Marvel’s new film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, dropped two post-credits scenes that collectively kick off the cinematic universe’s Phase 6. In a mid-credits teaser set roughly four years into the future, Sue Storm is seen reading to her young son Franklin Richards when she senses something amiss. Suddenly, a shadowy figure identified as Doctor Doom—cloaked and mask in hand—appears beside Franklin, setting the stage for future conflict. A lighter end-credits clip plays the classic Fantastic Four cartoon theme complete with a cameo catchphrase from The Thing .
The post-credits reveal introduces a storyline that centers on Doctor Doom’s looming threat and Franklin’s pivotal role in upcoming events. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige confirmed that Phase 6 will include Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026 followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in December 2027. Both films are expected to feature the Fantastic Four alongside Avengers and X-Men characters .
Feige emphasized that Secret Wars is intended to reset the MCU rather than reboot it—streamlining the universe into a single, cleaner narrative timeline. In the aftermath, Marvel plans to recast legacy heroes such as Iron Man and Captain America and introduce a youth-oriented X-Men film, shifting to a fresh lineup while honoring the franchise’s legacy .
The introduction of Franklin Richards, depicted here as possessing galaxy-scale powers, aligns with his comic origins as an Omega-level mutant capable of reality shifting. The inclusion of Doctor Doom in the credits scene underscores his early importance and suggests his manipulation of Franklin may form the backbone of the upcoming cosmic storyline .
Fantastic Four: First Steps thus marks more than just a debut for Marvel’s First Family—it serves as a narrative prelude to Phase 6. The movie balances its nostalgic setting—a 1960s-style, retro-futuristic Earth-828—with heavy foreshadowing of universe-altering events to come.
With Kevin Feige confirming the reset and casting shifts ahead, Marvel is signaling a major pivot. Post–2027, the MCU is expected to reintroduce iconic heroes and new protagonists under a unified timeline that blends legacy and innovation—a new chapter for Marvel without discarding its foundation.
