Prepare for lift-off, Marvel fans! 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 is striking, setting this apart from other MCU projects. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us buzzing, one character towers above the rest: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.
Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus's Promising Debut
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 more faithful 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 appears poised to finally do justice to this iconic Marvel villain.
Understanding Galactus: The Devourer of Worlds
For the uninitiated, Galactus is a cosmic entity, a creation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first introduced in Fantastic Four #48. Born Galan, he was the sole survivor of a previous universe, merging with its sentience to become the first being of our own. Now 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.
His first encounter with the Fantastic Four involved a warning from the Watcher, who violated his neutrality to save Earth. The team battled the Silver Surfer, but Galactus arrived to consume the planet. The Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forcing him to spare Earth. This marked the beginning of Galactus's significant role in the Marvel universe, clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing his backstory and morally ambiguous nature—a survivor, not inherently evil. However, previous film adaptations haven't captured his essence.
AnswerSee ResultsA Reimagined Galactus
Despite appearances in cartoons and video games, Galactus's only previous film appearance (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) was disappointing. His design was drastically altered, and his portrayal lacked the impact of his comic book counterpart.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps, however, promises a significant improvement. The trailer, along with a previous San Diego Comic-Con drone light show, hints at a design faithful to Jack Kirby's original vision. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain for their reboot suggests a desire to rectify past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for future Avengers films, the focus is squarely on giving Galactus the MCU debut he deserves.
This is crucial for the MCU, which has faced recent challenges. Galactus, with his established legacy, could be the key to revitalizing 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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Fans' anticipation for seeing Galactus and other Fantastic Four villains in the MCU has been high. While the Fantastic Four's own popularity is undeniable, Galactus represents a significant opportunity to reinvigorate the MCU after the Multiverse Saga.
This is Galactus's moment. Judging by the trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be on the right track to finally deliver the epic, live-action Galactus fans have long awaited.
