Who Is in the Ship at the End of Thunderbolts*? Doctor Doom?

Wondering if Doctor Doom is really aboard that mysterious ship in the Thunderbolts* post-credit scene? With the multiverse cracking open and incursions on the rise, the ship’s arrival, marked with the Fantastic Four logo, has sparked intense speculation. While many believe it signals the debut of Reed Richards and his team, a growing theory suggests something far more dangerous may be unfolding.

Here’s what the ship reveals, why some think Doctor Doom is aboard, and what it could mean for the MCU.

Does Doctor Doom or Fantastic Four arrive on Earth in Thunderbolts*?

In the Thunderbolts* post-credit scene, an extra-dimensional ship with the Fantastic Four logo enters Earth’s atmosphere. The team, considered the “New Avengers,” observes the ship amid growing tensions over a trademark dispute with Sam Wilson’s Captain America. The scene follows a reference to a “space crisis,” likely tied to a multiversal incursion, a concept that perhaps connects directly to Secret Wars.

Footage shows that the ship resembles the one seen in Fantastic Four: First Steps trailers. A chalkboard in the trailer displays references to “multiversal bridges,” supporting the theory that the team escaped their dying universe. One line heard in the trailer states, “It’s my fault. I stretched the bounds of space and they heard,” suggesting Reed Richards’ actions triggered catastrophic consequences.

An alternate theory suggests the ship doesn’t carry Reed, Sue, Ben, Johnny, or Franklin Richards. Instead, it may hold Doctor Doom. In this version, Doom survives his universe’s collapse and uses the ship to reach the mainline MCU. Some believe he could resemble Tony Stark, gaining the Thunderbolts’ trust. This would allow him to manipulate them into forming a new public-facing Avengers team.

The post-credit scene mentions the team being shut out of major events. One character says, “There’s this huge space crisis and no one’s telling us about it,” implying an impending multiversal collision. If Doom is on board, the Thunderbolts could unknowingly follow a villain. This may lead to a divide between them and Sam Wilson’s Avengers, who try to resist his influence.

Some fan theories claim Doom stole the ship and took Franklin Richards with him. He may use Franklin’s powers to reshape the multiverse. The ship’s arrival could mark the start of a major conflict across universes. This moment could set the stage for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.