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

Prepare for lift-off, True Believers! The first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has dropped, giving us our initial glimpse 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, setting a tone distinctly different from other MCU entries. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us buzzing, one character towers above the rest – literally – Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus's Promising Debut

While Doctor Doom's presence is minimal in the trailer, Galactus's appearance is far more faithful to his comic book counterpart than previous cinematic attempts (like Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer). Let's delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally deliver a satisfying portrayal of this iconic Marvel villain.

Understanding the Devourer of Worlds

For those unfamiliar, Galactus's comic book history is rich and complex. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48, Galactus began as Galan, a mortal survivor of a pre-Big Bang universe. He was reborn as Galactus, a cosmic entity who 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, a violation of his non-interference oath. The team battled the Silver Surfer, but failed to prevent Galactus's arrival. Ultimately, the Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forcing him to spare Earth. This event cemented Galactus's place in the Marvel universe, pitting him against the Fantastic Four and Thor on numerous occasions. While not traditionally "evil," he's a morally ambiguous figure, driven by survival. However, past film adaptations haven't done him justice...until now?

Despite appearances in cartoons and video games (like the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), Galactus's only previous cinematic appearance was in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This portrayal was widely criticized, deviating significantly from his iconic comic book design and lacking depth.

However, the trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, along with hints from last year's San Diego Comic-Con drone light show, suggests a return to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the primary antagonist is significant, indicating a desire to rectify past shortcomings. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom potentially reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can fully concentrate on giving Galactus the MCU debut he deserves.

This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles in the Multiverse Saga. Galactus represents one of the few remaining villains with the potential to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly improve 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 anticipation surrounding Galactus's MCU debut was heightened during the period when the Fantastic Four's film rights were contested. Fans eagerly awaited seeing the FF's rogues' gallery, including Galactus, within the MCU. While the Fantastic Four's current positive reception is undeniable (Ryan North's current comic run is a testament to this), Galactus and other associated characters could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga concludes.

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