How the MCU Can Present Galactus’ Victory Over Thanos While Preserving The Fantastic Four

Excitement is building for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, as the film prepares to introduce a powerful new villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – Galactus. Under the direction of Matt Shakman, this iteration not only brings the iconic superhero team and the Silver Surfer to the forefront but also reimagines Galactus as a formidable antagonist, potentially surpassing Thanos in menace. Portrayed by Ralph Ineson, Galan of Taa, known as Galactus, may live up to his title as the Devourer of Worlds by targeting the Fantastic Four’s alternate-reality Earth.

Traditionally in comic lore, the Fantastic Four have repeatedly obstructed Galactus’ plans to consume Earth. Their methods range from negotiations to employing the formidable Ultimate Nullifier, or even stalling his inevitable arrival. Despite his defeats at the hands of powerful beings like Franklin Richards and Doctor Doom, Galactus remains a nearly insurmountable threat. This ominous nature of Galactus could spell trouble for the new cosmic narrative unfolding in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Revitalizing Galactus: The Fantastic Four’s Redemption Arc

A Faithful Depiction: MCU’s Galactus vs. Fox’s Previous Iteration

Galactus attacking Earth in Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer

The first attempt to bring the Fantastic Four to the silver screen by Fox reached new heights in its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Although Doug Jones’ portrayal of the Silver Surfer, accompanied by Laurence Fishburne’s voice work, emerged as a highlight, the depiction of Galactus was met with disappointment. Instead of the towering cosmic villain fans expected, he was presented as a nebulous cosmic cloud rather than an anthropomorphic threat, diluting his impact.

However, the casting of Ralph Ineson as Galactus in the MCU marks a significant shift. In this adaptation, Galactus will likely possess a human-like voice and manifest as a colossal being adorned in a Celestial-inspired suit, complete with his iconic horned helmet. This presentation allows him to be more than just an elemental force; he can have depth and complexity, akin to popular MCU villains like Loki, Ultron, and Thanos.

The Impact of Setting: How The Fantastic Four’s Environment Shapes Galactus

Galactus Could Ravage a Fresh Universe in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

A crucial change in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is how the team’s origin story is being reimagined. Unlike their introduction in the larger MCU timeline alongside the Avengers, this version presents the Fantastic Four as a pre-established team from an alternate universe. Drawing heavily from the ethos of the 1960s, this new universe allows for significant destruction without reverberating through the main MCU’s established narrative arcs. Galactus could emerge as the catalyst for this destruction.

Adapting Galactus for live-action poses challenges, particularly regarding his nature as an almost omnipotent entity. However, in this alternate timeline, there is a strong possibility that he could succeed in consuming the Earth, resulting in the Fantastic Four becoming stranded in space and prompting their search for a new universe. In the comics, this scenario is reminiscent of the Future Foundation’s creation of a Life Raft that ensures survival amid multiversal collapses.

The Case for a Somber Conclusion for The Fantastic Four

A Somber Ending Could Honor Galactus’s Legacy

Comic book art: Thanos from the MCU with the Fantastic Four from Marvel Comics.

Introducing the Fantastic Four in a divergent timeline might disillusion some fans, but in the context of the Multiverse Saga, this could work to the advantage of Galactus, one of Marvel’s most iconic villains. The conclusion of The Fantastic Four: First Steps could finally allow Galactus to fulfill his essential role in the Marvel narrative — a feat nearly impossible in previous live-action interpretations. Moreover, a defeat at the hands of Galactus would propel the Fantastic Four towards exploring the multiverse, setting the stage for their future roles in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

In the 2015 comic storyline Secret Wars, Galactus serves Franklin Richards after the reality-seeking manipulations of God Emperor Doom, establishing a nuanced relationship showing Galactus’s complexity. Josh Brolin’s Thanos has left a challenging bar for future MCU villains after the events of Infinity War and Endgame. While Kang the Conqueror was poised to elevate the stakes, he underwhelmed in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Should the Fantastic Four falter against Galactus, they could replicate Thanos’ triumph, reinforcing Galactus’ role as an even more substantial threat in Earth-616.

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