Byrne’s classic Fantastic Four comics, emphasizing functionality over flashy spandex. This aesthetic reflects the team’s identities as scientists and adventurers.

Marketing materials have hinted at the Future Foundation, a group established by Reed to nurture young geniuses. Could we see Reed and Sue’s children, Franklin and Valeria, in the film? The title “First Steps” suggests themes of parenthood and legacy, leaving room for Franklin’s potential involvement.

At the very least, young Franklin Richards is likely to appear. As one of the MCU’s most powerful beings, his connection to Galactus’s arrival remains a tantalizing mystery.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps releases on July 25, 2025. Will Robert Downey, Jr.’s Doctor Doom make an appearance? Share your thoughts in the comments.