Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer reveals Galactus, Silver Surfer and a tragic twist — is this Marvel's darkest story yet?

Economic Times

a day ago

AP The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer reveals The Thing's new look, a female Silver Surfer with a metallic voice, and teases Galactus. The Marvel Phase Six film sets up Avengers: Doomsday with key events like Franklin Richards' birth and Reed Richards' powers.
Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer reveals The Thing's rock beard and Silver Surfer's metallic voice in major MCU reveal- Marvel Studios has just dropped a fresh trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps , offering fans a much deeper look at the film that officially kicks off Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). From The Thing sporting a rocky beard to the eerie metallic voice of the Silver Surfer, the new footage raises several questions — and leaves some major reveals just out of reach.
The trailer, packed with new scenes, hints at a longer timeline than fans may have expected. We see Susan Storm before and after giving birth to Franklin Richards, suggesting the events of The Fantastic Four: First Steps span several months. While fans get exciting glimpses of Galactus and the core team in action, the most surprising details are hidden in the smaller moments — like Ben Grimm's beard and the Silver Surfer's voice.
Marvel fans get their first full look at Ralph Ineson as Galactus in Fantastic Four: First Steps , and he's as massive and menacing as fans had hoped. Towering over Earth in a comic-accurate design, his presence signals a true cosmic-level threat that could rival even Infinity War . The trailer also introduces Julia Garner's gender-swapped Silver Surfer, who delivers the spine-chilling line: 'Your planet has been marked for death.' The metallic tone of her voice and her sleek, otherworldly design are already sparking buzz across social media. Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Ebon Moss‑Bachrach (Ben Grimm) appear as a seasoned Fantastic Four, already a tight-knit unit. Set against a vibrant 1960s retro-futuristic backdrop, the trailer hints at major emotional stakes—especially when Sue subtly reveals they're expecting a baby. This turns the looming apocalypse into something deeply personal.
Forget the light-hearted Marvel formula—this trailer leans into tragedy and tension. The tone feels weighty and somber, reminiscent of the Galactus Trilogy from the comics, and echoes the emotional depth of Infinity War . It's a bold shift that promises more heartbreak and sacrifice than typical MCU fare.
We see glimpses of each hero's abilities: Mr. Fantastic's stretchy limbs, Sue Storm's elegant force fields, Johnny blazing through the sky, and the Thing's rocky form. But it's Ben Grimm's emotional depth—especially in his eyes—that stands out, hinting at a more humanized portrayal of the team's powerhouse.
Longtime fans will love the nods to Marvel lore: the sleek Fantasticar, the iconic Baxter Building, the Marvel‑1 rocket, and even H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot. The setting, designs, and soundtrack scream classic sci-fi with a fresh MCU twist. One of the most unexpected visuals in the new Fantastic Four trailer is The Thing — aka Ben Grimm — sporting a rocky beard. Until now, we've always seen the character clean-shaven in previous adaptations. The sudden appearance of facial "rock hair" raises plenty of questions: can The Thing actually grow a beard? If so, how? And why would he wait to grow it out now? Given that we see Human Torch (Johnny Storm) carrying The Thing mid-air — beard and all — it suggests this moment comes later in the movie, possibly in the third act. This supports fan theories that the movie spans a longer period rather than just a few chaotic days. Some viewers have even speculated whether this means there's a time jump midway through the film. The details are vague, but this unusual character detail has already started trending across fan forums and social media. The trailer also gives us a longer look — and listen — at the Silver Surfer. And yes, her voice. The Surfer is now portrayed with a female voice, and her lines have a chilling, metallic echo that perfectly suits her role as the harbinger of Galactus. While Marvel hasn't officially revealed the actress voicing the character, speculation is rampant online, with some fans guessing names like Gugu Mbatha-Raw or Tilda Swinton. The Surfer's line in the trailer—delivered with calm dread—announces Galactus' imminent arrival. This suggests she plays a key part in the final act, possibly arriving just before Earth faces its greatest threat yet. Marvel's decision to gender-flip the character has received mixed reactions, but most fans are intrigued by the fresh approach. We see more of Galactus in this trailer than before, but not enough to satisfy die-hard fans. His full face still hasn't been shown. We catch a glimpse of his massive chest and see him stomping around an alternate-history version of New York City, but his full design remains under wraps. This follows a familiar Marvel Studios playbook — teasing the villain while saving the big reveal for the theater. Some shots also appear to show Reed Richards (played by Pedro Pascal) sticking something into Galactus' leg, though the context isn't clear yet. It's also worth noting that Galactus seems to "awaken" during the trailer, meaning he may not be the immediate threat at the beginning of the film. Marvel seems to be holding this reveal back for a more dramatic moment. Pedro Pascal's version of Reed Richards brings something new to the table — including a moustache that has already stirred online debate. In the trailer, he stretches both his arms and legs, landing on a platform and attacking Galactus' leg. While it's not the most extensive look at his powers, it's enough to suggest he's in control of them and uses them strategically. Pascal's portrayal seems more grounded compared to past versions, focusing on leadership and problem-solving rather than flashy stunts. That said, fans are still waiting to see how far Marvel is willing to go with his elasticity powers. For now, the trailer only gives a tease. One of the biggest questions still hanging over the movie is whether Doctor Doom will show up. Director Matt Shakman recently addressed this in an interview but gave an awkwardly phrased answer that didn't entirely rule it out.
As of now, there is no official confirmation that Robert Downey Jr. will appear as Doctor Doom in The Fantastic Four: First Steps . However, given Marvel's track record of surprises, fans aren't convinced we've seen the last of him. What we do know is that the movie will directly set up Avengers: Doomsday , which hits theaters in December 2026.
If Doom isn't in First Steps , we may see him make his debut in Doomsday , possibly as a post-credits reveal or key antagonist. The inclusion of Sue Storm's pregnancy — and scenes showing her both before and after giving birth — is a strong hint that The Fantastic Four: First Steps unfolds over a long stretch of time. That's unusual for Marvel films, which often focus on events spanning days or weeks. The birth of Franklin Richards may also signal a larger role for the Richards family going forward. In the comics, Franklin is a powerful mutant with reality-warping powers. Introducing him early could be Marvel's way of laying the groundwork for future storylines that connect to the X-Men and multiverse arcs. A cosmic-level showdown that could determine Earth's fate, with Galactus poised to unleash destruction unless the team finds a way to stop him—possibly with a nod to the Ultimate Nullifier .
that could determine Earth's fate, with Galactus poised to unleash destruction unless the team finds a way to stop him—possibly with a nod to the . A darker, more emotional Marvel story that explores family, fear, and sacrifice on a deeply human level.
that explores family, fear, and sacrifice on a deeply human level. Strong multiverse connections, setting the stage for Avengers: Doomsday and bigger crossover events to come.
Q1: What's new about The Thing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer? He now has a rock beard, teasing a major timeline shift in the story.
Q2: Who is the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps? The Silver Surfer is female and speaks with a metallic voice in the latest trailer.