Marvel’s First Family Faces Their Greatest Threat Yet
Marvel Studios has unveiled a gripping new trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps, and it brings with it a fresh take on one of Marvel’s most iconic characters — the Silver Surfer, now portrayed by Julia Garner. In a franchise-defining twist, this version of the Silver Surfer heralds the arrival of Galactus, the cosmic entity known for devouring worlds, setting up what could be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most menacing villain yet.
Meet the New Fantastic Four
The film introduces fans to the latest incarnation of the beloved team: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). In First Steps, the team is portrayed as global celebrities following the mysterious space mission that gave them their powers — a nod to the original Fantastic Four origin story.
The trailer teases an exciting new direction for the group, spotlighting the emotional growth of the team with the upcoming birth of Reed and Sue’s child. This added familial dimension underscores the “First Steps” subtitle, both literally and figuratively.
Julia Garner Surfs in as the Silver Surfer
Perhaps the trailer’s biggest moment comes when Julia Garner’s mysterious, chrome-clad Silver Surfer arrives to warn Earth of its fate. Though she’s met with confusion and skepticism from the Fantastic Four, her foreboding presence implies that Reed Richards’ ongoing experiments with interdimensional travel may have attracted attention from beyond — namely, the attention of Galactus.
Garner’s casting is a bold move, and her transformation into the Silver Surfer represents a new take on a character previously portrayed by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This gender-swapped iteration signals Marvel’s intent to shake things up in Phase 6 of the MCU.
Galactus’ Arrival Teased
Though the cosmic devourer himself remains unseen, the trailer offers glimpses of his arrival — dark skies, massive silhouettes, and towering footsteps that echo through city streets. These clues suggest that Fantastic Four: First Steps will serve as a crucial stepping stone leading directly into Avengers: Doomsday, a multiversal epic already confirmed to feature the Fantastic Four in major roles.
Stretching Beyond the Ordinary
Audiences also get a quick look at how Reed Richards’ elastic powers have been realized for the big screen. While some fans online are already calling the visuals a bit “goofy,” they still appear more dynamic and convincing than previous iterations — and certainly more impressive than most of what we’ve seen from Thunderbolts so far.
With the film set to release on July 25, 2025, Fantastic Four: First Steps is poised to reshape Marvel’s storytelling landscape, with emotional depth, fresh faces, and the looming cosmic terror of Galactus on the horizon.