Attention, True Believers! The eagerly anticipated first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has dropped, and it's packed with exciting reveals. We get our initial glimpse of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach stepping into the roles of Marvel's First Family. Alongside them, we see the robot companion HERBIE and get a taste of the movie's unique retro-futurism-inspired art design. The trailer sets a distinct tone, differentiating itself from the usual MCU fare. As we eagerly await the film's release on July 25, 2025, one character that truly captures our attention is Galactus, the devourer of worlds.
Where Is Doctor Doom In the Fantastic Four: First Steps Trailer?
While Doctor Doom's presence is minimal in the trailer, Galactus takes center stage, and he appears much closer to his comic book roots than in the previous attempt in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks set to honor this iconic Marvel character.
Who Is The Devourer of Worlds? Galactus Explained
For those unfamiliar with Galactus, let's explore his history in the comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48, Galactus was originally a mortal named Galan. He survived the destruction of the previous universe and merged with its sentience, becoming the first being of the new universe. As Galactus, he became a cosmic entity who roams the cosmos, consuming life-bearing planets to sustain himself. He employs heralds to find suitable planets, with the Silver Surfer being the most renowned.
In his first encounter with the Fantastic Four, the team was alerted to Galactus' arrival by the Watcher, who broke his vow of non-interference to save Earth. Despite their efforts, the team couldn't prevent the Silver Surfer from summoning Galactus. The Human Torch ventured into Galactus' worldship, Taa II, to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier, the only weapon capable of threatening Galactus. Mr. Fantastic used the Nullifier to force Galactus to spare Earth, but not before the devourer exiled the Silver Surfer to the planet as punishment for his betrayal.
Since then, Galactus has remained a pivotal figure in the Marvel universe, clashing with the Fantastic Four and other heroes like Thor, whose encounters helped flesh out Galactus' backstory. Despite his role as an antagonist, Galactus isn't inherently evil; he's a morally ambiguous entity driven by the need to survive. Yet, despite his status as one of Marvel's most fascinating villains, previous film adaptations haven't done him justice—until now.
The Second Coming of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Although Galactus has appeared in various cartoons and video games, such as the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3, his live-action debut in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was underwhelming. Instead of the iconic purple armor and giant helmet from the comics, he was depicted as an indistinct cloud, lacked dialogue, and was seemingly defeated with ease by the Silver Surfer. This portrayal fell short of fans' expectations for Galactus' cinematic introduction.
However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises a different approach. The brief glimpse in the trailer, combined with a drone light show at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, suggests that the film will adhere closely to Jack Kirby's original design. Marvel Studios' decision to feature Galactus as the villain in their Fantastic Four reboot indicates their commitment to rectifying past mistakes. While other FF villains like Doctor Doom, potentially played by Robert Downey, Jr., may be reserved for future MCU projects like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, this allows the focus to be squarely on delivering a faithful adaptation of Galactus.
This move is crucial for the MCU, which has faced recent struggles during the Multiverse Saga. With many villains already used, Galactus stands out as a major Marvel antagonist capable of revitalizing the franchise. A successful Galactus portrayal could rejuvenate the MCU's reputation and build excitement for the upcoming Avengers films, where the Fantastic Four are expected to play major figures.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
When the Fantastic Four were sidelined due to the Fox-Marvel rights dispute, fans expressed more interest in seeing their iconic villains, including Doctor Doom, Annihilus, and Galactus, than the team itself. Now, with the FF back in the spotlight, and the acclaimed run by Ryan North in the comics, there's renewed excitement. Galactus and the FF's rogues gallery could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU post-Multiverse Saga.
Galactus is undeniably one of the most compelling characters linked to the Fantastic Four, and it's high time he receives the live-action treatment he deserves. As we approach the July 2025 release, the trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps suggests that Marvel is taking confident strides in the right direction.
