Doctor Doom Missing in "Fantastic Four" Trailer

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The Absence of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom

Marvel stunned fans at San Diego Comic-Con when they announced Robert Downey Jr. would play Doctor Doom in the renamed Avengers: Doomsday. The casting choice raised eyebrows, especially considering Doom's comic book history with Iron Man. Naturally, speculation runs wild about whether First Steps will introduce this game-changing villain.

Curiously, the teaser offers no visible trace of Downey's Doom. This marks a deliberate departure from previous Fantastic Four adaptations where Doom featured prominently. Instead, Marvel appears focused on establishing Galactus as the primary threat, with Ralph Ineson voicing the cosmic entity and Julia Garner playing Silver Surfer.

Galactus Takes Center Stage

The devourer of worlds makes an imposing debut in the trailer, his towering humanoid form looming over New York City. This comic-accurate interpretation contrasts sharply with the nebulous storm depiction from previous films. First Steps seems to draw heavily from the classic 1966 Galactus trilogy, potentially featuring the iconic Ultimate Nullifier storyline.

The Mystery of John Malkovich's Role

The brief appearance of a grizzled John Malkovich has fueled speculation. Current theories suggest he might play either:

• The Red Ghost (Soviet scientist Ivan Kragoff)
• Mole Man (underground ruler of the Moloids)

His undisclosed role could serve as a secondary antagonist before Galactus arrives.

Meet Marvel's First Family

The trailer spotlights the dysfunctional-yet-loving dynamics between:

• Pedro Pascal's scientifically brilliant Reed Richards
• Vanessa Kirby's compassionate Sue Storm
• Joseph Quinn's impulsive Johnny Storm
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach's tortured Ben Grimm

Their retro-futuristic costumes pay homage to John Byrne's celebrated 1980s run, favoring practical design over traditional spandex.