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 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 Galactus is only glimpsed, his design already appears far superior to the previous cinematic attempt in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's explore why The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems poised to finally deliver a faithful 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. Originating as Galan, a mortal survivor of a previous universe, he was transformed by the merging of his universe's sentience into the first being of the new universe. Now Galactus, he sustains himself by consuming life-bearing planets. He employs heralds to locate these planets, the most famous being 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, they failed to prevent Galactus' arrival. The Human Torch ultimately retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forcing the Devourer to spare Earth in exchange for its return. This event marked the beginning of Galactus' significant role in the Marvel universe, pitting him against the Fantastic Four, Thor, and others. While not traditionally "evil," he remains a morally ambiguous figure driven by survival. However, previous big-screen portrayals have fallen short.

While Galactus appeared in cartoons and video games (including the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), his previous cinematic appearance in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was underwhelming. The film's depiction, a featureless cloud, lacked the iconic comic book design. This new portrayal, however, judging from the trailer and a San Diego Comic-Con drone light show, promises a return to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain for their Fantastic Four reboot signals a desire to rectify past shortcomings. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can focus 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 Marvel villains with the potential to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly improve 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 ImagesThe past desire to see the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) in the MCU, fueled by the Fox-Marvel rights dispute, highlights the significance of this moment. While the Fantastic Four's own standing is now secure, Galactus and related characters could be the key to rejuvenating the MCU post-Multiverse Saga.

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