Galactus Approaches: Marvel's Cosmic Giant Returns in Fantastic Four

Prepare for lift-off, Marvel fans! The first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has dropped, giving us our initial glimpse 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, setting this film apart from other MCU entries. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us buzzing, one character towers above the rest – literally: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus's Promising Debut

While Doctor Doom's presence is minimal in the trailer, Galactus's appearance is far more faithful to his comic book counterpart than previous cinematic attempts (like Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer). Let's delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally deliver a compelling portrayal of this iconic Marvel villain.

Unveiling the Devourer: Galactus Explained

For the uninitiated, 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 pre-Big Bang universe, he was transformed by the merging with his universe's sentience, becoming the first being of our own. Now Galactus, a colossal figure, he sustains himself by consuming life-bearing planets. His heralds, like the Silver Surfer, scout planets for him.

The initial clash between Galactus and the Fantastic Four saw the Watcher, breaking his neutrality, warn them of Galactus's approach. Despite battling the Silver Surfer, they couldn't prevent Galactus's arrival. The Human Torch's retrieval of the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forced 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 a morally ambiguous figure, driven by survival. However, despite his iconic status, previous big-screen portrayals have fallen short. Until now.

What did you think of the first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

Galactus's Second Coming: A Course Correction

Beyond appearances in cartoons and video games (like the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), Galactus's only previous film appearance was in Tim Story's 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This iteration was a disappointment, deviating significantly from his classic comic book design and lacking depth.

However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems to rectify this. The trailer's glimpse, combined with hints from last year's San Diego Comic-Con drone light show, suggests a closer adherence to Jack Kirby's original design. Marvel Studios' choice of Galactus as the villain for their Fantastic Four reboot is significant. With numerous Fantastic Four villains to choose from, this selection demonstrates a commitment to correcting past mistakes. And with Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can fully focus on Galactus's MCU debut.

This is crucial given the MCU's recent challenges in the Multiverse Saga. With many villains already utilized, Galactus's pedigree 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 pivotal roles.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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The past desire among fans to see the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) in the MCU highlights Galactus's importance. While the Fantastic Four's MCU reception is now positive, Galactus and related characters could be the key to rejuvenating the franchise after the Multiverse Saga.

Galactus is a premier Fantastic Four antagonist, and a compelling live-action portrayal is long overdue. This trailer suggests The Fantastic Four: First Steps is on the right track.