Attention all Marvel fans! The much-anticipated first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has finally landed, giving us our inaugural glimpse of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach stepping into the iconic roles of Marvel's First Family. The trailer not only introduces us to their robot companion, HERBIE, but also showcases a unique retro-futurism-inspired art design that sets this film apart from the rest of the MCU. As we eagerly await its release on July 25, 2025, one character towers above them all in presence and anticipation—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, the spotlight firmly shines on Galactus, whose depiction promises to be more faithful to the comics than his previous cinematic outing in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems poised to finally do justice to 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 began as Galan, a mortal from the universe preceding ours. Surviving the cataclysmic Big Bang that birthed our universe, Galan merged with the sentience of his universe, emerging as Galactus—a colossal entity compelled to consume life-bearing planets to sustain his existence. His most renowned herald is the Silver Surfer, tasked with locating suitable planets for Galactus to devour.
In their first encounter, the Fantastic Four were alerted to Galactus' arrival by the Watcher, who broke his vow of non-interference to save Earth. Despite their efforts to stop the Silver Surfer, Galactus arrived to consume the planet. The Human Torch ventured into Galactus' worldship, Taa II, to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier—the only weapon capable of threatening the devourer. When Mr. Fantastic wielded it against Galactus, he was forced to spare Earth, though he exiled the Silver Surfer for his betrayal.
Since then, Galactus has remained a pivotal figure in the Marvel universe, frequently clashing with the Fantastic Four and other heroes like Thor. Despite his necessity to consume planets, Galactus is more morally ambiguous than outright evil, adding depth to his character. However, his cinematic portrayal has yet to capture the essence fans adore from the comics—until now.
The Second Coming of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Galactus has graced various media like cartoons and video games, notably the '90s Fantastic Four series and Marvel vs. Capcom 3. His only prior film appearance was in Tim Story's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), which disappointed fans with a simplified, non-speaking cloud version of the character. This departure from his iconic purple armor and grand helmet was a far cry from what fans expected.
However, the glimpse we've seen in the trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, coupled with a drone light show at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, suggests a return to Jack Kirby's classic design. Marvel's decision to feature Galactus as the primary antagonist in their Fantastic Four reboot is telling. With a plethora of FF baddies to choose from, and whispers that Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom might be reserved for future Avengers films, this choice reflects Marvel's commitment to rectifying past cinematic missteps with Galactus.
This move is crucial, especially amid the MCU's recent struggles within the Multiverse Saga. With numerous films and villains they've burned through, Galactus stands out as one of the few remaining Marvel villains capable of revitalizing the franchise. A successful adaptation of Galactus could not only enhance the MCU's reputation but also fuel excitement for the upcoming major figures in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
During the time when the Fantastic Four were in exile due to the Fox-Marvel feud over film rights, fans expressed a greater interest in seeing the FF's rogues gallery, including Doctor Doom, Annihilus, and Galactus, in the MCU. Now, with the Fantastic Four's return, the excitement around their stories and characters like Galactus could be the key to reinvigorating the MCU post-Multiverse Saga. Ryan North's current run on the comics is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Fantastic Four.
Galactus is undeniably one of the most compelling characters associated with the Fantastic Four, and it's high time he receives the cinematic justice he deserves. As we approach the premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, the trailer indicates that Marvel is taking promising steps in the right direction.
