Marvel Studios has long been a master of building anticipation, weaving intricate narratives across its cinematic universe, and keeping fans guessing with its signature post-credits scenes. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) gears up for its next phase, all eyes are on The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. This film, introducing Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—promises to be a pivotal entry in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Recent leaks and rumors surrounding the film’s post-credits scenes have sparked intense speculation, particularly about a significant shift from a planned appearance by Chris Evans as Nomad to a scene featuring the iconic villain Doctor Doom. This change, along with Marvel’s broader plans, has fans buzzing about what the studio is cooking up next.

The Fantastic Four have always held a special place in Marvel’s lore, representing the publisher’s first superhero team and a cornerstone of its comic book legacy. After two earlier cinematic attempts under 20th Century Fox, Marvel Studios is finally bringing its own vision of the Fantastic Four to the big screen. Set in a vibrant, 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps skips the traditional origin story, diving into the team’s adventures four years after they’ve become heroes. The film pits them against their most formidable challenge yet: Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a cosmic entity intent on devouring Earth, accompanied by his herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). But it’s the post-credits scenes—now confirmed to be two in number—that are generating the most intrigue, as they appear to set the stage for the MCU’s next major crossover event, Avengers: Doomsday.

Initially, rumors suggested that one of the post-credits scenes would feature Chris Evans returning to the MCU, not as Captain America or his previous Fantastic Four role as Johnny Storm, but as Nomad, an alternate identity Steve Rogers adopts in the comics when he temporarily abandons his Captain America mantle. According to scooper MyTimeToShineHello, this scene would have shown Nomad delivering a warning to the Fantastic Four, possibly about an impending multiversal threat like an incursion or the looming presence of Doctor Doom. This idea was tantalizing for fans, given Evans’ storied history with the MCU and his recent cameo as Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine. The prospect of Evans playing a grizzled, fugitive version of Steve Rogers from another universe was a bold move that could have tied The Fantastic Four to the broader Multiverse Saga, hinting at crossovers with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

However, the latest reports indicate that Marvel scrapped the Nomad scene in favor of one featuring Doctor Doom, who will be portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. in his much-anticipated return to the MCU. This shift makes narrative sense, as Doctor Doom is the Fantastic Four’s archnemesis and the primary antagonist of Avengers: Doomsday, set for release in 2026. One leaked description from a test screening suggests a chilling scene where Sue Storm, after reading to her son Franklin, returns to find Doctor Doom sitting beside him, holding his iconic mask. While Downey’s face is reportedly not shown, the comic-accurate costume and ominous tone set up a direct connection to Avengers: Doomsday, where Doom is expected to wreak havoc across the multiverse. This change has sparked debate among fans, with some praising the focus on Doom for its thematic weight, while others lament the loss of Evans’ potential cameo, which could have been a shocking twist.

The decision to pivot to Doctor Doom aligns with Marvel’s current trajectory. After the departure of Jonathan Majors’ Kang, the studio has recalibrated its plans, positioning Downey’s Doom as the MCU’s next Thanos-level threat. Posts on X and various reports indicate that one of the post-credits scenes might show Doom’s first on-screen appearance, potentially tying into the Thunderbolts post-credits scene, where the Fantastic Four’s spaceship enters Earth-616’s orbit, suggesting they’re fleeing a destroyed universe. This could imply that Doom’s actions in The Fantastic Four: First Steps lead to catastrophic consequences, forcing the team to seek help from Earth-616’s heroes, setting up a clash in Avengers: Doomsday.

Despite the excitement, director Matt Shakman has denied Doom’s involvement in the main storyline, stating that the character is “not part of my film.” This could be a deliberate misdirection, a common tactic in Marvel’s playbook to preserve surprises, or it might mean Doom’s role is confined to the post-credits scenes. Meanwhile, Chris Evans has publicly denied rumors of his return in Avengers: Doomsday, though his comments leave room for speculation about The Fantastic Four. The ambiguity surrounding Evans’ involvement—whether as Nomad, Captain Hydra, or another variant—keeps fans guessing, a testament to Marvel’s knack for secrecy and surprise.

Marvel’s strategy with The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems to balance standalone storytelling with multiversal connectivity. By introducing Doctor Doom in the post-credits scenes, the studio is laying the groundwork for a larger narrative while keeping the Fantastic Four’s debut fresh and self-contained. The inclusion of two post-credits scenes—one reportedly a lighthearted moment and the other a significant setup for Avengers: Doomsday—shows Marvel’s commitment to its interconnected universe while delivering fan-service surprises. Whether Evans’ Nomad will make an appearance remains uncertain, but the focus on Doom signals Marvel’s intent to make him a central figure in Phase 6.

As The Fantastic Four: First Steps approaches, the buzz around its post-credits scenes underscores Marvel’s ability to keep fans on edge. With a stellar cast, a retro-futuristic aesthetic, and a villain as formidable as Galactus, the film is poised to be a standout. The shift from Nomad to Doctor Doom in the post-credits scene reflects Marvel’s bold vision for the future, blending nostalgia with new threats. Whatever Marvel is doing, it’s clear they’re playing a long game, and fans can’t wait to see how it unfolds.