Galactus Destroys a Planet in Explosive New Look at ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’

The upcoming film The Fantastic Four: First Steps is bringing one of Marvel’s biggest cosmic threats to life with Ralph Ineson playing Galactus, the planet-devouring giant. This new movie, set to release in July 2025, is part of the MCU and marks the second reboot of the Fantastic Four series.

Ralph Ineson’s Galactus is no ordinary villain. The director, Matt Shakman, described him as a “humongous, 14-billion-year-old, planet-devouring cosmic vampire,” and a new look at the villain destroying a planet confirms both that and that he will be accurately portrayed:

But Ineson doesn’t see Galactus as evil. He called the character a “god of sorts” and a “big, planet-eating guy, simply doing what a big, planet-eating guy does.” To prepare for the role, Ineson spent time reflecting quietly on rooftops, trying to capture the presence of such a powerful being.

The filmmakers aimed for a comic book-accurate design for Galactus, unlike the more cloud-like version seen in Rise of the Silver Surfer. The character’s purple and blue armor was even made for Ineson to wear during filming because the director wanted someone to fully embody Galactus’s massive presence.

The film takes place in a retro-futuristic version of Earth inspired by the 1960s. Here, the Fantastic Four team, played by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, faces the threat of Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer. The movie avoids retelling the team’s origin story and instead focuses on their mission to protect their world.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has long been excited about bringing the Fantastic Four into the MCU with the respect and scale they deserve. He was particularly eager to include Galactus, a character he loved from the comics.

To get the look and feel right, Feige shared references from the popular video game Fortnite Battle Royale, which featured Galactus in a memorable event.

Filming for The Fantastic Four: First Steps took place from July to November 2024 in England and Spain, with a strong emphasis on practical effects and retro style. The movie’s look was inspired by classic films and mid-century modern design, giving it a unique feel compared to other Marvel movies.

As Galactus looms over the story as the ultimate cosmic threat, Ralph Ineson’s portrayal will hopefully bring depth and power to this iconic villain. Ineson’s approach and the careful design choices make Galactus feel both terrifying and strangely natural, fitting for a being that has existed for billions of years and simply follows its nature.

With the film coming soon, fans are eager to see how this massive, planet-eating character will challenge the Fantastic Four and how Ineson’s performance will bring the cosmic giant to life on the big screen.

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