Prepare for liftoff, True Believers! 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 this film apart from other MCU projects. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us buzzing, one character truly 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 far more faithful to his comic book counterpart than previous cinematic attempts (like Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer). Let's explore why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally deliver a truly iconic portrayal of this Marvel legend.
Who Is Galactus? A Cosmic Overview
For the uninitiated, Galactus is a cosmic entity from the Marvel universe, co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby 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 sustains himself by consuming life-bearing planets. His heralds, most famously the Silver Surfer, scout these worlds for him.
The Fantastic Four's initial encounter with Galactus involved a warning from the Watcher (breaking his non-interference oath). Despite battling the Silver Surfer, they couldn't 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 cemented Galactus's place in the Marvel universe, leading to numerous clashes with the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing his complex backstory. While not traditionally "evil," his actions are morally ambiguous, driven by survival. However, until now, big-screen adaptations have fallen short.
AnswerSee ResultsGalactus's Second Coming: A Course CorrectionPrevious appearances in cartoons and video games aside, Galactus's only previous film appearance was in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This portrayal was widely criticized for its deviation from the source material, depicting Galactus as a featureless cloud. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, however, seems to be a significant improvement. The trailer, along with hints from last year's San Diego Comic-Con drone show, suggests a closer adherence to Jack Kirby's iconic design.
Marvel Studios' choice of Galactus as the primary antagonist is telling. With a wealth of Fantastic Four villains to choose from (and potential appearances of others still to be revealed), this selection indicates a desire to rectify past shortcomings. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom reportedly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the focus can be solely on giving Galactus the MCU debut he deserves.
This is particularly crucial given the MCU's recent challenges. Galactus represents a chance to revitalize the franchise, potentially boosting anticipation for the upcoming Avengers films, in which the Fantastic Four are expected to play significant roles.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
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The past anticipation for seeing the Fantastic Four's rogues gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, and Galactus) in the MCU highlights the significance of this moment. While the Fantastic Four's own merits are now widely acknowledged, Galactus and his ilk offer the potential to reinvigorate the MCU after the Multiverse Saga concludes.
Galactus is a premier Fantastic Four antagonist, and his long-awaited, glorious live-action debut is finally upon us. Judging by this trailer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be on the right track.
