Marvel's Mastermind Galactus Returns in Fantastic Four

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 commands attention: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence

While Doctor Doom is notably absent from this trailer, Galactus' brief appearance hints at a far more comic-accurate portrayal than his previous cinematic iteration 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 debut for this iconic villain.

Who Is Galactus? A Cosmic Overview

For the uninitiated, Galactus is a cosmic entity from the Marvel universe, co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48. Originating as Galan, the sole survivor of a previous universe, he was reborn after the Big Bang, imbued with the sentience of his former universe, becoming the colossal Galactus. His survival depends on consuming life-bearing planets, a role often aided by heralds, most famously 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 – capable of harming Galactus – forcing the Devourer to spare Earth. This event led to the Silver Surfer's exile.

Since then, Galactus has repeatedly clashed with the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing his backstory. While not traditionally "evil," he's morally ambiguous, driven by survival. Despite his iconic status, previous big-screen adaptations haven't captured his essence. Until now.

Galactus Reimagined: A Course Correction

While appearing in cartoons and 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. The film's depiction, deviating from his iconic comic design, presented him as a featureless cloud, lacking presence and ultimately dispatched with ease.

This time, however, the trailer and previous teases (like the drone light show at San Diego Comic-Con) suggest a faithful adaptation of Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the primary antagonist for their reboot 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, the focus can be squarely on Galactus' MCU debut.

This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles. Galactus represents one of the few remaining high-profile villains capable of revitalizing the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly boost the MCU's reputation and generate 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

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The past anticipation for seeing the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) in the MCU highlights the importance of this character. While the Fantastic Four's reputation is now largely positive, Galactus and his associated characters could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU post-Multiverse Saga.

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