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 overall tone feels distinct from other MCU projects. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us buzzing, one character particularly commands attention: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence

While Galactus is glimpsed, his appearance 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 deliver a faithful portrayal of this iconic Marvel villain.

Who is the Devourer of Worlds? Galactus Explained

For those unfamiliar, 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 our own. Now Galactus, he traverses the cosmos, consuming life-bearing planets for survival. He employs heralds to locate these planets, the most famous being the Silver Surfer.

Initially encountering the Fantastic Four, Galactus' arrival was foretold by the Watcher, who broke his neutrality to warn Earth. The team battled the Silver Surfer, but ultimately, the Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier—a weapon capable of harming Galactus—from Galactus' worldship, Taa II. Threatened with the Nullifier, Galactus spared Earth in exchange for its return, exiling the Silver Surfer as punishment for his betrayal.

Since then, Galactus has become a pivotal figure in the Marvel universe, repeatedly clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing his backstory. He's not traditionally "evil," but morally ambiguous, driven by survival. Despite his iconic status, previous big-screen adaptations have fallen short.

Galactus' Reimagining in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

While appearing in cartoons and video games (including the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), Galactus' only previous film appearance was in Tim Story's 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This portrayal was widely criticized. Though the basic plot followed the comics (Surfer's arrival preceding Galactus' planetary consumption, with Doctor Doom's theft of the Surfer's board added), Galactus' design was underwhelming—a featureless cloud, far removed from his iconic comic book appearance. His silent, easily defeated portrayal disappointed fans.

Galactus is one of the few remaining Marvel villains with enough of a pedigree to help turn things around for the MCU.

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 adherence to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain in their reboot is significant. Despite numerous Fantastic Four antagonists (and potential appearances of others—John Malkovich's role remains undisclosed), this selection indicates a desire to correct past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars (though a cameo in First Steps remains a possibility), Marvel can focus on Galactus' deserved MCU debut.

This is crucial, given the MCU's recent struggles in the Multiverse Saga. With many films and villains already utilized, Galactus offers a chance 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

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Fans previously expressed more interest in seeing the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) than the team itself during the Fox-Marvel rights dispute. While the perception of the Fantastic Four has improved (Ryan North's current comic run is a prime example), Galactus and related characters could be key to the MCU's post-Multiverse Saga rejuvenation.

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