How Matt Shakman’s Practical Suit Brings The Fantastic Four First Steps' Galactus to Life in Epic Fashion

Marvel fans are buzzing with excitement as The Fantastic Four: First Steps gears up to introduce one of the MCU’s most iconic villains, Galactus. Director Matt Shakman has shared thrilling details about bringing The Fantastic Four First Steps' Galactus to life, opting for a practical suit over heavy CGI to embody the planet-devouring cosmic giant. In recent interviews, Shakman’s vision for a grounded yet awe-inspiring Galactus has sparked curiosity about how this bold choice will redefine the character for a new generation.

Why Choose a Practical Suit for Galactus?

Shakman’s decision to craft a physical costume for The Fantastic Four First Steps Galactus stems from a desire to make the character feel tangible and present. “I didn’t want to just use motion-capture for Galactus. I wanted to actually have someone there embodying the part,” he told Entertainment Weekly. This approach contrasts sharply with the 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, where Galactus was depicted as a vague cosmic cloud—a choice that disappointed many fans.

By building a full suit for actor Ralph Ineson, Shakman aims to capture the towering menace of Jack Kirby’s original comic design, complete with the character’s iconic purple-and-blue armor.

The practical suit isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about performance. Shakman emphasized that having Ineson physically inhabit the role allows for a more authentic portrayal. “We’ve built an entire costume for him, and we’ve done a lot of photography testing to figure out, ‘How do you make sure that the scale is correct?’” he explained.

This meticulous process ensures that Galactus feels like a real, imposing force on set, rather than a digital afterthought.

How Does the Suit Reflect the Film’s Retrofuturistic Vibe?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in a 1960s-inspired retrofuturistic world, and Shakman’s vision for The Fantastic Four First Steps Galactus aligns seamlessly with this aesthetic. He’s described the film’s tone as “where Kirby meets Kubrick,” blending psychedelic comic-book visuals with the cinematic grandeur of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The practical suit plays a crucial role in grounding this cosmic story in a tangible reality. “We wanted it to feel like it was made in 1965, the way Stanley Kubrick would have made it,” Shakman told Empire Online.

The suit’s design draws heavily from Kirby’s classic artwork, ensuring that The Fantastic Four First Steps Galactus stays true to its comic roots. Multiple versions of the costume were tested to perfect its look on screen, with Shakman noting the challenge of capturing Galactus’s massive scale.

“How do you film Mount Rushmore?” he quipped, highlighting the effort to make Galactus appear as a colossal, planet-sized threat while keeping the suit practical and functional.

What Makes Ralph Ineson the Perfect Galactus?

Casting Ralph Ineson as The Fantastic Four First Steps Galactus was a stroke of genius, according to Shakman. Known for his commanding presence and deep, resonant voice in films like The Witch and The Green Knight, Ineson brings a gravitas that elevates the role. “We’ve got Ralph Ineson playing Galactus, and he’s fantastic,” Shakman enthused in a ComicBook interview.

The practical suit allows Ineson to fully embody the character, giving him the freedom to convey Galactus’s cosmic hunger and menace through physicality, not just voice or digital effects.

Shakman’s commitment to a suit-based approach also empowers Ineson to connect with his co-stars—Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach—on a human level.

Unlike motion-capture setups that isolate actors, the physical costume creates a shared space for genuine interaction, enhancing the emotional stakes of the Fantastic Four’s battle against their cosmic foe.

How Will the Practical Suit Impact the MCU’s Future?

The choice to prioritize practical effects for The Fantastic Four First Steps Galactus could set a new standard for the MCU. Shakman’s approach harkens back to the tactile, hands-on filmmaking of the 1960s, offering a refreshing contrast to the CGI-heavy blockbusters of recent years. “It’s about making it feel as grounded as possible,” he told Empire, signaling a return to storytelling that values authenticity over digital spectacle.

This decision also resonates with fans who’ve long awaited a faithful adaptation of Galactus. After the misstep of Rise of the Silver Surfer, Shakman’s promise of a “comic-accurate world-eater in all his armored glory” has ignited hope that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will deliver a definitive take on the character. With the film set to release on July 25, 2025, its success could pave the way for more practical effects in future MCU projects, especially as the Fantastic Four are confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday.

Some Closing Thoughts:

Matt Shakman’s bold vision for The Fantastic Four First Steps Galactus is a love letter to Marvel’s cosmic legacy and a testament to the power of practical filmmaking. By crafting a real suit for Ralph Ineson to bring the planet-devourer to life, Shakman ensures that Galactus will be both a visual spectacle and a deeply human presence.

As anticipation builds for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, fans can look forward to a Galactus who’s larger than life—literally and figuratively—when the film hits theaters in July 2025.