MCU's Newest Fantastic Four Update Makes A 2007 Marvel Movie Mistake Even Harder To Avoid Repeating

Marvel's latest update for The Fantastic Four: First Steps suggests the film could repeat a critical mistake from Fox's Fantastic Four films. MCU audiences have long awaited The Fantastic Four joining this universe as Marvel could finally deliver a great film with Marvel's First Family. While Tim Story's Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer have their fans, the movies didn't do well with critics and weren't massive hits with audiences. They still fared better than Josh Trank's 2015 reboot, which was an unmitigated disaster.

The MCU is The Fantastic Four's best shot at a great film, and there are many reasons to be optimistic. Matt Shakman is a talented director with a solid Marvel track record, and the film boasts an A-list cast with Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bacharach. An exciting addition to the cast is Ralph Ineson as Galactus, a villain whose MCU debut has been anticipated for a long time. It's unknown what Galactus' MCU future could be, but the latest plot synopsis for Fantastic Four: First Steps suggests Marvel could repeat a Fox mistake with this villain.

Fantastic Four's Plot Synopsis Makes It Harder To Avoid Fox's Original Live-Action Galactus Mistake

Marvel needs to treat Galactus differently than Fox

Fantastic Four: First Steps debuts in July 2025, so more information will be shared as the premiere date approaches. However, Marvel recently shared the first synopsis for the film, which includes more details about the plot. Galactus is confirmed as the main villain and will be accompanied by Julia Garner's Silver Surfer as his herald.

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.

It's exciting that Galactus will star as the film's central villain, but there is some concern with this synopsis. Galactus is one of the most powerful and famous villains in the MCU, and many viewers want to see him more involved in the MCU after Fantastic Four. If the team kills Galactus, he could be a one-off villain, similar to his appearance in Rise of the Silver Surfer. He's too powerful to be a one-off villain and Marvel needs to ensure there is a way to bring him back.

Why The MCU's Galactus Will Be Significantly Better Than Fox's

Marvel has a low bar to clear with Galactus

Fox's Galactus is one of the most disappointing interpretations of a Marvel character. The studio turned him into a giant planet-eating cloud, removing his iconic purple suit and intimidating giant stature. The controversial decision led to many angry comic book readers who had waited a long time to see Galactus in live-action. It also meant that Silver Surfer was a much more instrumental character to the film than Galactus, who was the main threat.

Fortunately, the MCU is going in a different direction, casting Ineson to play this character. Ineson, star of films like The Witch and The First Omen, has a booming voice that fits Galactus perfectly. He also has an intimidating presence that makes him frightening in many performances. It's good to see Marvel cast well for the role, but it's even better to see that Galactus will have a human form, rather than a cloud.

Galactus' form was teased during Marvel Studios' Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con over the summer, and featured the massive villain peeking through a window. He was so large, only his eye and part of his face was shown. This indicates that not only will he be in human form, but he'll be a comics-accurate size and pose a serious threat to The Fantastic Four. Galactus will loom over The Fantastic Four's planet and could be one of the most memorable villains in MCU history.

How Galactus Could Come Back Even If The Fantastic Four Kill Him

Galactus' MCU future may not be over after Fantastic Four

Even if Galactus is defeated in Fantastic Four: First Steps, it may not be his last MCU project. Marvel's Fantastic Four movie is set in an alternate universe, meaning another Galactus could exist in the MCU or be created later. There is also the possibility that another Galactus exists somewhere in the multiverse, and could be a problem in the story of Avengers: Secret Wars. Marvel has many possible ways of bringing him back, and the MCU, hopefully, will use him more than once.

Another reason Galactus could return is that the MCU may want to introduce a different version of Silver Surfer. Garner is reportedly playing Shalla-Bal, a female version separate from Norrin Radd, the version most viewers are familiar with. Radd could be a part of the MCU's future, but he needs to be accompanied by Galactus. Marvel's First Family have a tough fight ahead of them with Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and he could be a nuisance in the MCU for a while.