Fantastic Four: Casting Marvel’s First Family in the MCU
By Mark Lynch
Johnny Storm
What are the qualities of Johnny Storm? We know he’s brash, impulsive, and lives a carefree lifestyle. Normally, these are things that would hide some kind of insecurity. Not here. Most of Johnny Storm’s traits are right on the surface. Among them are other positive attributes to his personality. He cares about his loved ones in ways most don’t. He’s willing to fight and die for them. On one occasion he did sacrifice his life for them and he’d do it again in a heartbeat. This is something that is a must for his character – more so than his life as a playboy.
This writer is a huge Zac Efron fan. Who shouldn’t be? He’s done a bunch of comedies and played different roles. He was incredible as Ted Bundy and phenomenal in The Greatest Showman. He can sing, dance, and has a strong on-screen presence. More than all of this, Zac Efron plays jerky characters better than most. His portrayal of Teddy Sanders in Neighbors and Matt Brody in Baywatch are perfect examples of what he can do. And, like John Cena, he has the physique to play the Human Torch.
Efron would be the perfect choice to play the character.