Well, the wait is finally over. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' has arrived, and it seems to be hitting all the right notes with its gripping story and fantastic cast. Led by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the film has officially brought Marvel's First Family into the MCU fold. But as any seasoned fan knows, the story doesn't end when the credits roll. The real buzz is all about the two post-credit scenes that give us a massive peek into what's coming next.
Key Highlights
- ✓ 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' features two game-changing post-credit scenes.
- ✓ The first scene jumps four years into the future, teasing the arrival of Doctor Doom.
- ✓ It's hinted that the cloaked figure holding Doom's mask is played by none other than Robert Downey Jr.
- ✓ The second scene is a beautiful homage to creator Jack Kirby, explaining the significance of the film's Earth-828 setting.
- ✓ Kevin Feige confirms the team will appear in Avengers: Doomsday, interacting with the Avengers and the X-Men.
A Chilling Glimpse of Doom
Alright, let's get right into the first scene because it’s a doozy. The screen fades back in and we've jumped forward a whole four years. We're back in the Baxter Building, where Sue Storm, played by Vanessa Kirby, is reading a bedtime story to her young son, Franklin. It's a sweet, domestic moment, with the family's robotic assistant H.E.R.B.I.E. making a suggestion for a Charles Darwin book, which Sue declines.
Just as she turns around, the atmosphere shifts. A cloaked figure silently enters the room, and what they're holding is enough to give any comic book fan chills: the iconic, trademark silver mask of Doctor Doom. Young Franklin's attention is immediately captured, and it’s clear this is a huge moment. While we only get a brief glimpse of the antagonist, the report suggests he's played by none other than Robert Downey Jr., which is an absolutely mind-blowing piece of casting if true. This scene masterfully sets up Doom’s official entry into the MCU and hints at his keen interest in Franklin's incredible, reality-altering abilities.
A Beautiful Tribute to "The King"
Just when you think the surprises are over, a second scene kicks in, and this one is pure heart. It's a charming, retro-style cartoon intro for a 'Fantastic Four' show. We see our heroes battling a lineup of classic villains, including the likes of Red Ghost, Puppet Master, and Diablo. It's a fun, nostalgic trip that feels pulled right from a bygone era, perfectly matching the film's 1960s aesthetic.
But the real emotional punch comes next. A quote from the legendary creator of The Fantastic Four, Jack Kirby, appears on the screen: “If you look at my characters, you will find me…” A title card then follows, explaining that the film's setting, Earth-828, is a direct homage to his birthday on August 28th. It's a touching and thoughtful tribute to one of the most important artists in comic book history.
Kevin Feige later elaborated on this, calling the film an "unabashed celebration of Mr. Kirby." He emphasized that Kirby's influence is woven into the very fabric of the movie, from direct lines drawn from his original pencil work to the very movement of characters like the Silver Surfer. Feige expressed his hope that Kirby's family sees the film as the "love letter that it's meant to be." It's a powerful acknowledgment of a creator who, as Feige notes, "should be spoken in the same breath as Stan Lee at every moment."
Crafting a Retro-Futuristic World
One of the most talked-about aspects of the film is its unique style. Setting the story on Earth-828 allowed the filmmakers to fully embrace a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic vibe. Feige shared that this was a long-held dream, even referencing how Ant-Man director Peyton Reed had wanted to do something similar two decades ago. Now, thanks to the vision of production designer Kasra Farahani, who gave us the incredible look of the TVA in Loki, that dream is a reality.
Feige's passion for this aesthetic shines through. He spoke about his love for "Disneyland and Tomorrowland and of the World's Fairs of 1939 and 1964 and that aesthetic of optimism for the future." He feels that we've lost some of that optimism today, and it was fun to make a movie that asks, "What if the promise of that future held?" It’s a core theme that makes the film feel both nostalgic and refreshingly new.
The First Step Towards Something Bigger
As the title suggests, this movie is just the beginning. Kevin Feige has made it crystal clear that the Fantastic Four are a "missing element" that has finally been put in place. For years, major comic storylines adapted for the MCU, like Civil War and the Infinity Saga, were missing their First Family. "The fact that they’re missing no more is very exciting," Feige said, and he's not wasting any time integrating them into the grander narrative.
The big news is that the cast—Pascal, Kirby, Quinn, and Moss-Bachrach—will return for the colossal upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday. This is where things get really interesting. We’re going to see them interact with other Marvel heavyweights, including the Avengers and the X-Men. Feige describes the fun of an Avengers movie as "introducing people to each other and seeing how very different personalities get along."
He even teased how the Baxter Building will be used. In First Steps, it’s home to maybe four or five people. But in Doomsday? Feige says with a smile that "it’s got a heck of a lot more people in it." Seeing those iconic sets filled with a mix of heroes from across the MCU is a thrilling prospect, and for Feige, who has been with Marvel for 25 years, it's a "surreal" moment to see it all come together.
Conclusion
So, what’s the bottom line? 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' is more than just an origin story; it’s a launchpad. The post-credit scenes have thrown down the gauntlet, setting up a terrifying new Doctor Doom and paying a deeply respectful tribute to the creative genius of Jack Kirby. The film's unique style and heartfelt storytelling have successfully brought Marvel's First Family home.
This is truly just the beginning. With their confirmed appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, the Fantastic Four are about to be thrust into the very center of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, colliding with characters we've loved for years. The future of the MCU has never looked more exciting, and it all started with these fantastic first steps.
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