The first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has dropped, offering a 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 sets it apart from other MCU projects. 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's presence is minimal in the trailer, Galactus' appearance is significantly closer to his comic book counterpart than previous cinematic iterations, notably the underwhelming portrayal in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This article delves into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally do justice to this iconic Marvel villain.

Who is Galactus?

For the uninitiated, Galactus is a cosmic entity, a creation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, introduced in Fantastic Four #48. Originally Galan, a mortal survivor of a previous universe, he was transformed by the merging with his universe's sentience into the first being of the new universe. As Galactus, he roams the cosmos, consuming life-bearing planets to sustain himself. He employs heralds to locate these planets, the most famous being the Silver Surfer.

In their initial encounter, the Fantastic Four were warned of Galactus' arrival by the Watcher, who violated his non-interference oath to save Earth. Despite their battle with the Silver Surfer, they failed to prevent Galactus' arrival. Ultimately, the Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, capable of harming Galactus, forcing him to spare Earth. This event marked Galactus' entry into the Marvel universe, leading to numerous confrontations with the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing his backstory. While not traditionally "evil," he's a morally ambiguous figure driven by survival. However, past big-screen adaptations have fallen short.

Galactus' Reimagining in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Previous appearances in cartoons and video games aside, Galactus' only prior cinematic appearance was in the 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which was widely criticized. The film's depiction, deviating significantly from the comic book design, was a major disappointment.

However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer suggests a significant improvement. The glimpses of Galactus, along with hints from last year's San Diego Comic-Con drone light show, indicate adherence to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain for their reboot also signifies a desire to rectify past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can focus on delivering a fitting MCU debut for Galactus.

This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles within the Multiverse Saga. Galactus represents one of the few remaining 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 in the MCU highlights the significance of Galactus' portrayal. While the Fantastic Four's own reception has improved, Galactus and other associated characters could be key to rejuvenating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga.

Galactus is a prime Fantastic Four antagonist, and a compelling live-action portrayal is long overdue. Judging by the trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be on the right track.