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Marvel’s success can be largely attributed to their exceptional casting choices, which began with Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man in 2008. While Ed Norton’s portrayal of Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk was not as well-received, it was the addition of Downey Jr that sparked a decade-long streak of interconnected and innovative superhero films under the newly Disney-owned studio. This led to the rise of relatively unknown actors like Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Chris Evans (Captain America), as well as the incorporation of talented TV actors like Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) and indie film stars Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) into the Marvel universe. Even the casting of Tom Holland as Spider-Man was highly praised.
Maybe this is the reason why, during a period of struggle for the studio, they have carefully considered the casting for their upcoming Fantastic Four movie, which will be the first to be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Considering the past disappointing performances of the comic book foursome on the big screen, it is crucial that the team stands out from others this time.
According to recent reports from The Hollywood trades, it has been confirmed that Pedro Pascal (known for his role in The Mandalorian) will be taking on the role of Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic. Vanessa Kirby, who is known for her role in The Crown, will be playing Sue Storm, or the Invisible Woman, while Joseph Quinn from Stranger Things will portray her brother Johnny Storm, also known as The Human Torch. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, known for his work in The Bear, will play the role of Ben Grimm, or The Thing, in the upcoming film. This casting news has been met with much excitement and praise, as Pascal has already proven himself as a successful action movie star through his work in The Mandalorian. Kirby has also gained popularity in Hollywood through her appearances in Mission: Impossible films and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. Quinn’s performance as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things was highly praised, and Moss-Bachrach’s Emmy win for Hulu’s comedy-drama adds to the already impressive cast.
The upcoming movie “The Fantastic Four” (note the addition of “The”) has been rescheduled to premiere in July 2025. It will be the second installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to feature characters from the 20th Century Fox-owned Marvel films from the 2000s and beyond (excluding post-credits scenes and alternate dimensions). Recently, a trailer for “Deadpool and Wolverine” was released, giving viewers a glimpse of how the studio will handle Ryan Reynolds’ foul-mouthed mutant and his new partner, Hugh Jackman’s returning character with adamantium claws. While Deadpool’s self-aware humor about joining the MCU after Disney’s acquisition of Fox may not be replicated in other episodes, it is hoped that there will be a similar tone of lighthearted irreverence in “The Fantastic Four.” This comic book franchise has been mishandled by Hollywood for many years.
Unfortunately, despite several attempts, Marvel’s first family has yet to be successfully portrayed on the big screen. The 1994 version, produced by Roger Corman with a limited budget and seemingly only to fulfill a contract, was rarely seen. The two lackluster and uninteresting films made by Fox in the early 2000s (does anyone even remember Jessica Alba as Sue Storm?) and Josh Trank’s awkward and poorly conceived 2015 film only add to the disappointment. It’s truly a shame.
Due to the excellent casting choices, the studio now has the necessary resources to fix any past mistakes. Hopefully, July 25, 2025 will mark a new era and all previous attempts will be forgotten. One of the highlights of Marvel’s expanded multiverse is that there can be multiple versions of the Fantastic Four in different dimensions. This also means that we can disregard any subpar versions that were not worth our attention.
Source: theguardian.com
