Marvel Studios has once again electrified audiences with their latest entry, and the buzz surrounding fantastic four post credits scenes has reached a fever pitch. With “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” debuting worldwide today, fans are eager to discover just how these scenes reshape the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) future.
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Two Post Credits Scenes: What Was Shown?
As has become tradition with Marvel releases, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” delivers both a mid-credits and a post-credits scene—each one distinct in tone and purpose.
Key details:
- The first post-credits scene (mid-credits) drives the MCU narrative forward.
- The second post-credits scene closes the film on a lighter, fan-pleasing note.
Mid-Credits Scene: Doctor Doom Enters
The mid-credits sequence represents the film’s most pivotal development. Set four years after the movie’s events, it opens on Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) reading a bedtime story to her now five-year-old son, Franklin Richards. Sue steps away briefly, only to return and find mysterious company—Doctor Doom, lurking in the shadows, holding his iconic mask.
This scene is dramatic for several reasons:
- It confirms Robert Downey Jr.’s highly anticipated arrival as Doctor Doom, even if only his silhouette and cloak are visible.
- The appearance is not just an Easter egg: it sets up the major villain of “Avengers: Doomsday,” slated for release in December 2026.
- A message flashes at the end: “The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday,” cementing their role in upcoming MCU events.
Final Post-Credits Scene: Animated Fun for Fans
While the mid-credits moment influences the wider MCU, the final scene offers a playful tribute. It shifts style entirely, presenting an animated skit that features the Fantastic Four battling classic comic-book foes, all framed in the movie’s distinctive 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic aesthetic.
Highlights include:
- Animated throwbacks to battles with iconic villains.
- A lighthearted tone, providing a nostalgic touch and plenty of Easter eggs for longtime comic fans.
- A nod to Marvel’s rich legacy, with visual tributes hidden throughout the credits.
Context: Why These Scenes Matter
Marvel Studios meticulously connects every movie to build future storylines. The fantastic four post credits scenes deliver key setups for several reasons:
- Introduction of Doctor Doom: This is the first time the iconic villain directly appears in the MCU’s main timeline, played by a major star.
- Teases for Avengers: Doomsday: The mid-credits scene, shot by the Russo brothers (directors of “Avengers: Doomsday”), bridges events from “Thunderbolts” and prepares viewers for massive upcoming crossovers.
- New Take on the Team: With Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm), this iteration sits in a parallel universe defined by its Jetsons-meets-sixties look and tone.
Table: Key Cast and Characters
What Fans Are Saying
Social media is alive with reactions, ranging from excitement at the well-staged tease of Doctor Doom’s face-off with the Fantastic Four, to appreciation for the whimsical animated nod to the team’s comic roots. Early reviews and commentary indicate Marvel may have found fresh momentum by blending a new tone and cast with traditional MCU storytelling devices.
Why Stay for Both Scenes?
Marvel fans know patience is rewarded. Both post-credits scenes offer layers of meaning:
- Story development: The first scene is crucial for plot, impacting not just the Fantastic Four series but the whole MCU.
- Fan service: The finale packs charming Easter eggs, rewarding viewers’ loyalty and comic knowledge.
Looking Forward
With “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” now in theaters and the excitement around fantastic four post credits scenes at an all-time high, fans have fresh clues about where Marvel is heading. As new heroes, a celebrated cast, and a formidable Doctor Doom converge, anticipation for “Avengers: Doomsday” is soaring.
Let us know your reaction to the post-credits surprises—is Doctor Doom’s debut everything you hoped for, or did the animated throwback steal the show? Share your thoughts below and check back for future MCU updates!