Prepare for liftoff, True Believers! The first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has landed, giving us our first glimpse of 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 distinct from other MCU offerings. 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' Promising Debut
While Doctor Doom is notably absent from this initial trailer, Galactus' appearance is already a significant departure from previous cinematic attempts. This iteration appears far more faithful to his comic book origins than the underwhelming portrayal in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems poised to finally deliver a truly iconic Galactus.
Understanding the Devourer of Worlds
For the uninitiated, Galactus is a cosmic entity within the Marvel universe, co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48. His origins trace back to Galan, a mortal survivor of a pre-Big Bang universe. Transformed by the merging of his consciousness with the essence of his former universe, he emerged as Galactus, a colossal being whose survival depends on consuming life-bearing planets. His most famous herald is the Silver Surfer.
The Fantastic Four's first encounter with Galactus involved a warning from the Watcher, who violated his neutrality to save Earth. Their battle with the Silver Surfer failed to prevent Galactus' arrival. Ultimately, the Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forcing the cosmic entity to spare Earth in exchange for its return. This marked the beginning of Galactus' significant role in the Marvel universe, pitting him against the Fantastic Four and Thor on numerous occasions. While not traditionally "evil," he remains a morally ambiguous figure, driven by survival. However, until now, his big-screen appearances have fallen short.
AnswerSee ResultsA Reimagined GalactusDespite appearances 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 version was a significant disappointment, deviating drastically from his iconic comic book design. The film's portrayal lacked the visual impact and gravitas expected of such a powerful character.
Galactus is one of the few remaining Marvel villains with enough of a pedigree to help turn things around for the MCU. The trailer, along with hints from last year's San Diego Comic-Con drone light show, suggests a return to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel Studios' choice of Galactus as the antagonist for their Fantastic Four reboot is noteworthy. With the apparent saving of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, focus can be dedicated to giving Galactus the MCU debut he deserves.
This is crucial given the MCU's recent challenges within the Multiverse Saga. With a vast roster of villains already utilized, Galactus represents a powerful opportunity to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly impact the MCU's reputation and build anticipation 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 anticipation surrounding the Fantastic Four's rogues' gallery, including Galactus, has been high. While the focus is now shifting to the Fantastic Four themselves, Galactus and other associated characters could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga concludes.
Galactus is arguably one of the Fantastic Four's most compelling adversaries, and a faithful live-action portrayal is long overdue. Based on this trailer, Marvel's approach seems promising, and their "first steps" appear to be heading in the right direction.
