While the hood of his forest-green cloak obscures his face, the stranger holds in his hands the familiar mask of Doctor Doom. Yup, this scene sets up exactly what you think it does: It tees up Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.

First Steps line up with the end of Thunderbolts* as the franchise builds to the release of the epic Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026? CinemaBlend's own Jeff McCobb recently broached that subject in an interview with director Matt Shakman during the Los Angeles press day for the new 2025 movie,