I’m very much looking forward to Galactus’s MCU debut this year, and I think his arrival leans into a theory that suggests Marvel Studios is about to combine 32 years of comic book history with Avengers: Secret Wars. Galactus is one of the most powerful enтιтies in Marvel Comics and a longstanding rival of the Fantastic Four, though his cataclysmic cosmic purpose has pitted him against many other Marvel Comics heroes. Galactus is most well-known as a devourer of worlds, a purpose that positions him as a force of nature more than an outright villain.

His arrival in 2025’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps could be one of the MCU’s most consequential due to this alone. What seems clear by his presence is that the world in which the Fantastic Four live (presumably in another universe) is in serious danger if Galactus is there to carry out his typical MO. He is such a consequential villain, in fact, that I hope his MCU tenure extends far beyond The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This is why I believe Galactus’ mere presence hints at how Avengers: Secret Wars is due to take shape.

The MCU’s Multiverse Saga Storyline Appeared To Suggest Avengers: Secret Wars Would Adapt The 2015 Comic Story Of The Same Name

Incursions Indicate That Avengers: Secret Wars Will Adapt The 2015 Run

Avengers: Secret Wars takes its name from one of two runs in Marvel Comics, both тιтled “Secret Wars.” From the evidence we’ve seen in the Multiverse Saga thus far, the prevailing theory is that Avengers: Secret Wars will adapt the 2015 run, penned by Jonathan Hickman. The biggest clue that this is the case pertains to incursions and the central role they have played in the Multiverse Saga thus far. Incursions were fleshed out in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as universe-ending events that occur in the MCU as a result of multiversal travel.

In the words of Earth-838’s Reed Richards, “An incursion occurs when the boundary between two universes erodes…and they collide, destroying one…or both… entirely.” This is similar to the incursions that occur in Marvel Comics, which are brought about as the boundaries of realities expand, causing them to collide and die. These are a cornerstone feature of the 2015 run, occurring in the lead-up to “Secret Wars” and Doctor Doom’s creation of Battleworld.

Furthermore, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps releasing so close to the Multiverse Saga’s climax, the main players of “Secret Wars” are also being firmly established. The promise that Star-Lord will return at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also hints at his central role in the comic being adapted for the big screen. Meanwhile, rumors of a soft reboot for the MCU suggest that it will imitate the conclusion to “Secret Wars.” Nevertheless, Galactus’ debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps now throws the certainty of this being an adaptation of the 2015 comic into question.

Galactus’ 2025 MCU Debut Makes A Different Theory Seem More Likely For Avengers: Secret Wars’ Story

Galactus Plays A Bigger Role In The Earlier Secret Wars Comics

Galactus features in 2015’s “Secret Wars,” but his role pales in comparison to his appearance in the “Secret Wars” comics that ran from 1984 to 1985. The premise for the original run differs substantially, with no incursions threatening to reshape the entire Marvel Universe, but instead having Battleworld act as a more run-of-the-mill arena for Marvel heroes and villains to duke it out at the behest of the arch-villain, the Beyonder. It is a far less consequential run to its more modern counterpart, staging a nonetheless wildly entertaining battle royale for Marvel’s foremost characters.

Nevertheless, Galactus’ role is far more pivotal in the earlier “Secret Wars.” As is typical of the cosmic enтιтy, he doesn’t side with villains or heroes but instead wishes to carry out his typical routine of devouring worlds – this time, Battleworld. This ultimately pits him against Doctor Doom – who is also due to star in the Multiverse Saga’s climax – as he steals Galactus’s powers, tantamount to those of a god. Doom acquires similar godlike powers in 2015’s “Secret Wars,” albeit through different means, but Galactus’s presence suggests he will play a bigger role in the big-screen adaptation.

Introducing Galactus To Not Use The Character In The Multiverse Saga’s Finale Would Repeat An MCU Issue

The MCU Needs To Give Galactus The Screen Time He Deserves

The reason I think Galactus’ appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps heralds a more pivotal role in Avengers: Secret Wars is simply because it makes sense for Marvel to avoid making a common mistake. Namely, introducing a consequential new character with little to no payoff down the line. This has recently been seen with such characters as Harry Styles’ Starfox and Mahershala Ali’s Blade in Eternals, both introduced in the post-credits scenes without so much as a mention four years later. Tragically, it looks as if Blade’s MCU future is shakier than ever.

While I’m aware that Galactus won’t be introduced as part of a post-credits tease but will instead be the arch-villain of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I would hate for Marvel Studios to treat him as a one-and-done villain. This speaks to another unfortunate habit of the MCU, wherein it introduces some of Marvel Comics’ most powerful enтιтies only to have them feature in just one movie, dwarfing their power levels compared to their comic counterparts. Ultron, Hela, and even Kang are examples of this trope – and it’s one that I hope the MCU doesn’t repeat with Galactus.

Why The MCU’s Current Setup Would Justify Adapting Both Avengers: Secret Wars Storylines

Avengers: Secret Wars Might Draw From Both Secret Wars Runs

It makes sense, therefore, for the MCU to combine the stories of both “Secret Wars“ runs in the Multiverse Saga’s finale. The focus on incursions all but cements the idea that 2015’s “Secret Wars” will be the most heavily adapted, but I don’t see why it can’t borrow plot points from the original at the same time. After all, it is highly unlikely that the MCU will adapt “Secret Wars” twice, so combining the best of both Battleworlds would be a satisfying way to pay tribute to both of the highly regarded comics.

Galactus’ presence isn’t the only clue that this might be the case when Avengers: Secret Wars is finally released in 2027. One of the most consequential events to come out of the original “Secret Wars” was the debut of Spider-Man’s black symbiote suit, so much so that the image of him wearing it for the first time is synonymous with that run. Spider-Man: No Way Home teased that this will be adapted in the MCU with its post-credits scene, where a portion of the Venom symbiote from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe was conspicuously left behind at a bar.

Whatever the case, it is clear that Marvel will be wielding some creative license in Avengers: Secret Wars. Two consequential characters in both runs – the Beyonder and Molecule Man – are distinctly unlikely to appear, as there hasn’t been so much as a tease of either’s presence in the MCU. Should this be the case, then I hope Galactus gets as much of a stage to flaunt his cataclysmic powers in Avengers: Secret Wars as he did in the 1980s run.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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