I Genuinely Think Galactus Will Only Be The Second Most Powerful Character Introduced In The MCU"s Fantastic Four

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Galactus is one of Marvel's most powerful characters, but I'd wager his power levels will be secondary to another in the MCU's upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps. The MCU will finally debut its version of Marvel's First Family on July 25, 2025, where they will appear alongside the iconic Marvel villain, Galactus, as portrayed by Ralph Ineson. This will be Galactus' second appearance in a live-action movie adaptation, putting pressure on Marvel to improve upon the widely lambasted version depicted 17 years ago in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
In that regard, things are looking positive for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. An early look at its main characters revealed Galactus' gargantuan eyes as he peers through a window, establishing that he will, at least, be composed of solid matter. Given Marvel's track record, this is likely to extend to a comic-accurate costume and power set, which will make him one of the most powerful villains ever introduced in the MCU. Nevertheless, early signs suggest that Galactus will not be the most powerful character in the movie.
Galactus Is A Very Powerful MCU Character - But Not The Most Powerful The MCU Has Already Introduced Several More Powerful Characters Close Galactus is a cosmic behemoth whose entire MO is to devour planets to satiate his hunger. His size alone is formidable enough, but he also boasts a godlike power (dubbed the Power Cosmic) fueled by the planets he consumes that affords him vast energy manipulation capabilities and even control over life itself. Presuming the MCU will debut a Galactus with a similar power set to those of the comics, this means Marvel is about to add to its list of most powerful MCU villains - but he won't come in at the top.
Galactus imbues the Silver Surfer with some of the Power Cosmic, making even his herald one of the most powerful characters in Marvel Comics.
An Infinity Gauntlet-wielding Thanos, for instance, remains one of the MCU's most formidable forces to be reckoned with by having a near-omnipotent power level. The MCU has yet to display the full scale of the powers boasted by other cosmic beings like the Celestials, though they would presumably be able to give Galactus a run for his money, while Infinity's apparently omnipotent wish-granting abilities could will Galactus out of existence. Loki, meanwhile, needs only to release the timeline in which Galactus is housed to decimate the villain.
How The MCU Franklin Richards Could Be Stronger Than Galactus Franklin Richards Can Manipulate Reality Itself Close Rumors suggest that Sue and Reed Richards' son, Franklin Richards, will debut alongside his parents in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This is supported by the fact that Pedro Pascal is portraying an older Reed and that he and Vanessa Kirby's Sue are already married in the movie. Furthermore, set photos have revealed Sue to be holding a baby, which either suggests that it is Franklin or Franklin's younger sister, Valeria. Given Franklin and Valeria play central roles in 2015's "Secret Wars" run of comics, this would also stand to reason.

Related The MCU's Fantastic Four Villain: Galactus Powers & Comic History Explained Galactus is officially confirmed to be the main antagonist of the Fantastic Four, so here"s a rundown of the powers and comic history of the villain.
Franklin Richards is one of Marvel's most powerful characters with immense reality-warping abilities. He is able to alter reality on a molecular level, even creating pocket universes with his mind alone, while also boasting telepathy and telekinetic powers similar to those of Professor X and his sister, Cassandra Nova. His universe-altering capabilities provide the MCU with a significant MacGuffin ready to deploy for just about any eventuality within the Multiverse Saga, making him of paramount importance to the narrative in a way that significantly sidelines the world-swallowing Galactus.
The MCU's Multiverse Saga Story Already Sets Up A Perfect Use Of Franklin Richards' Powers Incursions Necessitate Franklin's Intervention Close In Marvel Comics, Franklin Richards' universe-creating abilities play a central role in reforming the multiverse after its destruction in "Secret Wars." With incursions already well underway within the MCU - the most recent example occurring at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - the Multiverse Saga is barreling towards a state of affairs in which Franklin's powers will be required. This could go so far as to make Franklin - as is the case in Marvel Comics - the creator of a new universe to house the MCU's rumored soft reboot.
If that is the case, it is no surprise that Marvel might be keeping his arrival under wraps for now. Franklin's presence practically makes the future of the MCU a foregone conclusion, with his immense power set dwarfing the likes of Sentry ahead of his debut in Thunderbolts*. As it stands, if Franklin Richards does debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, then it may be for the best that the Fantastic Four's MCU debut introduces one of the most powerful villains.

The Fantastic Four (2025) Not Yet Rated Marvel's Fantastic Four is the first MCU movie to feature Marvel's First Family in the same live-action universe as the Avengers. It introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, and precedes Phase 6's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Director Matt Shakman Release Date July 25, 2025 Studio(s) Marvel Studios Writers Josh Friedman , Jeff Kaplan , Ian Springer Cast Pedro Pascal , Vanessa Kirby , Ebon Moss-Bachrach , Joseph Quinn , Ralph Ineson , Paul Walter Hauser , Natasha Lyonne , John Malkovich , Julia Garner Upcoming MCU Movies