The Return of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps Could Mean Big Things for Marvel

True Believers, assemble! The first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has dropped, giving us our first glimpse at Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel's First Family, alongside their robot companion, HERBIE. The retro-futuristic art design sets a unique tone, a refreshing departure from most other MCU projects. While July 25th, 2025 can't come soon enough, one character truly towers above the rest: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.

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While only briefly glimpsed, Galactus already appears far more faithful to his comic book counterpart than the previous attempt in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems poised to finally do this iconic Marvel character justice.

Who Is the Devourer of Worlds? Galactus Explained

For those unfamiliar, let's explore Galactus' comic book history. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48, Galactus is a cosmic entity. Originally Galan, a mortal survivor of a previous universe, he was transformed by the merging with his universe's sentience, becoming the first being of the new universe. Now Galactus, a colossal figure traversing the cosmos, he sustains himself by consuming life-bearing planets. He often employs heralds to locate these planets, the most famous being the Silver Surfer.

In their first encounter, the Fantastic Four were warned of Galactus' arrival by the Watcher, who broke his vow of non-interference to save Earth. After battling the Silver Surfer, they failed to prevent Galactus' arrival. Despite convincing the Surfer to betray Galactus, the Human Torch had to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier—capable of harming Galactus—from Galactus' worldship, Taa II. Threatened with it, Galactus spared Earth in exchange for the Nullifier, exiling the Silver Surfer as punishment.

Galactus remains a pivotal figure in the Marvel universe, repeatedly clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing his backstory. Morally ambiguous, he's driven by survival, not inherent malice. Despite his iconic status, previous big-screen portrayals have fallen short—until now.

The Second Coming of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

While appearing in cartoons and video games (like the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), Galactus' previous cinematic appearance in Tim Story's 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was underwhelming. Despite following the basic comic book plot, Galactus' design—a featureless cloud—and lack of dialogue disappointed fans. His demise at the Surfer's hands felt anticlimactic.

However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises a course correction. The trailer, along with a drone light show at San Diego Comic-Con, suggests a closer adherence to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain for their reboot signifies a desire to rectify past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom potentially reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars (though a cameo remains a possibility), Marvel can fully focus on Galactus' MCU debut.

This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles in the Multiverse Saga. With many villains already utilized, Galactus' pedigree offers a chance to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could boost the MCU's reputation and generate excitement for the next Avengers films, where the Fantastic Four are set to play major roles.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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Fans previously expressed more interest in seeing the Fantastic Four's rogues' gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) than the team itself. While the Fantastic Four's popularity is resurgent (Ryan North's current comic run is highly recommended!), Galactus and related characters could be the key to rejuvenating the MCU post-Multiverse Saga.

Galactus is a prime Fantastic Four antagonist, and a fitting live-action portrayal is long overdue. Judging by the trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be on the right track. This July will reveal if Marvel's attempt succeeds, but initial impressions are promising.