The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ Doctor Doom debut looks notably different to me on a rewatch of the MCU movie – and this has made the iconic Marvel villain’s upcoming role in Avengers: Doomsday look even more interesting. Historically, Doctor Doom has been a prime example of a truly committed comic book nemesis, with his hatred for Reed Richards often seeing him go to frankly staggering lengths in order to sabotage or harm his rival.
With Doctor Doom’s movie depictions having largely focused on this trait – and understandably consequently focused on how evil Doom can be – it was easy to think The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ ending might be following suit. That said, after rewatching the movie’s ending, a different and perhaps more promising depiction of Doctor Doom does appear somewhat more likely for the MCU timeline.
Doctor Doom’s Introduction In The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Interesting Again On A Rewatch
Fantastic Four First Steps Post-Credits scene of Franklin Richards and Doctor Doom
The final moments of The Fantastic Four: First Steps closing out with a small glimpse of Doctor Doom – who we see the back of as he’s interacting with Franklin – certainly don’t seem to bode well for the titular movie team, since we know the story of First Steps leads into Avengers: Doomsday, and a story that holds Doctor Doom front and center. However, on a rewatch, it’s easier to focus on the final details of things, rather than just on Sue Storm’s troubled expression and the tense music that brings us into the reveal.
Ultimately, a first viewing of the scene is naturally influenced by the fact we know that Doom plays an antagonist role in Avengers: Doomsday, and that – combined with his comic history – makes the scene immediately appear as though Doom is about to either fight the Fantastic Four, or kidnap Franklin. That said, it’s worth noting that the actual scene itself leans away from depicting Doctor Doom as entirely evil and villainous, despite having a lot of opportunity to do so.
Doom arriving without invitation to seemingly speak to Franklin doesn’t seem promising, but this introduction seems less outright villainous on a second watch. Doctor Doom having taken off his mask to talk to Franklin appears to be an effort to build trust with the young uber-powerful Marvel hero-to-be, and his demeanor seems almost more as though he’s trying to convey something to the child instead of seeking to steal him away from his parents.
Looking back now, it seems more likely that Doctor Doom’s plans – whatever they may be – hinge on him wanting to convince Franklin and possibly his family that Victor’s efforts are worth supporting, and are the right choice for their future. This seems significantly more interesting than taking the more conventional villain route the scene can initially seem as though it’s conveying, and would likely be a move that would pay off tenfold for the MCU going forward.
The MCU’s Villain Track Record Already Suggests Doctor Doom’s Story Will Be A Complex One
God Emperor Doctor Doom sits on his throne guarded by Doctor Strange and Sue Storm
The MCU is no stranger to having its antagonists lean away from the stereotypical overly evil approach, and this has resulted in some great successes for the franchise over the years, with Thanos’ diabolical approach to what he perceived as the greater good proving particularly striking with audiences.
Based on this – and based on Doctor Doom’s own history in the annals of Marvel’s comic world, wherein his morals often also are ostensibly well-intentioned, even if the actions he takes are not justifiable as means to an end – it seems more likely than not that the MCU’s Doom won’t be a moustache-twirling arbitor of evil for at least the first stages of his arc.
The most interesting path forward is arguably one wherein Doctor Doom – despite the name – is driven by a desire to protect his world and universe, since this would give him a motivation for Avengers: Doomsday that mirrors the majority of the franchise’s main MCU heroes themselves. Hopefully, Avengers: Doomsday will give Doctor Doom the kind of story his extensive comic history warrants, which would seemingly align with the idea that The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Doom reveal is more complicated than it might at first appear.