‘Fantastic Four’ Director Finally Answers the Doctor Doom Question Everyone is Asking

Ever since Marvel Studios unveiled the principal cast for The Fantastic Four: First Steps—Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach—fans and internet scoopers have argued over one question: will Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor von Doom step onto the MCU as part of the movie. Despite several claims that Downey Jr. has filmed a secret cameo for the July release, director Matt Shakman has now set the record straight – possibly.

Doctor Doom has appeared in every big-screen Fantastic Four adaptation to date, from the “lost” Roger Corman curio of 1994 to Fox’s 2005 and 2015 outings. When Marvel tapped Ralph Ineson as Galactus last year, many assumed Doom would at least lurk in the shadows of the new movie, setting up his Doomsday role. However, despite the constantly present claims that Doom will appear in the post-credits scene, Shakman disagrees. And he should know, right? Addressing the question in a recent Empire Magazine interview, Shakman’s blunt answer was:

“Doom is not a part of my film, and therefore not a part of my purview.”

How Doctor Doom Can Still Appear in 'Fantastic Four: First Steps'