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 refreshingly different from typical MCU fare. While the July 25, 2025 release date has us buzzing, one character stands out: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.
Doctor Doom's Absence and Galactus' Prominence
While Doctor Doom is noticeably absent from this trailer, Galactus' appearance is a significant departure from previous cinematic portrayals. His design seems far truer to the comics than the underwhelming version seen in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally deliver a compelling Galactus.
Who is the Devourer of Worlds?
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, the sole survivor of a previous universe, he was reborn as Galactus after merging with the sentience of his destroyed universe. This cosmic being sustains himself by consuming life-bearing planets. His most famous herald is the Silver Surfer.
The Fantastic Four's first encounter with Galactus involved a warning from the Watcher, a breach of his non-interference oath to save Earth. Despite battling the Silver Surfer, the Fantastic Four couldn't prevent Galactus' arrival. Ultimately, the Human Torch retrieved the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon capable of harming Galactus, forcing the Devourer to spare Earth.
Since then, Galactus has remained a prominent figure in the Marvel universe, clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor, revealing more of his complex backstory. While not traditionally "evil," his actions are morally ambiguous, driven by survival. However, his cinematic portrayals have fallen short—until now.
AnswerSee ResultsA Reimagined Galactus
While Galactus has appeared in cartoons and video games, his previous film appearance in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was widely criticized. The film's version, a featureless cloud, lacked the iconic comic design and impact.
However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer hints at a significant improvement. The glimpses of Galactus, combined with last year's San Diego Comic-Con drone light show, suggest a faithful adaptation of Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain is telling; it acknowledges the shortcomings of previous attempts and signifies a commitment to getting it right. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can fully focus on Galactus' MCU debut.
This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles. Galactus represents a chance to revitalize the franchise, potentially boosting excitement for the upcoming Avengers films, where the Fantastic Four are expected to play major roles.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
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The anticipation for Galactus and other Fantastic Four villains was high during the Fox-Marvel rights dispute. While the focus is now rightly on the Fantastic Four themselves, Galactus remains a key character who could significantly enhance the MCU. This new adaptation promises a long-overdue, faithful portrayal of this iconic villain. The trailer suggests The Fantastic Four: First Steps is heading in the right direction.
