"Galactus Returns in Fantastic Four: First Steps, Signaling Major Marvel Developments"

Attention all Marvel fans! The much-anticipated first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has finally landed, giving us our initial glimpse of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach stepping into the roles of Marvel's iconic First Family. Alongside them, we're introduced to their robot companion HERBIE and treated to a visual feast of retro-futurism-inspired art design. This trailer sets a unique tone, distinctly different from other MCU projects, and has us eagerly awaiting the film's release on July 25, 2025. However, the character that truly captures our attention is none other than Galactus, the devourer of worlds.

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While we only catch a fleeting glimpse of him, Galactus appears to be much closer to his comic book counterpart than in the previous attempt seen 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 before ours. Surviving the Big Bang by merging with his universe's sentience, he was reborn as Galactus, a colossal entity who roams the cosmos, consuming life-bearing planets to sustain himself. Over time, he employed various heralds, the most renowned being the Silver Surfer, to locate suitable planets.

In his first encounter with the Fantastic Four, the team was alerted to Galactus' arrival by the Watcher, who broke his non-interference oath to save Earth. Despite their efforts to stop the Silver Surfer, Galactus arrived to consume the planet. The Fantastic Four managed to turn the Surfer against his master, and the Human Torch ventured into Galactus' worldship, Taa II, to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier. With this weapon, Mr. Fantastic forced Galactus to spare Earth, though the Silver Surfer was exiled as punishment.

Galactus has since become a pivotal figure in the Marvel universe, clashing with the Fantastic Four and other heroes like Thor, revealing more of his backstory. He's not traditionally "evil" but rather a morally ambiguous entity driven by survival. Despite his significance, previous cinematic portrayals have fallen short, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises a more faithful adaptation.

The Second Coming of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Galactus has appeared in various media, including the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but his only prior film appearance was in Tim Story's 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. That portrayal, a cloud-like entity without the iconic purple armor and helmet, disappointed fans. However, the trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, along with a drone light show at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, suggests a return to Jack Kirby's classic design.

Choosing Galactus as the villain for the Fantastic Four reboot is a bold move, especially with plenty of FF baddies available. It indicates Marvel's intent to rectify past mistakes and deliver a satisfying portrayal. With Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom reportedly reserved for future Avengers films, the focus can be squarely on Galactus, offering him the MCU debut he deserves.

This is crucial given the MCU's recent struggles in the Multiverse Saga. With many villains they've burned through, Galactus stands out as a character with the potential to revitalize the franchise. A successful adaptation could boost excitement for the upcoming Avengers films, where the Fantastic Four are set to play major figures.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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During the time when the Fantastic Four were in exile due to the Fox-Marvel feud, fans expressed more interest in seeing the FF's rogues gallery, including Doctor Doom, Annihilus, and Galactus, in the MCU. Now, with the Fantastic Four back in the spotlight, and with Ryan North's current run on the comics receiving acclaim, there's renewed excitement. Galactus and other characters associated with the FF could be the key to rejuvenating the MCU post-Multiverse Saga.

Galactus is undoubtedly one of the most compelling characters linked to the Fantastic Four, and it's high time we see him in all his live-action glory. As we approach the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, the trailer suggests that Marvel is taking the right steps to bring this iconic villain to life.