Galactus’ Return in The Fantastic Four: First Steps Signals Major MCU Impact

The debut trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has landed, offering a thrilling glimpse at Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel’s iconic First Family, alongside their robot ally HERBIE. The trailer’s retro-futuristic aesthetic sets a unique tone, distinct from other MCU projects. While excitement builds for the film’s July 25, 2025 release, one towering figure steals the spotlight: Galactus, the cosmic devourer of worlds.

The trailer offers only a fleeting look at Galactus, yet his design appears far truer to the comics than his previous portrayal in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Here’s why The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to finally honor this legendary Marvel character.

Who Is Galactus? The Devourer of Worlds Unveiled

For those unfamiliar with Galactus, here’s a dive into his comic book origins. Introduced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48, Galactus began as Galan, a mortal from the universe predating the Big Bang. Merging with his universe’s sentience, he survived its collapse, emerging as Galactus, a colossal entity driven to consume life-sustaining planets to endure. He employs heralds, like the Silver Surfer, to scout worlds for him.

In his first clash with the Fantastic Four, the Watcher, defying his vow of non-interference, alerted the team to Galactus’ approach. Despite their efforts to thwart the Silver Surfer, Galactus arrived to consume Earth. The Fantastic Four persuaded the Surfer to betray his master, but it was the Human Torch’s retrieval of the Ultimate Nullifier from Galactus’ worldship, Taa II, that forced the devourer to spare Earth in exchange for the weapon’s return. Galactus then exiled the Surfer to Earth for his disloyalty.

Galactus has since been a pivotal figure in the Marvel Universe, clashing repeatedly with the Fantastic Four and crossing paths with Thor, where his origins were further explored. Far from a traditional villain, his moral ambiguity stems from consuming planets out of necessity. Despite his prominence, his cinematic debut has yet to capture his full grandeur—until now.

Galactus’ Cinematic Redemption in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

While Galactus has appeared in animated series and games like the ’90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3, his sole film appearance in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was underwhelming. Reduced to a featureless cosmic cloud, devoid of his iconic purple armor and towering presence, he lacked dialogue and was easily defeated by the Silver Surfer. It fell far short of fans’ expectations.

Yet, The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises a bold revival. The trailer’s brief glimpse of Galactus, coupled with a drone light show tease at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, suggests a faithful adaptation of Jack Kirby’s visionary design. Marvel Studios’ choice of Galactus as the film’s central antagonist reflects their intent to rectify past missteps, especially given the array of Fantastic Four villains available. With Robert Downey, Jr.’s Doctor Doom slated for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, Marvel can fully focus on delivering a definitive Galactus.

This is critical amid the MCU’s recent challenges in the Multiverse Saga. With many villains already used, Galactus’ storied legacy makes him a prime candidate to reinvigorate the franchise. A compelling portrayal could boost excitement for the Fantastic Four’s pivotal role in the upcoming Avengers films.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

During the Fantastic Four’s absence due to the Fox-Marvel rights dispute, fans often clamored for their iconic foes—like Doctor Doom, Annihilus, and Galactus—over the team itself. While Ryan North’s current Fantastic Four comic run is winning fans back, Galactus and the team’s rogues’ gallery could be the spark the MCU needs post-Multiverse Saga.

Galactus remains a cornerstone of the Fantastic Four’s legacy, and it’s high time he shines in live-action. The trailer suggests Marvel’s on the right track, and come July 2025, we’ll see if The Fantastic Four: First Steps delivers the cosmic spectacle Galactus deserves.