With Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) starting with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), a bevy of new characters are ready to be introduced. Phase Four already saw the introductions of Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Ironheart, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and more. One of the new teams that fans are most looking forward to seeing is Marvel's first family, the Fantastic Four.
But there is a case to be made that before we see the Fantastic Four step into the spotlight, we should be introduced to their archenemy Doctor Doom first. Here we are going to look into the points for why Doctor Doom should make his MCU debut before the Fantastic Four. At present, Fantastic Four (2025) is scheduled to be released in February of 2025 as part of the MCU's Phase Six lineup, so we have plenty of time to see the Latverian leader step up.
Establishing Doom's Origins
Were Doom to be introduced before the Fantastic Four film, there could be more chances to build Doom's beginnings as both a master of technology as well as magic. With rumors swirling that Agatha: Coven of Chaos could introduce Mephisto, there may be a chance for Agatha Harkness to meet Doom's mother, a magic sorceress that fell to Mephisto.
It would be the loss of his mother that would drive Doom to create a machine that would allow him to speak to the dead. Though after the device catastrophically failed, Doom would be scarred and expelled, causing him to seek out Tibetan monks so he could learn their mystic ways as well as craft the armor that would become synonymous with his name. Doom would then return to his home country of Latveria, overthrowing the brutal dictator known as the Baron before taking his place as the country's leader.
Creating an Overarching Villain
Doctor Doom is an ambitious man, meaning his many attempted conquests lead him to cross paths with multiple heroes. We could see teases of Doom's plans as early as Captain America: New World Order (2024), with Doom playing the mastermind, moving pieces across the chessboard, perhaps motivating the Leader to make himself known after so many years of inactivity.
We could also see Doom's technological advances in the Secret Invasion series, as he handles the Skrulls in his own way. Or perhaps we see how he gains an education in magic through Agatha: Coven of Chaos. Another possibility could see Doom working alongside Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and appearing in The Thunderbolts (2025), revealing that he is the financial benefactor of the team of outcasts and criminals. A man of Doom's resources could easily provide the incentive that characters such as Red Guardian and Ghost would need.
Larger Focus on Doom's Abilities
With more time dedicated to Doctor Doom, there will be plenty of chances to establish that Doom is a potential front-runner both for Sorcerer Supreme and for Scientist Supreme. A man of extreme intelligence and ability, Doom had gone to one of the most respected colleges in the world, only being expelled when his ambitions outpaced his patience.
Crafting his own armor and constantly advancing his knowledge of magic (be it through traditional means or by making Faustian deals with demons), Doom continually seeks to prove himself superior to his foes, specifically Mr. Fantastic. By adding to his appearances in the MCU, the audience can become more familiar with the tools Doom has at his disposal.
Building up to the Clash
Now, this is a concept that the MCU is familiar with. As early as The Avengers (2012), the MCU had begun establishing that Thanos is the big bad of the entire MCU (at least during the Infinity Saga). By adding to his appearances across multiple films, audiences began anticipating the moment when Thanos would finally clash with Earth's mightiest heroes. The DCU had teased doing this same trick, first with Darkseid and again with Black Adam, but with James Gunn's upcoming reboot and Black Adam's pivot from villain to antihero, the endgame wasn't seen through.
While Marvel is already looking to establish Kang the Conqueror as the main villain encompassing the Multiverse Saga, it is essential we establish the powers that stand the greatest chance of stopping him. With WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), audiences have already witnessed that Scarlet Witch can pose a powerful threat to any being. With Doctor Doom's powers, it is possible he could prove a great and powerful threat to Kang, but first must come the epic clash between him and the Fantastic Four. With the anticipation already beginning before either party has made their official debut, Marvel would be wise to start fanning the flames by teasing Doom's presence and influence throughout the build to the epic battle between Doom and Marvel's first family.