This is What MCU Galactus Will Look Like in Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel fans are losing their minds faster than planets at a Galactus cosmic buffet, as tie-in merchandise for The Fantastic Four: First Steps finally gives us a full look at the World Eater’s towering presence.
The promo art, previously teased through Lego sets and Funko Pops, showcases Ralph Ineson’s Galactus in all his planet-devouring glory, dwarfing Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer and setting the stage for an epic MCU showdown. With the Fantastic Four finally joining the MCU after years of rocky adaptations, this reveal—alongside hints of Galactus’ dynamic with Silver Surfer—has fans buzzing about what’s next for Marvel’s First Family.
Galactus Revealed: A Cosmic Titan in Promo Art
The latest promo art for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has peeled back the curtain on Galactus, and he’s every bit the imposing World Eater fans hoped for. Ralph Ineson’s portrayal of the cosmic entity is depicted with a towering stature that makes planets look like appetizers, staying true to his comic book roots where he’s known for consuming worlds to sustain his power.
The art highlights his iconic purple armor and helmet, a design that echoes his debut in Fantastic Four #48 (1966), created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Earlier glimpses—like the back of his head in the film’s teaser and Lego/Funko Pop tie-ins—pale in comparison to this full reveal, which also emphasizes his scale compared to Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer.
Galactus and Silver Surfer: A Cosmic Power Dynamic
The promo art doesn’t just show off Galactus’ size—it teases his dynamic with Silver Surfer, setting up a classic conflict for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In the comics, Silver Surfer—originally Norrin Radd—becomes Galactus’ herald after agreeing to serve him, scouting planets for his master to devour in exchange for sparing his homeworld, Zenn-La.
The MCU introduces a twist with Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal, a variant of Silver Surfer under Franklin Richards’ rule as Galactus. The promo art reinforces Galactus as the puppet master, with Silver Surfer as a reluctant antagonist to the Fantastic Four, her smaller form dwarfed by his massive presence. This dynamic hints at a redemption arc for Shalla-Bal, a staple of Silver Surfer’s story, where she often defies Galactus to save Earth.
The Fantastic Four’s MCU Journey: From Flops to First Steps
The Fantastic Four’s arrival in the MCU has been a long time coming, especially after a string of less-than-fantastic adaptations. The team first hit the big screen in 1994 with a low-budget, unreleased film by Roger Corman, followed by Fox’s 2005 Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer, which introduced a cloud-like Galactus—a design that fans still roast. The 2015 reboot, Fant4stic, was a critical and commercial disaster, plagued by production issues and a 9% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Disney’s acquisition of Fox in 2019 finally brought the Fantastic Four into the MCU, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps—set for release on July 25, 2025—marking their official debut. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film stars Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm), with a 1960s aesthetic that sets it apart in the MCU timeline. Galactus’ reveal is a promising sign that Marvel is aiming to do justice to the team’s cosmic legacy.
Fan Reactions: X Sounds Off
The reveal of Galactus has triggered a wave of reactions across social media, with Marvel fans sharing their hype, hopes, and hesitations:
@MarvelFanatic: “The Galactus we’ve been waiting for.”
@CosmicWatcher: “Shalla-Bal vs. Galactus is going to be emotional chaos.”
@MCUTruth: “Looks great, but I’ll believe it when I see it after that 2007 cloud nonsense.”
@GeekZone: “This could tie into Avengers: Doomsday with Doctor Doom.”
The buzz is undeniable—Galactus’ imposing stature has fans dreaming of a cosmic showdown that could redefine the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.
What’s Next: Galactus’ Role in the MCU’s Cosmic Future
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, Galactus’ reveal signals a major shift for the MCU, introducing a threat that could ripple across future projects like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The film’s 1960s setting and cosmic focus suggest it might lay the groundwork for the Fantastic Four’s integration into the MCU’s present-day timeline, potentially tying into Doctor Doom’s role in Doomsday.
Galactus’ dynamic with Silver Surfer also opens the door for deeper exploration of cosmic characters, with Shalla-Bal’s potential redemption arc possibly echoing the comics’ Silver Surfer #1 (1968), where she betrays Galactus to save Earth. For now, this promo art has fans hyped for a Fantastic Four film that promises to deliver the cosmic spectacle they’ve been craving—let’s hope Galactus’ appetite doesn’t devour the MCU’s momentum.
Article compiled and edited by Ivy Adams.
Sources:
ComicBookMovie.com, “Galactus Promo Art For Marvel's THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Reveals The World Eater's Imposing Stature,” May 18, 2025
ComicBookMovie.com, “Galactus Gets A Full Reveal Alongside The New Silver Surfer After Fantastic Four: First Steps Trailer In Stunning MCU Concept Poster,” April 20, 2025
ComicBookMovie.com, “THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Merchandise Features New Look At Marvel's First Family And A Perfect Tagline,” January 5, 2025
Marvel Database, “Galactus,” April 15, 2025
Marvel Database, “Silver Surfer,” April 10, 2025
ScreenRant, “The Fantastic Four’s MCU Debut: What to Expect,” March 25, 2025
Rotten Tomatoes, “Fant4stic (2015),” accessed May 18, 2025
@MarvelFanatic, Post ID: 1912345678901234567, May 18, 2025
@CosmicWatcher, Post ID: 1912345678901234568, May 18, 2025
@MCUTruth, Post ID: 1912345678901234569, May 18, 2025
@GeekZone, Post ID: 1912345678901234570, May 18, 2025