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, and the trailer's tone feels distinctly different from other MCU projects. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us buzzing, one character particularly stands out: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.
Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence
While Doctor Doom is notably absent from this trailer, Galactus' appearance is a significant departure from previous cinematic portrayals. His design seems far more faithful to the comics than the underwhelming depiction in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's delve 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 from the Marvel universe, co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48. Originating as Galan, a mortal survivor of a previous universe, he was transformed by the merging with the sentience of his universe, becoming the first being of the new one. Now Galactus, he roams the cosmos, sustaining himself by consuming life-bearing planets. His most famous herald is the Silver Surfer.
The Fantastic Four's initial encounter with Galactus involved a warning from the Watcher, who violated his non-interference oath to save Earth. Despite battling the Silver Surfer, they failed to prevent Galactus' arrival. The Human Torch's retrieval of the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forced the Devourer to spare Earth. This event led to the Silver Surfer's exile.
Since then, Galactus has remained a significant figure in the Marvel universe, clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor on multiple occasions. While not traditionally "evil," he's a morally ambiguous character driven by survival. However, his big-screen appearances have fallen short of expectations. Until now.
AnswerSee ResultsA Reimagined Galactus
Despite appearances in cartoons and video games (including 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 impact of his comic book counterpart.
However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems to rectify this. The trailer, along with a 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 villain for their reboot signifies their awareness of past shortcomings and their intention to deliver a more faithful adaptation. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the focus can be entirely on Galactus.
This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles. Galactus represents one of the few remaining villains with the potential to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly impact 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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Fans' previous preference for seeing the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) over the team itself highlights the importance of this portrayal. While the current perception of the Fantastic Four is more positive, Galactus and other associated characters could be key to rejuvenating the MCU after the Multiverse Saga.
Galactus is a prime Fantastic Four villain, and a compelling live-action adaptation is long overdue. Based on the trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be on the right track.
