(Graphic by Wes Burt/Marvel Studios)
As a kid, comic books fascinated me. Then came high school, college and jobs … so for the past several years, I’ve put myself through a second childhood — reading, re-reading and re-re-reading the comics I missed or misremembered as a kid.
I know the Fantastic Four lovingly from the perspective of reading Spider-Man and X-Men comics. When I saw the new cast for Marvel’s First Family yesterday, I was hit by that impression instinctively. I love the talent gathered for this team — I’m just left wondering how it will all come together.
Yesterday, Marvel announced Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing) for “The Fantastic Four,” which will release July 25, 2025.
Marvel used a lovely piece by concept artist Wes Burt to announce this news, who also made concept art for “Loki,” “The Eternals,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves.”
I’m over the moon for Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing. His role as Richie Jerimovich in “The Bear” is gruff, vulgar and unexpectedly sweet. His journey to find a purpose in his cousin’s kitchen is a great aspect of that show, and I can see a similar journey for his role as Ben Grimm as he gets used to being the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing.
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm is another great choice. I have great respect for Kirby, based mostly on her role as Princess Margaret in “The Crown.” Her role as Margaret takes her from the overly-stuffy monarchy of the U.K. and… well, it keeps her there, but she’s got moments of rebelliousness that earned her a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress. I see those moments of self-possessiveness mirrored in the Invisible Woman.
In the early years, Sue was often written as the frequently kidnapped, “yes dear, you’re so smart dear” wife of Dr. Richards. The script has flipped over the decades, and Sue is one of the most powerful heroes in Marvel’s lineup. She now possesses a doctorate in archeology, which allows her to connect with the people and cultures the F.F. meets, in contrast with Reed’s analytical approach and Ben and Johnny’s “let’s fight everyone in sight” approach.
As for Reed and Johnny, I’m 80% convinced. Pedro Pascal is a bankable star, already the eponymous lead of fellow Disney title “The Mandalorian” and HBO’s “The Last of Us.” He also has experience in the comic book movie genre as Maxwell Lord, the sympathetic villain of “Wonder Woman: 1984.”
Pascal is a great actor and a very charming man. Even in the announcement artwork, he comes across as suave. I see more footwork out of Reed Richards in the Instagram post than at the character’s own wedding (though not “Rise of the Silver Surfer”). While I’m sure he’ll be a major ticket-seller, I don’t think of Reed in those terms. While he’s a loving family man, he’s a terrible interpersonal communicator who usually isolates himself in his work. He’s gotten better in the team’s 63 years of publication and is far less condescending than he used to be, but he’s still not as warm as Pascal.
I know, it’s called acting for a reason. Pascal plays cold well, as he does in “The Mandalorian.” There’s a strong chance I’ll eat my words and he is fantastic as Mr. Fantastic. I just hope that whatever creative choices he makes in portraying his Reed Richards (which is his right), they benefit the story and place strain on the team, an element that made them popular in their 1961 debut.
As for Joseph Quinn, I’ll take fans’ word for it. I only finished season three of “Stranger Things,” so his role as Eddie Munson is unknown to me other than occasional clips and spoilers. All I know is that he’s a strong performer and people find him charming and energetic, which are great attributes for the Human Torch. Johnny is a proven hero with a dash of Peter Pan syndrome: He loves the attention that comes with setting himself on fire and fighting Galactus, while also understanding the dangers and responsibilities of his lifestyle.
H.E.R.B.I.E. also makes a surprise visit in the graphic, seen offering Ben a cup of coffee. Introduced in the 1978 “The New Fantastic Four” cartoon, H.E.R.B.I.E. has been built, destroyed and rebuilt in comics ever since, serving as a robotic butler, companion, mascot and occasional adversary. It is unknown who, if anyone, will be playing H.E.R.B.I.E.
The casting announcement comes after years of production switch-ups, with the MCU’s “Spider-Man” trilogy director John Watts joining and dropping out as director in 2022. Replacing him is Matt Shakman, director of the 2021 hit Marvel series “WandaVision,” who was announced as the film’s new director in September 2022.
John Krasinski also played Mr. Fantastic in 2022’s Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness but was not immediately signed to the F.F.’s MCU debut. This led to rampant, unfounded speculation and rumors about the cast, most notably the role of Reed Richards. Pedro Pascal was rumored to star as early as November last year, with his official sign-on announced yesterday.
In terms of tone, I think the artwork is a great look into what we can expect, visually and emotionally. The bright pastel colors and homestyle scene are a great fit and call back to the 1960s origins of the team. It also brings to mind the stereotypical American family, seen in the advertising works of Norman Rockwell and Andrew Loomis. I love the costume designs and hope they make their way to live-action. I doubt they’ll be used in fights, but the sweaters and utility bottoms on Reed and Sue are a great incorporation of the rough-and-tumble realities of cosmic adventuring, while also implementing the comic-book detailing of artists Jack Kirby and John Byrne. The MCU’s science-leaning designs finally find a logical home with the F.F.
My opinion of each Fantastic Four actor is high, as is my impression of the movie’s tone and visual style. What’s left is the team’s chemistry — will this family actually feel like a family? Not just love each other, but fight and make right with each other, like a family often does? I hope casting big-name stars won’t compromise that aspect of the story, as it’s one of the best elements of the series since its creation.
“The Fantastic Four” is set to release July 25, 2025, replacing MCU’s original release for “Thunderbolts,” which has been moved to May 2, 2025. Scriptwriters also include Marvel Studios’ Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer and Cameron Squires, as well as “Avatar: The Way of Water” writer Josh Friedman.
SZNS MAG 