I’m very much looking forward to Galactus’sMCUdebut 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 withAvengers: Secret Wars. Galactus is one ofthe most powerful entities in MarvelComics 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’sThe Fantastic Four: First Stepscould be one ofthe MCU’s most consequentialdue 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 beyondThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. This is why I believe Galactus' mere presence hints at howAvengers: Secret Warsis 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 Warstakes its name from one of two runs in Marvel Comics, both titled “Secret Wars.” From the evidence we’ve seen in the Multiverse Saga thus far, the prevailing theory is thatAvengers: Secret Warswill 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 Sagathus far. Incursions were fleshed out inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessas universe-ending events that occur in the MCU as a result of multiversal travel.
What Are Incursions? Marvel’s New Multiverse Problem Explained
Doctor Strange 2 teased Marvel’s next major multiverse problem by introducing incursions, which could have a big impact on the MCU’s future.
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.
In the 2015 run of comics, Doctor Doom crafts Battleworld out of pieces of different universes that were lost in incursions.
Furthermore, withThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsreleasingso 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 ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3also hints at his central role in the comic being adapted for the big screen. Meanwhile, rumors of asoft reboot for the MCUsuggest that it will imitate the conclusion to “Secret Wars.” Nevertheless, Galactus' debut inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsnow 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,” buthis 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.
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The MCU has already laid much of the groundwork for the conclusion of its Multiverse Saga in Avengers: Secret Wars in several exciting ways.
Nevertheless, Galactus' role is far more pivotal in the earlier “Secret Wars.” As is typical of the cosmic entity, 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, butGalactus’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 thinkGalactus' appearance inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsheralds a more pivotal role inAvengers: Secret Warsis 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 inEternals, 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.
While I’m aware that Galactus won’t be introduced as part of a post-credits tease but will instead be the arch-villain ofThe 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, whereinit introduces some of Marvel Comics' most powerful entities 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.
Whatever the case, it is clear that Marvel will be wielding some creative license in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Galactus' presence isn’t the only clue that this might be the case whenAvengers: Secret Warsis 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 Hometeased 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 inAvengers: 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 inAvengers: Secret Warsas he did in the 1980s run.
