Marvel Studios has unveiled a thrilling new teaser for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, featuring the most striking glimpse yet of Galactus, the towering cosmic entity set to dominate the film. The teaser showcases a breathtaking image of Galactus looming over a retro-futuristic 1960s New York City, emphasizing his colossal size as he dwarfs skyscrapers and embodies the planet-devouring menace that has made him a legendary antagonist in Marvel Comics since his debut in Fantastic Four #48 in 1966.
The depiction highlights Marvel Studios’ commitment to a comics-accurate portrayal of Galactus, moving away from the abstract cloud-like form seen in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Instead, this iteration showcases a towering, humanoid figure, radiating an ancient, god-like authority. The scene, set against a vibrant 1960s-inspired backdrop, features Galactus striding through New York, his immense scale underscored by the city’s iconic skyline appearing diminutive in comparison.
Marvel Studios has crafted the character to feel like a force of nature, with director Matt Shakman describing him (via Empire) as a “humongous, 14-billion-year-old, planet-devouring cosmic vampire.” This visual approach ensures Galactus is not just a villain but a cosmic phenomenon, central to the film’s narrative of the Fantastic Four defending Earth from an existential threat.
To prepare for the role, actor Ralph Ineson, known for his commanding performances in films like The Green Knight and Nosferatu, immersed himself in the mindset of a being of incomprehensible scale. In an interview with Empire, Ineson shared, “I also went to a lot of tall buildings. We went to a wedding at the top of the Gherkin building in London, and I spent most of the afternoon just staring out, ruminating. I got in trouble with my wife — she was like, ‘You’ve got to say hello to the bride and groom at some point!’” His preparation reflects a thoughtful approach to capturing Galactus’ detached, almost serene perspective as a cosmic entity driven by hunger rather than malice.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family, led by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. The ensemble cast also includes Julia Garner as the enigmatic Silver Surfer, Galactus’ herald, alongside Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Mark Gatiss in supporting roles. Directed by Matt Shakman, known for WandaVision, the film blends practical effects with a retro-futuristic aesthetic inspired by mid-century sci-fi, setting it apart from typical Marvel Cinematic Universe fare. The production, filmed between July and November 2024 in England and Spain, emphasizes practical sets to ground its cosmic spectacle.
The film is poised to explore the Fantastic Four’s struggle to balance their heroic duties with their family bonds as they confront Galactus’ world-consuming threat. With its focus on a comics-accurate Galactus, whose size and power are now vividly showcased, The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises to deliver a visually and narratively ambitious addition to the MCU. Here is the official description of the film:
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel's First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing—as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus' plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren't bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, inviting audiences to witness the colossal scale of Galactus and the heroism of Marvel’s First Family.
