The Return of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps Could Mean Big Things for Marvel

The first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has dropped, giving us our first look at Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel's First Family, alongside their robotic companion, HERBIE. The retro-futuristic aesthetic is striking, and the trailer's tone feels distinctly different from other MCU projects. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us excited, one character stands out: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence

While Galactus is glimpsed, his appearance already seems a significant improvement over the portrayal in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This article explores why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally deliver a faithful adaptation of this iconic Marvel villain.

Who is Galactus?

For the uninitiated, Galactus is a cosmic entity from the Marvel universe, co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48. Originally Galan, a mortal survivor of a previous universe, he was transformed by the merging with his universe's sentience into the first being of the new universe. Now Galactus, he roams the cosmos, consuming life-bearing planets to survive. He utilizes heralds, the most famous being the Silver Surfer, to locate these planets.

The Fantastic Four's first encounter with Galactus involved a warning from the Watcher, who violated his non-interference oath to save Earth. Despite battling the Silver Surfer, the Fantastic Four couldn't prevent Galactus' arrival. Ultimately, the Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forcing him to spare Earth. This event led to the Silver Surfer's exile.

Since then, Galactus has frequently clashed with the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing his backstory. While not traditionally "evil," he's a morally ambiguous figure driven by survival. However, previous big-screen adaptations have fallen short.

A Reimagined Galactus

Galactus has appeared in cartoons and video games (like the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), but his only previous film appearance was in Tim Story's 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This version was a significant departure from the comics, depicted as a featureless cloud and ultimately easily defeated.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, however, suggests a course correction. The trailer, along with a drone light show at San Diego Comic-Con, hints at a closer adherence to Jack Kirby's original design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain is telling; they seem aware of the shortcomings of the 20th Century Fox version and aim for a more faithful adaptation. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can focus on giving Galactus a proper MCU debut.

This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles in the Multiverse Saga. Galactus represents one of the few remaining Marvel villains with the potential to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly improve the MCU's reputation and build anticipation for the next Avengers films, where the Fantastic Four are expected to play major roles.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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The past fan desire to see the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) in the MCU, even more than the team itself, highlights the significance of this adaptation. While the Fantastic Four's current positive reception is welcome, Galactus and other associated characters could be key to rejuvenating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga.

Galactus is a prime Fantastic Four villain, and a compelling live-action portrayal is long overdue. Judging from the trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be on the right track.