Ralph Ineson To Play Galactus In ‘The Fantastic Four’

Marvel Studios has found its big bad for The Fantastic Four, as Deadline has confirmed that Ralph Ineson (The First Omen) has been tapped for the role of Galactus.

News of his casting follows our break from earlier today concerning John Malkovich joining in a mystery role. As previously announced, the core cast includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). Paul Walter Hauser is on in another undisclosed role, with Julia Garner set to play Shalla-Bal, a version of Silver Surfer.

A pivotal character in the Marvel Comics universe, Galactus originated from the creative minds of writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Making his debut in Fantastic Four #48 in 1966, Galactus originated as Galan a humanoid inhabitant of the planet Taa. When his universe faced its demise in the Big Crunch, Galan’s essence merged with the sentience of the cosmos. With the subsequent Big Bang that heralded the birth of the current universe, Galan was reborn as Galactus, the sole survivor of the previous cosmos.

Of immense power, Galactus possesses nearly limitless ability for the manipulation of cosmic energy. in addition to projecting energy and manipulating matter, he has the ability to teleport across vast distances and alter reality itself. Additionally, he sustains himself by consuming the life force of planets, earning him the moniker of “world devourer.”

WandaVision‘s Matt Shakman is directing The Fantastic Four from a script by Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. Peter Cameron (WandaVision) has also done some writing on the project, the plot of which remains under wraps. Kevin Feige is producing for Marvel Studios, with the film slated to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

Currently, Ineson can be co-starring in The First Omen, which is out in theaters via 20th Century Studios. Previously best known for starring in Robert Eggers’ A24 pic The Witch, the BAFTA nominee has reteamed with the filmmaker on his anticipated take on Nosferatu, slated for release via Focus Features later this year. Coming up, he’ll also be seen starring opposite Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein for Netflix.

THR was first to the Galactus news.