Galactus’ MCU Debut Will Make Us Even More Desperate For The Sequel Marvel Is Ignoring

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Marvel Studios is set to introduce the cosmic entity, Galactus, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” This planet-consuming character may leave audiences eagerly anticipating a sequel to a Phase 4 film. Since his debut in comics back in 1966, Galactus has earned a significant place among Marvel Comics’ iconic characters, neither hero nor villain, but rather a being that traverses the universe seeking worlds to consume for sustenance, accompanied by his Heralds. In the year 2025, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” will depict Galactus targeting an alternate reality’s Earth as his next meal.

Titled “The Fantastic Four: Initial Strides,” this upcoming series is set to introduce Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as a fresh take on Marvel’s iconic team, the First Family. In their vibrant 1960s-inspired, futuristic world, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm are already renowned heroes. The appearance of Galactus (Ralph Ineson) along with his companions, Silver Surfer and Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), will mark the introduction of their most formidable and relentless foe to date. Though Galactus is not the first colossal cosmic entity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, his entrance promises to reignite our desire for the return of the franchise’s original cosmic antagonists.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Will Remind Us How Well the MCU Handles Massive Cosmic Characters

In both Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Galactus possesses the unique ability to alter his size. This implies that he can shrink himself to stroll across Earth’s surface, as depicted in previews for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“. However, when Galactus is traversing the universe, he typically assumes a colossal form – a heavily armored, humanoid figure large enough to effortlessly devour planets. Marvel Studios has effectively demonstrated how visually stunning and spectacular such enormous beings can appear on screen.

In “Thor: The Dark World,” we were first introduced to the Celestials through a post-credits scene where Lady Sif and Volstagg visited the Collector in Knowhere. Since then, films like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” and “Captain America: Brave New World” have delved deeper into these cosmic beings. However, among all these productions, it was 2021’s “Eternals” that focused on the Celestials more than any other. Despite being a divisive film during its Phase 4 release, the way it portrayed and expanded upon the Celestials earned high praise.

In Marvel Comics, Galactus is not considered a Celestial, and it’s unlikely that he will be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) either, despite some speculation suggesting a connection. However, Galactus shares a comparable size with the Celestials, as demonstrated by Marvel’s portrayal of characters like Arishem, Tiamut, and others. This scale, coupled with their imposing presence and authority, indicates that Galactus will receive an appropriate treatment in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The return of such a cosmic character in the MCU is bound to generate anticipation for a potential sequel to the best Marvel movie featuring the Celestials, even though no confirmation has been made yet.

Eternals 2 Would Be the Best Place For Marvel to Further Develop the MCU’s Celestials

In the directorial debut of Chloé Zhao within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the film Eternals deviated significantly from conventional Marvel movie structures, leading to it being one of the franchise’s most contentious projects. Some viewers criticized its hastily structured plot and underdeveloped characters amidst increasing complaints about “superhero fatigue.” The varied reception towards Eternals led Marvel Studios to abandon any plans for a potential sequel, despite numerous unresolved plot points and the characters deserving further exploration within the MCU.

Over the past few months, the movie Eternals has been receiving a great deal of renewed appreciation and acclaim, with many reconsidering their initial negative opinions. In an interview with Inverse in 2024, Kevin Feige hinted that there are currently no plans for an Eternals 2 sequel. However, the appearance of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps could potentially spark interest in a second installment of Chloé Zhao’s MCU debut. With Galactus’ massive presence, it would be enticing to see the return of the Celestials in the MCU, and an Eternals 2 film could provide the ideal setting for this to occur.

Title sequel to “Eternals” might lead us back into the MCU’s history, potentially uncovering the origins of the Celestials and shedding light on their true abilities. It would be thrilling if these characters reappear in the MCU at some point during or after Phase 6, possibly in “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”. Until that time, Galactus will remain the only colossal cosmic entity visible within the MCU, serving as a significant menace for the Fantastic Four in the upcoming film “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

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2025-07-10 19:10