Written By Kieran Bugg
Image: Disney
Antonio Banderas posted a behind-the-scenes video that sparked further rumors he is portraying Galactus in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Fantastic Four reboot. Disney’s world-changing acquisition of 20th Century Fox opened the door for several classic Marvel Comics supervillains to join the MCU.
Most notably the powerful foes from the Fantastic Four’s rogues’ gallery.
In addition to Doctor Doom, the villain that fans are most excited for is the world-consuming cosmic entity Galactus. Co-created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, Galactus debuted in Fantastic Four No. 48 in 1966.
Originally a mortal man, Galan was an explorer from a planet called Taa which existed before the Big Bang.
However, that universe found itself being slowly destroyed by an unknown cosmic cataclysm.
Antonio Banderas Triggers Rumors He’s Galactus With Startling Video
Image: Disney
With the devastation headed for his home world, Galan and other survivors attempt to flee via a spacecraft. Tragically. the spacecraft is ultimately engulfed by the destructive energy. killing everyone aboard.
Except for Galan.
He is protected after he bonds with the Sentience of the Universe. Moreover, the spacecraft’s wreckage encased him in an egg in which he would lay dormant in for billions of years. Surviving the end of one universe and the start of the next, Galan eventually emerges from his hibernation as Galactus.
Immediately craving sustenance from his long sleep, Galactus would begin devouring entire planets and their civilizations whole. Furthermore, he would eventually be assisted by various heralds who would guide him to suitable worlds.
One of these heralds would be the Silver Surfer, who reluctantly joined Galactus so his home would be spared. The Silver Surfer would eventually guide his master to Earth and its various superheroes fought back.
Mostly through the convincing of the Fantastic Four, the Silver Surfer ultimately betrayed Galactus and even helps defeat him. Since then, Galactus has kept his eye on Earth and would plan to return so he can finally satisfy his hunger.
Galactus and The Silver Surfer made their live-action debuts in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Released in 2007, Rise of the Silver Surfer was a sequel to 20th Century Fox’s first Fantastic Four movie. Both received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics and fans and only just managed to break even at the box office.
While the portrayal of the Silver Surfer was praised, Galactus was universally hated by Marvel fans. Instead of being the towering space god he was in the comics, Galactus was infamously depicted as a cosmic cloud. This change has often been compared with Deadpool’s appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Antonio Banderas Triggers Rumors He’s Galactus With Startling Video
Image: Twitter
Thankfully, with the rights now back with Marvel Studios, we can expect to see the true Galactus in live action.
Already there’s been constant speculation about where the devourer of worlds will make his first MCU appearance. All signs currently point to the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, which is set to release in 2025.
While he won’t be the film’s main villain, it’s been reported that one of his other heralds will be. This will set the stage for his inevitable arrival.
Recently, spanish actor Antonio Banderas is the latest actor to find themselves in the center of the MCU rumor mill. Giant Freakin’ Robot claimed that Antonio Banderas was in talks with Marvel Studios to play the ultimate villain. Initially, this was met with skepticism but a recent post from Antonio Banderas himself has added fuel to this small fire.
Across his multiple social media platforms, Antonio Banderas posted a video of himself prepping for a role.
The caption for this video said:
“Here I am in the strange and a little exhausting process of building an exact copy of my face for a movie.”
As Marvel fans would know, Galactus’ only visible human aspect is his face. Unsurprisingly, this has led to widespread speculation that Antonio Banderas’ likeness is being used for the MCU’s Galactus.
This certainly seems plausible now after this post.