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 design 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 truly stands out: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence

While only glimpsed briefly, Galactus already appears far more faithful to his comic book counterpart than the previous attempt in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's explore why The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems poised to finally deliver a fitting cinematic portrayal 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. His most famous herald is the Silver Surfer.

His first encounter with the Fantastic Four involved a warning from the Watcher (who broke his non-interference oath), followed by a battle with the Silver Surfer. Despite the Surfer's initial allegiance to Galactus, the Human Torch ultimately retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier – capable of harming Galactus – forcing the Devourer to spare Earth. This event led to the Surfer's exile.

Galactus has since become a major Marvel figure, clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor on numerous occasions. His actions, while destructive, stem from a need for survival, making him a morally ambiguous antagonist. However, past cinematic adaptations have fallen short.

Despite appearances in cartoons and video games (like the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), Galactus' previous film 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 appears to rectify this. The trailer, 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 primary antagonist 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 challenges. Galactus represents one of the few remaining high-profile villains with the potential to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly boost the MCU's reputation and generate excitement for the upcoming Avengers films, in which the Fantastic Four are expected to play major roles.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

20 ImagesThe past anticipation for seeing the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) in the MCU highlights Galactus' importance. While the Fantastic Four's current positive reception is welcome, Galactus and associated characters could be key to reinvigorating the MCU post-Multiverse Saga.

Galactus is a prime Fantastic Four character, and a compelling live-action portrayal is long overdue. Judging by the trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be heading in the right direction.