Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man and Doctor Doom from the 20th Century Fox Fantastic Four franchise

Ebon Moss-Bachrach comments on whether Doctor Doom appears in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is going to have a massive year, with the MCU’s 2025 movies and TV shows set to introduce exciting characters to the franchise. One of them could be Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. While he is yet to be confirmed for The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ cast, reports claim Victor von Doom will first appear in the Fantastic Four movie’s mid/post-credits scene before leading 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday. Those reports have now been addressed by the MCU’s Ben Grimm.

On Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Thing actor dodged questions about Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom debuting in the MCU’s Fantastic Four movie.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who rose to stardom as Richie in The Bear, was asked not only if RDJ’s Doctor Doom would appear in the Fantastic Four movie, but also whether it would be in the film itself or a post-credits scene, and if he had gotten close to the actor while filming. The Thing star joked about living with Downey before dodging the question, citing his media training for the press run of the upcoming MCU movie. Check out the full quote below:

“Yeah, we live together now. It’s not going to happen [comment on RDJ appearing or not in Fantastic Four]. I’ve been through rigorous media training.”

What Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Fantastic Four Movie Comments Mean

RDJ’s Doctor Doom Debut Remains A Mystery For Now

Robert Downey Jr. revealing himself to be Doctor Doom at SDCC 2024 Doctor Doom attacking with a hand outstretched toward the viewer. Robert Downey Jr. revealed to be Doctor Doom at SDCC Doctor Doom clasping his gauntlet-covered hands as they surge with green energy. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark aka Iron Man in the MCU looking offscreen

Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU as Doctor Doom was Marvel’s most shocking reveal of 2024. When he was announced as the main villain of the Multiverse Saga, replacing Kang the Conqueror, it was revealed that Downey’s Victor von Doom would appear in the next two Avengers movies. However, nothing was said of a role for him in the MCU’s Fantastic Four film. Since Doctor Doom has appeared in all the live-action Fantastic Four movies so far, it is expected that RDJ will at least make a cameo in the movie, and the post-credits scene report fueled that possibility.

Moss-Bachrach dodging questions about RDJ’s Doctor Doom is par for the course with the MCU. While some actors have slipped up and revealed secret details during interviews, most Marvel stars manage to keep things tight. However, Moss-Bachrach did reveal that he said The Thing’s “It’s Clobberin’ Time” catchphrase a few times during shooting, saying, “I slipped it in there a couple of times… I don’t have final cut, so we’ll see,” which shows how interesting details about The Fantastic Four: First Steps are bound to come out as the movie’s July 25 release date approaches.

Our Take On Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Fantastic Four Movie Comments

The Upcoming MCU Movie Is Shrouded In Secrecy

Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm, Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm, Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm, Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards in MCU The Fantastic Four poster Pedro Pascal looking serious as Joel Miller in The Last of Us Vanessa Kirby holding a gun as Hattie Shaw in Hobbs and Shaw Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson making a funny face in Stranger Things Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richie Jerimovich smoking in The Bear

Six months from its release, Marvel Studios has yet to share the first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. As such, the movie continues to have few details released to fans, with most of them about casting, and even those have multiple actors set to play mystery roles. I never imagined Ebon Moos-Bachrach or another Fantastic Four movie star would reveal the truth regarding Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom appearing in the movie or not in an interview. Marvel will try to keep that a secret for the theatrical experience, so I’m excited for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.