Is RDJ Showing Up as Doctor Doom in the New ‘Fantastic Four’ Movie? Feige Says It’s All Connected
At this year’s CineEurope in Barcelona, Disney unveiled an exciting lineup of upcoming films, stealing the show with major updates on Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday.
Andrew Cripps, Disney’s new Head of Theatrical Distribution, led the presentation, marking his first appearance at the event since taking the role in March.
The event started with a nod to Lilo & Stitch, which is nearing $900 million worldwide and could hit $1 billion soon, potentially becoming 2025’s first billion-dollar film. To celebrate, every attendee received a glowing Stitch plush toy, adding a playful vibe to the showcase.
Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige took the stage to reveal a new trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps, giving theater owners and fans a glimpse of the highly anticipated film. He also confirmed that the movie will set up Avengers: Doomsday, currently in production in London for a December 2026 release.
Directed by Matt Shakman with a script by Josh Friedman and Eric Pearson, Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as the iconic team.
The cast also includes John Malkovich, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson, who plays the cosmic villain Galactus. Set in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, the story follows the Fantastic Four as they protect Earth from Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer.
Buzz around the film includes unconfirmed rumors of a Robert Downey Jr. cameo, possibly in a post-credits scene. There’s also chatter that Franklin Richards, a character confirmed for First Steps, will play a key role in Avengers: Doomsday.
Avengers: Doomsday, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo with a script by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely, promises a massive team-up. The cast features Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Vanessa Kirby, Paul Rudd, Letitia Wright, Florence Pugh, Tom Hiddleston, and returning X-Men stars like Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden.
Heroes from the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Wakanda, and New Avengers will unite to face Doom. Originally set for May 2025, the film faced delays due to the 2023 writers’ strike and production needs, now slated for December 18, 2026, as the 39th MCU film in Phase Six.
Feige emphasized the interconnected nature of Marvel’s slate, stating, “The movies are fully connected.” The CineEurope crowd was electrified by the previews, signaling strong excitement for Marvel’s next chapter.
Disney’s Marvel showcase at CineEurope proves the studio is doubling down on epic, interconnected storytelling. I’m intrigued but hope the films balance their star-studded rosters with strong stories. What do you think about Marvel’s plans for Fantastic Four and Doomsday? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!