Summary
After 17 years, Marvel’s first family, The Fantastic Four, is finally heading to the company’s flagship movie franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. The film, set on an alternate 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic Earth, will pave the way for Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing) to enter the world in which familiar live-action heroes like Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, the Hulk, and Captain Marvel already ply their superhero trades — something Marvel fans have been forced to wait far too long for.
WithThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsonly a few months away from being released, the cast has long been confirmed. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are playing the eponymous quartet, and opinion has been divided regarding whether each of those castings is a good move on the part ofMarvel Studios. However, looking back at some of the past roles performed by those stars, it’s clear they all have the attributes and acting chops to do their iconic superhero characters justice in theMarvel Cinematic Universe.
Pedro Pascal As Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic
Pedro Pascal has shined in big titles likeGame of Thrones,The Last of Us, andThe Mandalorian
Pedro Pascal is among the most popular and beloved actors working in Hollywood today. Having been active as an actor since 1996, he got the big break that would see him rise to prominence in 2015 when he was cast asthe charismatic but ultimately ill-fated Oberyn Martellin HBO’s epic fantasy seriesGame of Thrones. Since then, the Chilean-American star has played several roles that suggest he’ll nail the role of Reed Richards in theMCU.
Perhaps most fittingly, Pascal has already ably played a superhero team leader in 2020’s critically acclaimedWe Can Be Heroeswhen he portrayed Marcus Moreno, The Heroics' leader. In Disney Plus’The Mandalorian, he played the eponymous Din Djarin and received heaps of praise for the way he conveyed emotion despite being under a helmet. That could prove vital in conveying his caring nature, given how stoic Richards is. His role as Joel Miller inThe Last of Uswas that of a protective individual with a deep emotional bond, not dissimilar to that Richards has with his Fantastic Four teammates. His comic book movie experience as Maxwell Lord in 2020’sWonder Woman 1984won’t harm him, either.
Vanessa Kirby As Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman
Vanessa Kirby has balanced dramtic and action-packed roles in projects likeThe CrownandHobbs & Shaw
English actress Vanessa Kirby is best known for her international breakout role as Princess Margaret in Netflix’s brilliant drama seriesThe Crown, for which she won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2018. The talented star began her acting career on stage and has since appeared prolifically on the big and small screens, taking on several roles that stand her in great stead to take on the MCU’s Sue Storm role.
That aforementioned role inThe Crownshowcased Kirby’s ability to exude the sophistication and elegance associated with Storm and her struggle to be recognized as an independent individual rather than a sidekick, wife, or sister of more prominent people. 2023’sMission: Impossible – Fallout, in which she played the formidable White Widow, proved she has action chops in spades, and her role as Empress Joséphine inNapoleonthat same year displayed her ability to play an emotionally complex character who’s calm under pressure. Her performance as Hattie Shaw in 2019’sHobbs & Shawadds to her action role credentials while also showing she can play a tough character who experiences vulnerable moments. Theadvice she received from Jessica Albawon’t do her any harm, either.
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch
Joseph Quinn gained prominence inStranger Things, but also did great work inGladiator II
Another English star, Joseph Quinn, exploded into the popular cultural zeitgeist with his role as Eddie Munson in 2022’s fourth season of Netflix’s sci-fi horror mystery phenomenonStranger Things. Quinn quickly stepped up to Hollywood blockbusters and is sure to be one of the more impactful stars ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, given that he’s playingthe larger-than-life Johnny Stormin the film.
IQuinn’s role as Munson inStranger Thingsundoubtedly best proves he’s the right man to play Storm. Like Storm, Munson is a jock, and the youthful exuberance, energy, and, in particular, cockiness the actor displayed in the role is perfect for the superhero otherwise known as the Human Torch. Another small screen role as Arthur Havisham in the BBC’sDickensianshowed Quinn could play an arrogant and naive character with the capacity to grow within a family with intricate social dynamics. His most recent role as Geta, one of two joint twin emperors alongside Fred Hechinger’s Caracalla, in Ridley Scott’s blockbuster sequelGladiator IIwas ideal preparation for a character with a prominent sibling dynamic (with Sue Storm) and a high-profile rivalry (with Ben Grimm).
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing
Ebon Moss-Bachrach returns to Marvel afterThe Punisher, but is best known for his excellent role onThe Bear
Arguably, the most intriguing casting forThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsis that ofEbon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, aka The Thing. The American actor has been around for years and has played several significant roles in popular productions. However, he truly became a household name at the grand age of 45 thanks to his role as restaurant manager Richie Jerimovich in the FX on Hulu comedy-drama seriesThe Bear.
That role as Jerimovich inThe Bearshowed Moss-Bachrach can play seemingly abrasive characters with soft centers impeccably. Also, it displayed his ability to play a character in a tight-knit team in the show’s restaurant crew. The star also has existing MCU experience, having played David “Micro” Lieberman in the first season ofThe Punisherin 2017. Micro is tech-savvy, often comic relief, and full of heart like Grimm, and his teamwork with Frank Castle, working towards the same goal, is an ideal preparation to play a Fantastic Four member. Finally, Moss-Bachrach’s performance as Desi Harperin in Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy-dramaGirlsshowcased his ability to play a character who experiences complex interpersonal relationships (like his with Marnie) and possesses emotional vulnerability and resilience in equal measure.
