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Galactus does look pretty small in the teaser trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but this is not his ultimate form, and one previous MCU movie has already shown just how terrifying the planet-eater will be. Ralph Ineson was confirmed to be joining the cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps as the cosmic being, Galactus, in May 2024. Audiences got a first look at Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ first teaser trailer, but there has been some confusion about why the so-called Devourer of Worlds is so small in the footage.
Galactus was first introduced to Marvel Comics in 1966’s Fantastic Four #48, where he was revealed to be a formidable cosmic being who travels round the universe with Heralds, such as the Silver Surfer, who look for suitable planets that Galactus can consume to sustain himself. By putting Earth in his sights, he comes to blows with the Fantastic Four, and this will form the foundations for the Fantastic Four’s MCU debut in July. However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ teaser didn’t make Galactus look very threatening, but this will certainly change when the movie hits theaters.
The Fantastic Four Trailer Made Galactus Look Smaller Than You Might Expect
Galactus Didn’t Look Very Frightening In The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Teaser Trailer
Released on February 4, The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ teaser trailer gave viewers their first glimpse of Galactus, but this has caused a stir. Galactus is supposed to be a massive cosmic being, but he looks pretty small in the teaser trailer, particularly in a scene that shows the back of his horned helmet while the planet-eater is looking at the Statue of Liberty. However, another moment that shows Galactus’ shadow looming over this alternate reality’s New York City and the character’s power-set in Marvel Comics makes us sure Galactus won’t stay this small.
Galactus Can Grow Much Bigger (& I’m Convinced He Will)
Galactus Can Change His Size In Marvel Comics
Galactus’ power-set in Marvel Comics is pretty remarkable. To sustain himself, Galactus must devour worlds that are capable of supporting life, and processing the energy created from this act allows him to utilize the Power Cosmic for many different purposes. As well as being able to imbue his Heralds with the Power Cosmic, or use it for telekinesis, telepathy, transmutation of matter, resurrecting the dead or any number of other purposes, Galactus can also use the Power Cosmic to change his size. This was first revealed in Marvel Comics back in 1982’s Rom #27.
Marvel Studios revealed Fantastic Four #48, Galactus’ first appearance in Marvel Comics, as inspiration for The Fantastic Four: First Steps alongside 1961’s Fantastic Four #1, 1966’s Fantastic Four #49 and #50, and 2021’s Fantastic Four: Life Story #1, which included a run-down of the Fantastic Four’s entire history.
Given his origins from before the beginning of the universe, Galactus’ true form cannot be perceived, but each species sees him in a form they can comprehend – so, humanoid for the humans on Earth. This means that Galactus’ true size is not entirely known. He can be big enough to consume planets in one bite, or small enough to enter a world’s atmosphere and walk upon the ground. This means it’s almost a certainty that Galactus will be both small and large in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Marvel Studios has already proven this will be effective.
Eternals Already Proved That Huge MCU Characters Can Work Better Than Gas Monsters
Eternals’ Celestials Are A Perfect Template For Galactus
Although polarizing, 2021’s Eternals included the perfect template for Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, thanks to its introduction of several giant Celestial characters. Most notably, Arishem was huge enough to loom over the Earth, contributing to some of Eternals‘ most exciting and cinematic moments. It would be brilliant to see Galactus introduced this large in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, as Marvel Studios used Eternals to prove that seeing giant humanoid figures in the cosmos is far more effective than how Galactus was previously adapted.
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2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer marked Galactus’ live-action debut, but 20th Century Fox transformed the humanoid antagonist into a cosmic cloud of gas that threatened to swallow Earth. Fox wanted Galactus to remain discreet, but this seemed inconsequential when the Fantastic Four’s own power-set is completely fantastical and ridiculous. The first teaser for The Fantastic Four: First Steps proves that Marvel Studios will finally be doing Galactus justice in live-action, and this could be reminiscent of some of Eternals’ best moments, which spells good news for the terrifying planet-eater.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date
July 25, 2025
Director
Matt Shakman
Writers
Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee
Producers
Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Tim Lewis
Franchise(s)
Upcoming MCU Movies
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