Marvel's Mighty Galactus Makes Epic Return

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, alongside their robotic companion, HERBIE. The retro-futuristic aesthetic is striking, setting a distinct tone apart from other MCU projects. The trailer's highlight, however, is a glimpse of Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, who appears far more faithful to his comic book counterpart than previous cinematic iterations. The film's release is slated for July 25, 2025.

Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Significance

While Doctor Doom's presence is minimal in the trailer, Galactus' design is a significant departure from the underwhelming portrayal in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This new version seems poised to finally do justice to the iconic Marvel villain.

Understanding Galactus: The Devourer of Worlds

For those unfamiliar, Galactus, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48, is a cosmic entity. Originating as Galan, the sole survivor of a previous universe, he was transformed by the merging with his universe's sentience into the first being of the new universe. To survive, Galactus consumes life-bearing planets, often employing heralds like the Silver Surfer to locate them.

The Fantastic Four's initial encounter with Galactus involved a warning from the Watcher and a battle with the Silver Surfer. The Human Torch ultimately retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, forcing Galactus to spare Earth. This marked the beginning of Galactus' prominent role in the Marvel universe, with subsequent conflicts against the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing more of his backstory. While not traditionally "evil," Galactus is a morally ambiguous figure driven by survival.

A Course Correction for Galactus

Previous cinematic appearances, particularly in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, depicted Galactus as a disappointing, featureless cloud, a far cry from his comic book design. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, however, promises a course correction. The trailer, along with a previous drone light show at San Diego Comic-Con, suggests a closer adherence to Jack Kirby's original design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the primary antagonist for their Fantastic Four reboot signifies their intent to rectify past shortcomings. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom reportedly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can fully focus on delivering a compelling MCU debut for Galactus.

Reviving the MCU with Galactus

Galactus' inclusion is crucial, given the MCU's recent struggles in the Multiverse Saga. He represents one of the few remaining Marvel villains with the potential to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly improve the MCU's reputation and generate excitement for the upcoming Avengers films, in which the Fantastic Four are expected to play major roles.

Gallery of Stills from the Trailer:

20 Images

The anticipation surrounding Galactus' live-action debut is high, and based on the trailer, Marvel appears to be on the right track to finally deliver a worthy adaptation of this iconic character.