Prepare for lift-off, Marvel fans! The first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has landed, giving us our first 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 a tone distinctly different 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 Prominence
While Doctor Doom's presence is minimal in the trailer, Galactus's appearance is a significant departure from previous cinematic iterations. This version seems far truer 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 promises a more faithful and impactful rendition of this iconic villain.
Who Is Galactus? A Cosmic Overview
For the uninitiated, Galactus is a cosmic entity within 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 reborn after the Big Bang, infused with the sentience of his former cosmos. Transformed into Galactus, he roams the universe, sustaining himself by consuming life-bearing planets. His heralds, the most famous being the Silver Surfer, locate these planets for him.
The Fantastic Four's initial encounter with Galactus involved a warning from the Watcher, who violated his neutrality to protect Earth. Despite battling the Silver Surfer, they failed to prevent Galactus's arrival. The Human Torch's daring retrieval of the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forced the Devourer to spare Earth. This event, however, resulted in the Silver Surfer's exile.
Since then, Galactus has repeatedly clashed with the Fantastic Four and Thor, his backstory gradually revealed. He's not purely "evil," but a morally ambiguous figure driven by survival. Despite his iconic status, previous big-screen adaptations have fallen short. Until now.
AnswerSee ResultsA Reimagined GalactusWhile Galactus has appeared in cartoons and video games (including the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3), his previous cinematic outing in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was widely criticized. His design—a featureless cloud—was a far cry from his iconic comic book counterpart. His silent, unceremonious demise further disappointed fans.
Galactus represents a crucial opportunity for the MCU to course-correct. The trailer, along with teases from last year's San Diego Comic-Con drone show, suggests a return to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the primary antagonist for their Fantastic Four reboot signals a commitment to rectifying past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the focus can be solely on delivering a compelling MCU debut for Galactus.
This is particularly crucial given the MCU's recent challenges. With a vast roster of villains already utilized, Galactus offers a chance 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 long-awaited arrival of Galactus, alongside other Fantastic Four villains, could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga. While the Fantastic Four's own appeal has grown, Galactus and his ilk represent a powerful injection of fresh energy.
Galactus is a prime example of the Fantastic Four's rich villain gallery. This July, we'll see if Marvel's interpretation lives up to expectations, but based on the trailer, their initial steps appear promising.
