Summary
- Pedro Pascal is being considered for the role of Reed Richards in the MCU’s Fantastic Four, but his deal depends on scheduling.
- Vanessa Kirby is a rumored frontrunner for the role of Sue Storm, and budget concerns reportedly ruled out a bigger star for the role.
- Joseph Quinn is the rumored frontrunner for the role of Johnny Storm, as previous reports regarding Jack Quaid have been debunked.
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach is rumored to be playing Ben Grimm aka The Thing, a role that will likely require motion capture work not unlike Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk.
In the wake of the recently concluded SAG-AFTRA strike, there has been a new wave of reports regarding the cast for the MCU’s upcoming Fantastic Four reboot. One of the most anticipated MCU movies that will finally bring Marvel’s First Family into Marvel Studios’ interconnected universe, an official cast announcement is likely due very soon. However, several outlets seem to have narrowed down what could very well be the official cast for one of the biggest upcoming Marvel movies.
Although Reed Richards’ Mister Fantastic was played by John Krasinski in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, this version was from an alternate reality and was subsequently murdered by the Scarlet Witch. While that wouldn’t have prohibited Marvel Studios from keeping Krasinski in the role within the primary MCU, reports have long indicated that the studio has been on the hunt for someone new to play the World’s Smartest Man while also looking for actors to play Sue Storm’s Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm’s Human Torch, and Ben Grimm’s The Thing in the MCU. Here’s a full breakdown of Fantastic Four’s potential cast.
Pedro Pascal As Reed Richards aka Mister Fantastic
Reports Indicate His Deal Relies On Scheduling
One of the newest reports regarding the Fantastic Four’s cast claims that Marvel Studios wants Pedro Pascal to play the next Reed Richards in the MCU. This certainly gives the film major star power considering Pascal’s high levels of popularity thanks to his roles in The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and more. However, it’s also been reported by Deadline and several other sources that Pedro officially getting the role is all dependent on scheduling. Other names Marvel Studios reportedly passed on include Jamie Dornan, Christopher Abbott, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Adam Driver according to insider Jeff Sneider.
Pascal’s aforementioned popularity naturally means that he’s currently quite busy. His schedule includes Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2, the second season of HBO’s The Last Of Us, as well as Zach Cregger’s Weapons. Additionally, The Mandalorian season 4 is rumored to be nearing the start of its production, though the Star Wars show likely only needs Pascal to provide his voice for the helmeted Din Djarin. So long as all parties involved are willing to accommodate Pascal, it does seem as though the role of Reed Richards is his for the taking. It stands to reason that Marvel will be as flexible as needed for a star as big as Pascal.
Pascal’s work on The Mandalorian season 3 was predominantly voice work with stunt actors wearing Djarin’s armor on set.
Vanessa Kirby As Sue Storm aka The Invisible Woman
Marvel Reportedly Ruled Out A Bigger Star Due To Budget
Actress Vanessa Kirby has been the rumored frontrunner for the role of Sue Storm aka the Invisible Woman who’s also the wife of Reed Richards in the comics. Kirby is best known for her role in the Mission Impossible franchise as The White Widow, playing Princess Margaret in The Crown, and her leading role in 2020’s Pieces of a Woman. While Kirby’s role as Sue Storm has yet to be confirmed, the actress has spoken to the rumors and has said that she’d be honored to join the MCU. It’s also been reported that Sue Storm will be a key lead in the upcoming reboot.
According to Sneider, Marvel Studios had been considering Emma Stone for the role of the Invisible Woman. However, budget concerns played a factor in the studio going another direction before reportedly landing on Vanessa Kirby who certainly looks like she’d fit the classic Marvel Comics role quite well. At any rate, it will be interesting to see if Kirby will indeed be playing Sue Storm whenever an official casting announcement comes from Marvel Studios in the near future.
Past rumored names for Sue Storm included actresses Emily Blunt, Mila Kunis, Margot Robbie, and Jodie Comer.
Joseph Quinn As Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch
Jack Quaid Previously Debunked Reports He Was Up For The Role
In a similar vein, it’s also been reported that actor Joseph Quinn is the rumored frontrunner for the role of Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch. He’s also Sue’s younger brother and is incredibly hot-headed to match his fire-based powers. Following his breakout role as Eddie Munson in Netflix’s Stranger Things season 4, Quinn has since been sought after for a few big projects. Not only does Quinn have a role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 alongside Pedro Pascal, but he’s also attached to 2024’s A Quiet Place: Day One which will be led by actress Lupita Nyong’o.
That being said, it had previously been rumored that The Boys and My Adventures with Superman star Jack Quaid was up for the role of Johnny Storm. However, Quaid himself quickly responded by debunking these rumors while sharing that he was “flattered.” Aside from that, Quinn is the primary name being talked about for the role of the MCU’s Human Torch.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach As Ben Grimm aka The Thing
Moss-Bachrach & Pascal’s Ages Reportedly Caused Initial Concern
Last but certainly not least, Ebon Moss-Bachrach is reportedly being considered for the role of Ben Grimm aka The Thing. Known for his recent role as Richie in FX’s The Bear, Moss-Bachrach is also known for his role as Micro in Netflix’s The Punisher along with a minor role in the Star Wars series Andor. While Sneider reports that Marvel was initially concerned about the ages of both Moss-Bachrach (46) and Pascal (48), it seems they’ve placed greater value on star power for Marvel’s First Family.
In the comics, Ben Grimm is the childhood best friend of Reed Richards who is the most radically changed hero of The Fantastic Four following their encounter with cosmic rays, gaining great strength while his skin transformed into a layer of rock-like orange plates. As such, the role of The Thing would most likely require some significant digital work with motion capture not unlike Mark Ruffalo as the Incredible Hulk or Josh Brolin as Thanos, though Marvel could perhaps go more practical as was seen with actor Michael Chiklis in Fox’s movies. Either way, Moss-Bachrach potentially playing The Thing in the MCU’s Fantastic Four should prove to be quite compelling.
Source: Various (See Above)
Key Release Dates
