Fantastic Four: First Steps - Doctor Doom's Absence in New Teaser Trailer

2025 marks a monumental year for Marvel across various media, but none are as highly anticipated as *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*. This film not only initiates Phase 6 of the MCU but also introduces Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards alongside his superhero family. After decades of anticipation, fans are hopeful that this movie will finally deliver the definitive Fantastic Four experience.

The recently unveiled teaser trailer for First Steps has fans buzzing with excitement, offering a closer look at the iconic quartet and introducing formidable antagonists such as Ralph Ineson’s Galactus and John Malkovich’s mysterious character. However, the burning question on everyone's mind remains – where is Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom? Let’s delve into what the trailer reveals and what it leaves to our imagination.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

20 ImagesWhere Is Robert Downey, Jr.’s Doctor Doom?

Marvel's announcement at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con sent shockwaves through the fanbase: The Avengers 5 has been retitled The Avengers: Doomsday, and Robert Downey Jr. will portray Doctor Doom. Given the rich history between Doom and Iron Man in the comics, this casting choice was both surprising and thrilling. Fans are now eager to understand how The Fantastic Four: First Steps will contribute to setting up Doom as the next major Avengers-level threat.

The teaser trailer keeps Doom’s involvement under wraps, emphasizing a distinct narrative direction compared to previous Fantastic Four films. While Julian McMahon and Toby Kebbell's portrayals of Doom were central to the 2005, 2007, and 2015 movies, First Steps shifts the focus to Galactus, Silver Surfer, and John Malkovich’s enigmatic role.

Despite this, it's reasonable to expect First Steps to lay some groundwork for Doom's introduction. As a primary Fantastic Four antagonist and with Avengers: Doomsday looming in May 2026, First Steps might tease the arrival of the next major villain. A crucial point of interest is the origin of Downey's Doom. Given his casting, it's clear he's not from Earth-616, but does he hail from the same universe as First Steps, or is he from another dimension altogether? Even a post-credits scene could provide valuable insight into Doom's character and his motivations against the MCU's Avengers.

However, Doom will not overshadow the film's primary narrative. The Fantastic Four have more immediate and significant challenges to confront.

The teaser clearly establishes Galactus, voiced by Ralph Ineson, as the central adversary in First Steps. The self-proclaimed Devourer of Worlds, Galactus, is a classic Marvel character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first appearing in 1966's Fantastic Four #48. The film seems to draw inspiration from the iconic "Galactus Trilogy," depicting a well-established Fantastic Four facing their most formidable challenge yet.

Galactus, once a mortal named Galan of Taa, transformed into a cosmic entity after merging with the Sentience of the Universe. His role in the cosmic Marvel hierarchy involves consuming life-rich planets, an act that serves the larger cycle of death and rebirth. Despite this cosmic necessity, his arrival spells doom for any targeted world.

First Steps promises a more comic-accurate depiction of Galactus than previous adaptations. The film shows him in a humanoid form towering over iconic landmarks, unlike the cloud-like representation in Rise of the Silver Surfer. This approach suggests a more character-driven portrayal of Galactus, justifying the casting of Ineson.

While Galactus is prominently featured, his herald, Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner, is noticeably absent from the teaser. Traditionally, Silver Surfer scouts planets for Galactus but eventually rebels against him upon encountering Earth. This gender-swapped version of the character is expected to follow a similar arc, sparking her transformation from herald to hero.

Beyond Galactus and Silver Surfer, the teaser hints at additional antagonists, including a brief appearance by John Malkovich. Speculation suggests he could be portraying Ivan Kragoff, aka The Red Ghost, a Soviet scientist who gains powers similar to the Fantastic Four. Alternatively, Malkovich might be playing Mole Man, another classic FF villain rumored to appear in the film. Both characters would serve as secondary threats, adding depth to the FF's rogues' gallery.

Other unconfirmed cast members include Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Hauser, leaving room for more surprises and theories about their roles within the Marvel Universe.

The teaser trailer prominently features 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. The film emphasizes the family dynamic and the internal struggles of the team, particularly Ben's transformation into The Thing and Reed's guilt over the accident that caused it.

Unlike previous iterations, First Steps is set in a time when the FF are already established as celebrity heroes, though it includes flashbacks to their origin. The costumes, inspired by John Byrne’s '80s comics, reflect the team's identity as scientists and adventurers rather than traditional superheroes.

Marketing for the film also highlights the Future Foundation, hinting at themes of parenthood and the next generation of heroes. This could involve Reed and Sue's children, Franklin and Valeria, with young Franklin potentially playing a role in why Galactus targets Earth.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, promising an epic adventure that will redefine the team's place in the MCU.