Marvel Studios has recently made an exciting casting announcement for their upcoming film, 'Fantastic Four.' Known as the first characters ever created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the superhero quartet will now be portrayed by an impressive lineup of actors. Pedro Pascal will take on the role of Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic, while Vanessa Kirby will bring Sue Storm, or the Invisible Woman, to life. Joseph Quinn will play Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will portray Ben Grimm, or the Thing.
To accommodate this casting news, Disney has made some changes to its release schedule. The release dates for 'The Fantastic Four' and 'Thunderbolts' have been swapped, with the former now set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, and the latter scheduled for May 2, 2025. These films are part of the four Marvel tentpoles slated for release in 2025, alongside 'Captain America: Brave New World' in February and 'Blade' in November. Furthermore, four more Marvel films are already planned for 2026, including 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.'
As is typical of Marvel Studios, there are few details available about the plot of 'Fantastic Four.' However, comic book fans will be familiar with the origin story. The Fantastic Four are a team of astronauts who gain superpowers after being exposed to cosmic rays in space. Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic, gains the ability to stretch his body to incredible lengths. Sue Storm, Reed's girlfriend and eventual wife, can manipulate light to become invisible and create forcefields. Johnny Storm, Sue's brother, has the power to transform into fire, granting him flight abilities. Lastly, Ben Grimm, Reed's best friend, undergoes a complete transformation into a rock-like being with super strength, known as the Thing.
The film will be directed by Matt Shakman, who has previously worked on 'WandaVision' and 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.' The screenplay is being penned by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. While it was rumored in November, Pedro Pascal's casting as Reed Richards has now been confirmed. Pascal, one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, will likely first complete his work on Season 2 of HBO's 'The Last of Us' before embodying the role of Mr. Fantastic.
Joining Pascal are talented actors Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Kirby, who gained recognition for her role as Princess Margaret in 'The Crown' and garnered an Oscar nomination for her performance in 'Pieces of a Woman,' has expressed her excitement in taking on the role of Sue Storm, describing it as an honor.
For fans of the Fantastic Four, this news marks a significant milestone as the franchise finally enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Previously, the movie rights to the Fantastic Four belonged to 20th Century Fox, which produced three films featuring the characters. The first two movies, 'Fantastic Four' and 'Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer,' were released in 2005 and 2007, respectively, with Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, and Chris Evans playing the superhero quartet. Fox's attempted reboot in 2015 received negative reviews and failed to resonate with audiences.
Four years after that failed reboot, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox, bringing the Fantastic Four under the Marvel Studios umbrella. The MCU briefly teased Reed Richards in the 2022 film 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' with John Krasinski making a cameo appearance as an alternate version of the character. This was a nod to a fan campaign that had advocated for Krasinski to portray Mr. Fantastic.
While the central villain for 'Fantastic Four' has yet to be announced, fans of the comics will anticipate the appearance of Victor von Doom, one of Marvel's most formidable adversaries. With the full foursome now cast, Marvel Studios is securing a new anchor for the MCU following the departures of Steve Rogers (portrayed by Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.) in 'Avengers: Endgame.'
Excitement is building among Marvel fans as the Fantastic Four prepare to make their debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With an incredible cast and talented creative team behind the project, audiences can look forward to another thrilling addition to the superhero franchise.
