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 overall tone feels distinct 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'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 delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears poised to finally do justice to this iconic Marvel villain.

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. Originating as Galan, a mortal survivor of a previous universe, he was transformed by the merging with his universe's sentience, becoming the first being of the new universe. Now Galactus, he roams the cosmos, consuming life-bearing planets to sustain himself. He employs heralds, the most famous being the Silver Surfer, to locate these planets.

The initial confrontation between Galactus and the Fantastic Four saw the Watcher, breaking his vow of non-interference, warn them of Galactus's approach. Despite battling the Silver Surfer, the Fantastic Four couldn't prevent Galactus's arrival. However, they managed to convince the Surfer to betray Galactus, leading the Human Torch to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier—a weapon capable of harming Galactus—from Galactus's worldship, Taa II. Threatened with the Nullifier, Galactus spared Earth, but exiled the Silver Surfer as punishment.

Since then, Galactus has remained a prominent figure in the Marvel universe, clashing with the Fantastic Four and Thor on multiple occasions. While not traditionally "evil," he's morally ambiguous, driven by survival. Despite his iconic status, previous big-screen portrayals have fallen short.

Galactus's Second Coming: A Course Correction?

Prior to First Steps, Galactus appeared only in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), a significantly underwhelming portrayal. His design was drastically altered, and his character lacked depth. First Steps, however, seems to be rectifying this. The trailer's glimpse, along with a drone light show at San Diego Comic-Con, suggests a closer adherence to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the primary antagonist in their Fantastic Four reboot is telling, indicating a desire to correct past mistakes. With Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom seemingly reserved for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel can fully focus on giving Galactus a fitting MCU debut.

This is particularly crucial given the MCU's recent struggles in the Multiverse Saga. With a vast roster of villains already utilized, Galactus represents a powerful figure who could revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could significantly improve the MCU's standing and build anticipation for the next 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 past anticipation for seeing the Fantastic Four's rogues' gallery (Doctor Doom, Annihilus, Galactus) in the MCU highlights the significance of this portrayal. While the Fantastic Four's current standing is positive, Galactus and associated characters could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU post-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.