The Fantastic Four: First Steps has officially landed in theaters globally, and true to Marvel tradition, the fantastic four post credits scene (along with a bonus stinger) is already the talk of the internet. These crucial moments deliver more than just Easter eggs – they orchestrate a seismic shift for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, directly paving the way for Avengers: Doomsday. Let’s break down both scenes, why they matter, and the surprising filmmakers behind them.
How Many Post-Credits Scenes Are There?
Marvel delivers a double dose for Fantastic Four: First Steps viewers:
- A Mid-Credits Scene: This is the essential, MCU game-changing moment. Stay for this one.
- A Post-Credits Scene: This appears after the entire credit roll. It’s a fun bonus, but skippable if you need to dash. A heartfelt tribute to Marvel’s legacy.
The Mid-Credits Scene Explained: Doom’s Ominous Debut
- The Setup: The scene jumps forward “Four Years Later”. Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is in the Baxter Building, reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to her young son, Franklin Richards. She gets up to find another book, humorously rejecting H.E.R.B.I.E.’s suggestion of Franklin’s apparent favorite, The Origin of Species, opting for something “more fun.”
- The Revelation: Sue hears a noise and returns to the living room. A chilling sight awaits her: A figure cloaked in green, kneeling before Franklin. The figure holds Franklin’s hand near his face… and in his other hand, he holds a distinctive silver mask.
- The Identity: This is Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. While his face remains obscured (we don’t see RDJ), the iconic mask and cloak leave no doubt. He doesn’t speak, but his presence alone is thunderous. The scene ends with the title card: “The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday.”
- The Significance: The movie establishes Franklin Richards as a being of immense cosmic power (a result of his parents’ exposure to the cosmic storm). Doom’s appearance, seemingly attempting to connect with or influence the child, signals his immediate interest in harnessing this power. This perfectly sets up Doom as a major threat in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, where the Fantastic Four are confirmed to appear.
Watch the official teaser hinting at the film’s cosmic stakes:
The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Official Trailer
The Post-Credits Scene Explained: A Kirby-Esque Tribute
- The Scene: After the full credits roll, viewers are treated to the opening intro of The Fantastic Four’s in-universe animated cartoon within Earth-828 (the movie’s retro-futuristic setting). It features the team battling classic comic villains like Red Ghost, Puppet Master, and Diablo in a vibrant, stylized sequence.
- The Tribute: Before the cartoon plays, a poignant quote from legendary Fantastic Four co-creator Jack Kirby appears on screen: “If you look at my characters, you will find me. No matter what kind of character you create or assume, a little of yourself must remain there.” This is followed by Kirby’s birth date, solidifying Earth-828 as a homage to the artistic visionary.
- The Vibe: This scene is purely lighthearted and fun. It doesn’t advance the overarching MCU plot but celebrates the team’s legacy and the film’s distinct 1960s aesthetic. It’s a charming palate cleanser after the intensity of the mid-credits reveal.
The Russo Brothers’ Crucial Role
In a fascinating twist, director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) revealed he did not film the pivotal mid-credits scene. Instead, Joe and Anthony Russo (Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame), who are directing Avengers: Doomsday, shot the sequence on their Doomsday set.
Shakman described the collaborative Marvel process as a “relay race“:
“They [the Russos] were very involved and, as we were making this film, they wanted to visit our sets and watch scenes as they were coming together and get to know these characters so they could treat them well, do right by them in the next movie. They’re really good protectors of these characters as well… I passed the baton on to Joe and Anthony and they’re off and running.”
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige confirmed this scene was always planned as a crucial bridge: “We’ve always known that that sort of tease would be a part of the credits for this movie. A lot to set up and how that scene evolved over the years have we had many different versions of how that could happen.”
Connecting the MCU Dots
- Thunderbolts Connection:* The Thunderbolts post-credits scene (also directed by the Russos) showed the Fantastic Four’s ship, the Excelsior, arriving on Earth-616 (the main MCU timeline). First Steps doesn’t explicitly show how or why this journey happens, but the mid-credits scene confirms the team’s next destination is the Avengers: Doomsday conflict, likely involving Doom’s multiversal machinations.
- The Road to Doomsday: With Doom now actively engaging with the powerful Franklin Richards, and the Fantastic Four poised to enter the main MCU fray, The Fantastic Four: First Steps fulfills its role as the essential final step before next year’s universe-shattering Avengers: Doomsday.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters worldwide. Stay through the mid-credits for a glimpse of the future, and stick around to the very end for a loving nod to the past. The game has changed, and Doom is here.