Everything
Marvel Studios has just announced the cast for its upcoming Fantastic Four reboot (yes, another one), sparking excitement among fans. Pedro Pascal, known for his roles in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, will take on the role of Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic. Joining him will be Vanessa Kirby, acclaimed for her performance in The Crown, as Susan Storm, or the Invisible Woman. Joseph Quinn from Stranger Things will play Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, while Ebon Moss-Bachrach, aka Cousin Richie in The Bear, has been cast as Ben Grimm, also known as the Thing.
The film, set to be directed by Matt Shakman of WandaVision fame, promises to bring a fresh take on Marvel’s oldest superhero team, which debuted in comics back in 1961. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Fantastic Four have had a tumultuous history in film adaptations, with previous versions receiving mixed to negative reviews.
Marvel’s announcement came through an animated post on Instagram, wishing fans a Happy Valentine’s Day with an image of the superhero team. The storyline follows a group of scientists who gain superhuman abilities after being exposed to cosmic rays in space. This includes Mister Fantastic’s ability to stretch his body, Invisible Woman’s invisibility and force fields, Human Torch’s fiery form, and The Thing’s rock-like skin and superhuman strength.
Pedro Pascal’s casting as Mister Fantastic adds to his growing list of high-profile projects, including a role in Ridley Scott’s upcoming Gladiator sequel that also stars Paul Mescal. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige first announced the Fantastic Four reboot in 2019, initially with John Watts as director. Watts later stepped down, and Shakman took over. The screenplay has seen contributions from several writers, including Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, and Josh Friedman.
The choice of Kirby and Quinn had been speculated by fans, but Moss-Bachrach’s casting as The Thing came as a surprise. The film is scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, marking a new chapter for the iconic team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Hopefully this will do much better than its ill-fated, ill-edited, predecessor.
