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, along with 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 is highly anticipated, one character particularly stands out: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.
Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence
While Doctor Doom is largely absent from this trailer, Galactus' appearance is far more faithful to his comic book counterpart than previous cinematic attempts, notably Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This article delves into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally deliver a compelling portrayal of this iconic Marvel 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. 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, he roams the cosmos, sustaining himself by consuming life-bearing planets. 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 Fantastic Four battled the Silver Surfer, but ultimately, the Human Torch had to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier—a weapon capable of harming Galactus—to force him to spare Earth. This event led to the Silver Surfer's exile.
Since then, Galactus has become a significant figure in the Marvel universe, clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor on numerous occasions. While not traditionally "evil," he's a morally ambiguous character, driven by survival. However, past cinematic portrayals have fallen short of expectations.
A Reimagined Galactus
Despite appearances in cartoons and video games (like the 90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), Galactus' previous film appearance in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was widely criticized. His design was drastically altered, and his portrayal lacked the gravitas of the comic book character.
This time, however, the trailer and previous teases (like the drone light show at San Diego Comic-Con) suggest a closer adherence to Jack Kirby's original design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the primary antagonist in their Fantastic Four reboot is significant, indicating a desire to rectify past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the focus can be squarely on Galactus' MCU debut.
A Crucial Character for the MCU's Future
This is particularly crucial given the MCU's recent struggles within the Multiverse Saga. Galactus represents one of the few remaining high-profile villains 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
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The past anticipation for the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) in the MCU highlights the significance of this character. While the Fantastic Four's current positive reception is undeniable, Galactus and associated characters could be the key to rejuvenating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga concludes.
Ultimately, Galactus is a pivotal Fantastic Four character, and his live-action portrayal has been long overdue. Judging by the trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be on the right track.
