Galactus Returns: Marvel's Cosmic Epic Begins

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 towers above the rest: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence

While Galactus is only glimpsed, his design appears far truer to the comics than the previous attempt in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's explore why The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems poised to finally deliver a compelling portrayal of this iconic Marvel villain.

Understanding Galactus: The Devourer of Worlds

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 with his universe's sentience into 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, the most famous being the Silver Surfer.

His first encounter with the Fantastic Four involved a warning from the Watcher, who violated his non-interference oath to save Earth. The FF battled the Silver Surfer, but Galactus arrived to consume the planet. The Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, capable of harming Galactus, forcing him to spare Earth. This event marked Galactus' significant role in the Marvel universe, with subsequent clashes against the Fantastic Four, Thor, and others. While not traditionally "evil," he's a morally ambiguous figure driven by survival. However, his big-screen portrayals have fallen short—until now.

Despite appearances in cartoons and video games, Galactus' only previous film appearance was in Tim Story's 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This portrayal was widely criticized, deviating significantly from his iconic comic design and offering a lackluster performance.

However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to rectify this. The trailer's glimpse, combined with teases from last year's San Diego Comic-Con drone light show, suggests a faithful adaptation of Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the main villain for their reboot is significant, indicating a desire to correct past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom potentially 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. Galactus' pedigree offers a chance to revitalize the franchise, boosting anticipation 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 for Galactus and other Fantastic Four villains was high during the Fox-Marvel rights dispute. While the Fantastic Four's popularity is now firmly established, Galactus and his ilk could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga.

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