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 looms large: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus's Promising Debut

While Galactus is prominently featured, Doctor Doom is notably absent from the trailer. However, this Galactus already appears far superior to the underwhelming depiction in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's explore why The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems poised to finally do justice to 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. Born Galan, he was the sole survivor of a previous universe, merging with its sentience to become the first being of our own. Now Galactus, he roams the cosmos, consuming life-bearing planets to survive. He employs heralds to locate these planets, most famously the Silver Surfer.

His first encounter with the Fantastic Four involved a warning from the Watcher, who violated his neutrality to save Earth. The FF battled the Silver Surfer, but Galactus arrived to consume the planet. The Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forcing him to retreat. This marked the beginning of Galactus's significant role in the Marvel universe, clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor on numerous occasions. He's not simply "evil," but a morally ambiguous figure driven by survival. Despite his iconic status, previous film adaptations have fallen short.

While appearing in cartoons and video games (like the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), Galactus's previous cinematic appearance in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was widely criticized. His design was drastically altered, and his portrayal lacked impact.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, however, promises a significant improvement. The trailer, along with a drone light show at San Diego Comic-Con, suggests a faithful adaptation of Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain for their reboot signifies a commitment to rectifying past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the focus can be solely on Galactus's MCU debut.

This is particularly crucial given the MCU's recent struggles. Galactus represents a high-profile villain 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 Images

The past anticipation for seeing Fantastic Four villains like Doctor Doom, Annihilus, and Galactus in the MCU highlights their significance. While the Fantastic Four's current positive reception is undeniable, Galactus and other associated characters could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga.

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