The Fantastic Four: First Steps Ending & Galactus’ Fate Explained

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Wondering about how the conclusion of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” alters the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future? The finale boasts cosmic peril, a significant sacrifice, and the emergence of Franklin Richards’ power. With Galactus vanquished and fresh dangers arising, Earth-828 steps into a novel chapter.

Here’s the Fantastic Four: First Steps ending explained and what it means for the MCU.

What happened to Fantastic Four, Galactus, and others in First Steps’ ending?

Galactus

In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it’s Galactus who poses a major danger to Earth-828. He makes his appearance through Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer, who announces that the planet has been chosen for destruction. Galactus proposes a deal where he’ll save Earth, but on the condition that the Fantastic Four hand over Franklin Richards, a baby possessing the Power Cosmic. Galactus reasons that Franklin might be able to end his perpetual hunger and become his replacement.

The Fantastic Four decline the proposal. Later on, Galactus makes his appearance in New York City with the intention of capturing Franklin personally. He subdues the team: he throws The Thing out into space, incinerates the Human Torch, and elongates Mr. Fantastic to the brink of death before taking the child. Sue Storm, emerging from the debris of a collision, unleashes her full power in a force field blast that propels Galactus towards a teleportation trap. Mr. Fantastic rescues Franklin. The plan comes close to success, but Galactus resurfaces from the portal, only to be taken by surprise and pushed into oblivion by the returning Silver Surfer. Both disappear.

Silver Surfer

On the cosmically-charted realm of Earth-828, Shalla-Bal, known as the Silver Surfer, makes her debut in Times Square to warn of an impending catastrophe for Earth. Following a relentless pursuit of the Fantastic Four across the cosmos, failing to capture Franklin and retrieving nothing but failure, she returns to our world and systematically destroys almost every interplanetary transporter – save one which remains in New York City. However, it is Johnny Storm who ultimately manages to reach her, armed with recordings from obliterated worlds. These poignant messages stir a dormant sense of morality within Shalla-Bal.

In my movie-loving perspective, when the cosmic entity Galactus reemerged from the wormhole’s grasp, Shalla-Bal, a character I deeply respect, took the ultimate sacrifice. With a desperate bid to save our world, Earth-828, she hurled us both into the enigma of the unknown. This selfless act undeniably protected our reality, but at an enormous personal cost: her life, or at least her existence in this particular dimension.

Fantastic Four and Franklin Richards

In a world that blends past and future aesthetics, it’s the Fantastic Four who are Earth’s sole protectors. They encounter Galactus, who aims to take newborn Franklin Richards. Refusing his proposition to sacrifice the child for Earth’s preservation, they devise a strategy: transporting the planet elsewhere. However, when Shalla-Bal disables their teleportation devices, they resort to an alternative plan – using Franklin as bait to ensnare Galactus in a trap.

In the face of Galactus’ assault, every team member puts up a valiant fight but ultimately succumbs. Sue, utilizing all her might, shoves Galactus into a wormhole, yet this act proves fatal for her. Reed, Johnny, and Ben grieve over her demise until baby Franklin, still inexperienced, scoots towards his mother. With hands radiating the Power Cosmic, he revives her, stunning the team. They reunite as five, stronger than ever, ready to carry on guarding their world.

H.E.R.B.I.E.

In the passage four years later, Sue is reading to a grown Franklin at the Baxter Building, with H.E.R.B.I.E. expressing The Origin of Species as his preferred book. As Sue steps away, a figure cloaked in shadows appears, grasping Franklin’s hand and donning Doctor Doom’s mask. This scene reveals that Doom is from Earth-828 and suggests his fascination with Franklin’s abilities, paving the way for Avengers: Doomsday.

Mole Man

In the face of Galactus’ assault, Mole Man collaborates with the Fantastic Four, guiding New York residents to Subterranea as part of Sue’s evacuation strategy. As a respected leader among his people, he fulfills a crucial role in this crisis. Shakman compares him to a labor union leader, while his actions demonstrate dedication and protection for his community. Afterward, Mole Man makes an appearance alongside other iconic villains in the nostalgic post-credits scene of the retro cartoon, concluding with Jack Kirby’s famous quote: “If you study my characters, you will find me.

Kirby’s birthday, August 28, directly links Earth-828 to him, honoring his legacy.

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2025-07-24 06:57