Contains spoilers for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” takes place in an alternate MCU universe, specifically on Earth-828, rather than the familiar Earth-616. However, this new setting doesn’t stray from the core elements that fans anticipate in a Marvel film. You can still expect plenty of humor, a thrilling climax, and those essential post-credits scenes that might make you raise an eyebrow at anyone who leaves the theater too soon. Notably, the film offers two extra scenes worth sticking around for.

After the Fantastic Four manage to vanquish Galactus (played by Ralph Ineson), a year passes before the credits start rolling, and once again, they are celebrated as heroes. The story advances by four years in the mid-credits scene, meaning Franklin Richards has turned five. Sue Storm (portrayed by Vanessa Kirby) is seen reading to her son, and as she steps away briefly to fetch another book, she hears a peculiar sound from Franklin’s direction. She moves closer to find a mysterious figure clad in a green cloak standing near Franklin. This is unmistakably Doctor Doom, who is to be played by Robert Downey Jr. in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.”

When Downey was first announced for the role, there were mixed reactions about whether he could bring justice to this legendary villain or if his casting was purely for its marquee value. The mid-credits scene offers no clues about his performance because Doom remains silent — his face is not shown, though his iconic mask is visible in his hand. This scene primarily serves to set him up as the antagonist for the forthcoming “Avengers” film, hinting at a possible strong interest in Franklin. If Galactus desired Franklin’s power, it stands to reason Doom might covet it as well.

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” also has a scene at the very end of the credits, but it doesn’t have anything to do with Doctor Doom or “Avengers: Doomsday.” Instead, it’s a fun, animated intro sequence for the “Fantastic Four” cartoon that exists in the team’s universe. It was referenced throughout in the movie, like when Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) tells someone he doesn’t actually say “It’s clobberin’ time” in real life and that it’s just from a cartoon. The best takeaway from this scene is that the cartoon’s theme song has a choir singing “Fantastic Four,” just like you hear in the score’s main theme that’s played throughout the film.

The post-credits scene is a fun treat for fans who stick around until the end of the credits, but it’s the Doctor Doom scene that’ll inevitably get people theorizing about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Doctor Doom is clearly in play, but the question remains where he comes from. Is this the Victor von Doom of Earth-828, or is he visiting from another reality? Seeing as how “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” will close out the Multiverse Saga, anything’s possible.

There’s also the matter of what he wants inside the Baxter Building, though he does seem interested in Franklin Richards, who has his hand outstretched toward the FF’s classic nemesis. Maybe Victor wants Franklin to heal his face, which is normally scarred in the comics. But while it would be a good excuse for Robert Downey Jr. to not wear any prosthetics for his portrayal of the villain if Franklin has already healed him, something tells us Victor is interested in a little more than a free cosmetic procedure.

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is in theaters now.