“ | It is known by many names. My people called it... Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. It must feed on energy to survive. Both thermal... and organic. | „ |
~ The Silver Surfer telling the Invisible Woman about Galactus. |
Galactus, also known as Gah Lak Tus, is the overarching antagonist of the 2007 Marvel superhero film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. He is a massive eldritch entity that feeds on worlds.
Biography[]
Galactus' origins and true name are unknown. He is known for feeding on planets throughout the universe to survive. Upon reaching the planet of Norrin Radd, Radd offered his servitude in exchange for his planet and loved ones' survival. Galactus agreed and granted Radd cosmic powers, transforming him into his herald, the Silver Surfer. Radd, with his new abilities, sought out other planets for Galactus to devour, going weeks ahead of his master to prepare the planet for consumption by drilling holes to the planets' cores. Later, the Silver Surfer found Earth.
The Surfer began preparing the Earth for Galactus, though he was opposed by the superhero team the Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four, desperate to stop the Surfer, team up with Doctor Victor von Doom to attack the Surfer with an energy pulse that will allow his capture. After the Surfer is captured, Susan "Invisible Woman" Storm goes to talk with him.
The Surfer explains what Galactus is, and why he must serve to protect his planet. However, Doom turns against the heroes and steals the Surfer's board, refusing to part with the power even as Galactus arrives.
As the Fantastic Four fight off Doom, Galactus begins devouring the Earth. Doom is defeated, but Susan is killed in the process. Realizing that he has a choice, the Surfer uses some of his power to bring her back before reacquiring his board and racing off to confront Galactus.
The Silver Surfer confronts Galactus, telling him that he will no longer serve. Enraged, Galactus tries to kill the Surfer. However, the Surfer expels all of the cosmic power in his body, creating a massive explosion that seemingly destroys them both, saving the Earth.
Later, the Surfer's motionless body is seen drifting through space, with the board following close by before quickly returning to the Surfer, implying that he (and perhaps Galactus) may still live.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This Galactus was based upon his Ultimate incarnation. The official novelization of the film calls the character "Gah Lak Tus", a reference to the Ultimate comics.
- Throughout the film, the character is shown as a massive tornado of cosmic debris with an obscured, more comics-accurate silhouette only briefly glimpsed from within.
- According to director Tim Story, Galactus' true form was purposefully obscured so that they could fully reveal the character's appearance in a planned Silver Surfer spin-off movie. Unfortunately, the spin-off never materialized as well as a third Fantastic Four film helmed by Story due to 20th Century Fox opting to cancel the film series and reboot it, making highly unlikely that we will see this version of Galactus ever again.
- Concept art for Rise of the Silver Surfer shows Galactus' comic silhouette a lot more clearly.
- Galactus first appeared in the game Fantastic Four: Flame On as a boss.