I Found So Many Iron Man Parallels In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, And It Makes Me Even More Excited For Robert Downey Jr.’s Return

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Warning: spoilers for this MCU Phase 6 kickoff are in play.

Some outstanding tales transform the hero’s voyage into something significantly more ominous. As “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” concludes the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 2025 film series, it also paves the way for Marvel movies in Phase 6 and beyond. This implies that “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Secret Wars” are approaching, with Robert Downey Jr reprising his role as Doctor Doom, hinting at a menacing villain for all time.

Some people aren’t overly enthusiastic about this casting choice, yet I’m eager to witness how the previous Iron Man actor will pull off his major villainous transformation in 2026. It might not be what you anticipate, but a significant portion of my excitement stems from the similarities between Marvel Studios’ 2008 origin tale and The Fantastic Four’s upcoming cinematic reboot. Let’s discuss the reasons behind this intrigue.

Reed Richards Perfectly Embodies Tony Stark’s Guilty Genius

As a movie critic, I’d rephrase it like this: It’s no surprise that Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of the Fantastic’s patriarch shares a striking resemblance to Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom, albeit with a lighter touch. Through the storyline of “First Steps,” we witness Reed Richards grappling with the moral dilemma of his family’s transformation into metahumans during their space mission. This internal conflict mirrors the burden of guilt that Tony Stark has carried throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as both characters believe they can intellectually navigate any predicament without endangering themselves or others.

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It was when Mr. Fantastic, the hero from The Fantastic Four: First Steps, got criticized by Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) for “making the world safe for babies,” that the similarity with Avengers: Age of Ultron really became apparent. This was reminiscent of Tony Stark’s comment about a “suit of armor around the world” in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Reed Tech Is The Stark Industries Of Earth 828

Just a quick query: Who do we know owns a grand New York skyscraper that serves as both a lab, command center, and luxurious residence? If you guessed ‘the man with the essential robotic helper,’ then you’ve confirmed my theory.

In a more straightforward manner: Just like Tony Stark, Reed Richards is always inventing new devices that his counterpart from Earth-616 (and his deceased father) would have been interested in over the years. Although it doesn’t involve arms dealing, ReedTech has an influential impact on the economy of Earth-828 similar to how Stark Industries operates within its corresponding dimension.

In an alternate 1965 scenario, baby monitors, flying police vehicles, technology akin to hyperspace travel from the ’60s, and of course, teleportation, are some of the remarkable advancements attributed to The Fantastic Four. Reed Richards and Tony Stark have reached a level where they can almost be considered business relatives at this point.

Johnny Storm Represents The More Casual Side Of Tony

Returning to the character-focused analysis of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, a striking similarity emerges between Johnny Storm, portrayed by Joseph Quinn, and Tony Stark. Known as the charismatic heartthrob within the team, Johnny exhibited traits reminiscent of Stark’s blend of confidence, intelligence, and romantic pursuits, long before we had a chance to watch the entire movie. This early impression can be attributed to the “Sunday Dinner” promotional clip, which you can view below:

The entire family has a knack for solving problems together, often using “we’ll find a way” as their unofficial slogan. But it’s Johnny Storm’s selfless act that sets him apart – he attempts to sacrifice himself to send Galactus (Ralph Ineson) into a wormhole meant to trap him instead.

For individuals with a Disney+ subscription who wish to verify my calculations, feel free to jump to the end of the movie “The Avengers” and compare it to the moment when Tony Stark attempted an act similar to that seen in “Armageddon“, but managed to return to Earth just in the nick of time.

The Fantastic Four Are Seemingly The First Superheroes Of Their Dimension

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), heroes like the Eternals and Captain America were around before Iron Man’s major debut marked a significant milestone, but it was Tony Stark who laid the groundwork for this long-lasting powerhouse. On Earth-828, as depicted in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, these characters are portrayed as the initial meta-humans within their base of operations.

In what other way would you anticipate multiple prime-time TV specials on “The Ted Gilbert Show” commemorating their appearance? Additionally, it’s no secret that the production of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” benefited from an accessible platform for editing some complex scenes.

In simpler terms, even though Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) wasn’t the initial hero in his timeline, he was instrumental in motivating Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to reactivate The Avengers Initiative. This project had been dormant for at least 13 years, as suggested by the events of Captain Marvel. Eventually, Tony played a crucial role in launching the first version of Earth’s strongest superhero team.

As The Fantastic Four: First Steps Opens MCU Phase 6, It Sets Up Massive Hype For An Evil Robert Downey Jr.

In my analysis, there might be additional similarities I’ve missed, but I believe I’ve made my case clear. The opening film in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has effectively revitalized Tony Stark and Marvel Studios’ legacy. After viewing it three times (thus far), the central idea that sparked this discussion became more apparent to me: Robert Downey Jr. would be an exceptional choice for Doctor Doom.

As a fan of James Bond, I enjoy the plot device known as “the dark mirror,” where a protagonist encounters their polar opposite. Fans accustomed to Downey’s portrayal of the complex and self-assured Tony Stark might find it surprising when he takes on the role of a character who embodies the complete antithesis of Reed Richards’ ideals in the Latverian part he plays.

Reflecting on this, let me share an intriguing perspective: I’m thrilled about the prospect that Robert Downey Jr., with his Oscar-winning performance in “Oppenheimer”, might be stepping into a Marvel Comics role, potentially merging his exceptional acting skills with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Just as J. Robert Oppenheimer had Lewis Strauss as his counterpart, Reed Richards could soon have Doctor Doom standing opposite him on screen.

Contemplate what such a person might accomplish if given resources and abilities beyond human limits. With this idea in mind, go back to watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps on the big screen, keeping an eye out for any hints that could be found in the mid-credits scene featuring Doom.

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2025-08-02 01:09