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, along with their robotic companion, HERBIE. The retro-futuristic aesthetic is striking, and the trailer's tone feels refreshingly different from typical MCU fare. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us buzzing, one character towers above the rest: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence

While Galactus is only glimpsed, his design already surpasses the previous cinematic attempt in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's explore why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally do Galactus justice.

Who Is Galactus?

For the uninitiated, Galactus is a cosmic entity from the Marvel comics, co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48. Originating as Galan, a mortal survivor of a previous universe, he was reborn as Galactus after merging with the sentience of that universe. This cosmic being sustains himself by consuming life-bearing planets. His most famous herald is the Silver Surfer.

The Fantastic Four's initial 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 Surfer's exile.

Galactus has remained a significant Marvel figure, clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor on numerous occasions. While not traditionally "evil," he's a morally ambiguous character driven by survival. However, previous big-screen portrayals have fallen short.

While appearing in cartoons and video games (including the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), Galactus' previous cinematic appearance in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was underwhelming. His design was drastically altered, and his portrayal lacked the impact of his comic book counterpart.

However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems to rectify this. The trailer's glimpse, along with a drone light show at San Diego Comic-Con, suggests a closer adherence to Jack Kirby's original design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain for their reboot is significant, indicating a desire to correct past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can fully focus on Galactus' MCU debut.

This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles. Galactus, with his established legacy, could revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could positively impact the MCU's reputation and build anticipation for the next Avengers films, in which the Fantastic Four are expected to play major roles.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

20 ImagesFans' past preference for seeing the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) in the MCU, rather than the team itself, is noteworthy. While the Fantastic Four's current standing is positive, Galactus and related characters could be key to rejuvenating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga.

Galactus is a prime Fantastic Four antagonist, and his long-awaited live-action debut is overdue. Judging by the trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be on the right track.