Galactus is due to debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
, but I think the character could have a much larger role ahead of him. Galactus has been lurking around the Marvel Universe nearly as long as The Fantastic Four themselves. The character is a monstrous giant who literally consumes entire planets, which has earned him the title of Devourer of Worlds. However, with the villain set to appear in the upcoming FF movie, it feels like the character could have a larger purpose.
This is also validated by the expansive and long-term work that goes into making the MCU into the rich, interconnected universe that it is. And I think that the appearance of Galactus so early in the story of Marvel’s First Family suggests that his character may have an unexpected arc in this movie, and the remainder of the Multiverse Saga. Beyond that, who knows how the character will be utilized, but at least for his early outings, it makes sense to use him in an unconventional way.
Having The MCU’s Heroes Actually Beat Galactus This Early Into His Story Seems Unlikely
Galactus Should Not Be A Pushover In The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Villains in the MCU have occasionally been hit or miss. While there was a lot of build-up towards characters like Thanos, and others like Loki had an incredible narrative arc, there have been plenty that are underwhelming or disappointing. But when it comes to Galactus, the literal Devourer of Worlds, the MCU needs to ensure this character isn’t just made into story fodder to establish The Fantastic Four as some ridiculously powerful team. There’s no denying that they are a great team, especially when they have experience behind them, but Galactus is not some simple Earth-bound antagonist.
Related
Do you think Marvel is rushing the next two Avengers movies?
Anthony Mackie recently confirmed that the next two Avengers movies, Doomsday and Secret Wars, are on track to begin filming this summer in London, keeping them on track to make their 2026 and 2027 release dates. That being said, I’ve noticed some pointing out that the studio is moving too fast to get to the next two crossover events, and I honestly couldn’t agree more. As of this point, we still don’t have an official roster of whom the current Avengers are after Endgame, and given how scattershot the current output of Marvel Cinematic Universe releases are, I wish they would pause their Avengers plans and lay some better groundwork before closing out The Multiverse Saga.
Galactus has fought some of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, and often, he wins. Since this is only his first outing in the MCU, it makes sense to establish the character and hopefully bring him back again, but it should not present him as a weakling who is easily overpowered. Instead, if The Fantastic Four choose to flee from him during the course of the movie, that would make more sense, but an even better option is right there for the taking.
Galactus Could End Up Being On The Same Side As The MCU’s Heroes For Avengers: Secret Wars
Galactus Could Have An Enemy In Common With The Fantastic Four
Galactus is one of the most powerful characters ever to appear in the MCU. He is capable of taking down countless heroes, and he is classed as an Omega-level character. There are very few characters who could conceivably take him down. However, if The Fantastic Four find their mission aligned with Galactus, there is a chance that both the heroes and this behemoth could join forces to take down an even greater threat. And with Doctor Doom set to be the main antagonist in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, it seems like there is just such a threat.
If Doom presents a threat to not just Earth, but potentially countless worlds around the Multiverse, that severely impacts the food supply for Galactus, whose insatiable hunger forces him to seek out planets to consume. It is likely that Galactus does not want Doom to succeed, and since Reed Richards and the gang will certainly be opposing Doom’s evil plans as well, then they could potentially be forced to team up with Galactus for the greater good. And this alignment is already founded in comic book stories too.
Marvel’s Avengers: Secret Wars Comics Make The Galactus Theory More Possible
The History In Marvel Comics Backs Up The Idea Of Galactus Going Against Doom
The original Secret Wars comics from the 1980s saw Galactus approach the Beyonder in the hopes of removing his intense, endless hunger. However, he is foiled by Doctor Doom, and the pair begin an intense rivalry. Galactus may not be a fan of Marvel’s First Family, but he is a survivor, and someone who recognizes the greater threat that Doctor Doom presents. So it makes perfect sense for Galactus to align himself with the heroes, and turn his attention to saving the Multiverse instead of simply consuming Earth and moving on.
Related
Do you like the “Battleworld” idea for MCU movies released between Avengers 5 & 6?
Some have theorized that MCU movies released between Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will take place on Battleworld, the mash-up universe of different realities created by Doctor Doom in 2015’s Secret Wars comic when the multiverse fell apart. This would include movies like Spider-Man 4 and other yet-to-be-revealed MCU titles which could all deal with the fallout of of Doomsday, while also setting up Secret Wars. I’m certainly not opposed to this idea, and it could be a cool way for those in-between movies to have some seriously exciting weight ahead of the Multiverse Saga’s final movie.
While he may not want to join forces with heroes like Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, even he has to acknowledge that these heroes could play a pivotal role in taking down Doctor Doom, and stopping countless worlds from being destroyed. With all of this in mind, it seems entirely possible that Galactus will not only survive The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but he could play a major part in helping to save the Multiverse in Avengers: Secret Wars.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
- Director
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Matt Shakman
- Producers
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Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Tim Lewis
-
Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
-
Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman
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Johnny Storm / Human Torch
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Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm / The Thing
