Who should play the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Disney Investors Day was full of exciting announcements – among them was the confirmation that we’ll be getting a Fantastic Four movie set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We may not know when it’s happening, but we know Marvel Studios has it in their plans.
Fans of Marvel’s First Family have been waiting to see this for years. Granted, we’ve had three Fantastic Four movies in the last 20 years, but people tend to not like them. This writer enjoyed the first two but the Fantastic Four film from 2015 is an abomination that just shouldn’t be mentioned.
Going forward, Marvel will have the tough job of casting the Fantastic Four – not that casting has been an issue for Marvel Studios. However, as it was just mentioned, this team of heroes hasn’t had a lot of luck in the last two decades.
In a previous article, this writer wrote how good Tom Ellis would be as Dr. Doom. He has all of the skills to play Victor von Doom. We’ve seen him play evil, narcissistic, and powerful in Lucifer. All of those qualities would make him a perfect pick to play the Lord of Latveria. You could easily seem him cursing Reed Richards and blaming him for losing his face. As important as he is, however, this is only one of the main characters.
Who else can be cast to play other members of the Fantastic Four and their lore?
Ben Grimm
Admittedly, this has been a casting that’s been making its rounds throughout the internet for the last month or so. The thing is (pun intended) this is a great idea. John Cena has continued to show that he’s a more than capable actor. He’s been doing action movies for a while and has transitioned into comedy over the past five years. These are traits needed to play Ben Grimm. Plus, he’s handsome and has a football figure. It’ll be easy to picture him going from the good looking and confident Ben Grimm to the insecure Thing.
While John Cena may have all of the qualities necessary to play The Thing, the internet may to protest this. The funny part is no matter who’s selected, people will complain. Those people, however, will eat their words when Cena comes on-screen. First, he fits Ben Grimm’s fighting style, so Cena won’t have to do anything too out of character. Second, we know he has charisma. In fact, he has the potential to be one of the best speakers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When he yells out, “It’s clobberin’ time!” every doubt will disappear. This could be close to perfect casting.
If Dave Bautista can do it, Cena can too!
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.
Mole Man
Everyone talks about Doctor Doom when they bring up the Fantastic Four Villains. He’s the most famous and everything about him, from his eye-catching cape to his terrifying mask, are iconic. Because Doom is so great, however, it’s easy to forget that the Fantastic Four actually have other villains.
Some of those villains are good and others are laughable. Mole Man lies somewhere in between. If you look at him you’d call him a joke. He’s short and annoying. However, he has the ability to control monsters that can destroy buildings. If he appears in the MCU movie, the actor to play Mole Man should be able to pull off both goofy and dominant – particularly the latter when speaking to his Moloids.
This was a simple choice. Ever since his breakout role in The Hangover, people have typecast Zach Galifianakis. If you’ve seen Birdman, you know he’s more than the guy who plays a slapstick punching bag for the lead role. He has range. Playing Harvey Elder (Mole Man) will let him do both. There will be instances where he’ll have to play weak and then loudly and obnoxiously command an army of Moloids. That switch would make for an extraordinary scene. Since Mole Man was a big part of the original Fantastic Four comic and the Ultimate version, he’s is a better way to start this MCU franchise. Zach Galifianakis should be the easy choice for this.
Alicia Masters
Alicia Masters is an underappreciated part of the Fantastic Four’s family. She isn’t just one of Ben Grimm’s love interests. Nor should she be used as just a plot device to introduce Puppet Master. She’s part of the reason Ben doesn’t lose his mind. Alicia knows Ben better than almost anyone and always reminds him how he’s not the monster that some people see – and not the one he sees himself. In the recent Fantastic Four run (written by Dan Slott) Alicia has become a mother after she and Ben adopted two alien children – something that is going to add even more depth and responsibility to her character.
Whoever plays Alicia Masters has to be believable when she’s caring – giving us a character who not only loves Ben Grimm for who he is but isn’t afraid to check him when he’s being too hard on himself. Jurnee Smollett comes to mind here.
This may not be a superpowered role like the Black Canary, but it’s an essential one and Smollett has shown that she can be caring and gentle through her performances in Lovecraft Country. We’ve also seen her be tough and outspoken in that show and in the aforementioned role as Black Canary in Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn). She would be the perfect person to stand beside Ben Grimm in his time of need.
Galactus
Galactus is older than the universe itself and one of the most intimidating characters in any comic book genre. He devours planets like we do dinner. What’s scarier than that? When he arrives, everyone in the Marvel Universe takes notice. He’s a threat worthy of the entire Fantastic Four and then some. Before he appears, he sends his herald (the most famous being the Silver Surfer) to prepare the planet for his arrival. By the time Galactus shows up, Surfer has softened up the planet’s defenses. Then, it’s time to eat.
Galactus is a force of nature. Whoever voices him has to have that kind of effect vocally. It has to be deep and fit the CGIed body of a cosmic threat. Ving Rhames is the person to call on. He has one of the deepest speaking voices in Hollywood. He’s incredibly intimidating as well. When Galactus speaks with Ving Rhames’ voice and says, “Lo, I am Galactus” the audience will cheer.
It could be a real moment – one that they’ve been waiting for, especially considering the poor version we received in Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer. Speaking of the Silver Surfer, he’s another character that needs a good voice.
The Silver Surfer
Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer may not have stolen any hearts, but there’s one character that didn’t get any complaints. Norrin Radd a.k.a. Silver Surfer rocked. Not only was his design like the comic, his voice was amazing as well. Yes, Laurence Fishburne’s Surfer was near-perfect. He didn’t have a lot of speaking lines, but, when he spoke, we all listened. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get more of him. It would have been nice to hear him say, “To me, my board.” Or have a real fight with Galactus. Marvel Studios will make certain we see this and more.
Laurence Fishburne’s voice was good, but something different will be needed this time around. Norrin Radd’s voice needs to be smoother than deep. Hugo Weaving has the ability to carry off both. Think about him in V for Vendetta. All of his poetic words wouldn’t have hit as well if he didn’t have the right voice. Norrin and the Silver Surfer will have that same kind of impact.
Norrin’s journey is a gloomy one. Hugo Weaving is the perfect person to portray the life of Galactus’ herald – one that’s taken on the burden of sending billions of beings to their deaths to protect his home planet.
Reed Richards
Reed Richards is the leader of the Fantastic Four and one of the smartest people in comics. His intelligence is enough to make Lex Luthor hang his head in shame. The stretchy super powers are great, but without his big brain, he’d be just another guy with powers. He’s created things that are literally impossible – even by fantasy standards. The person who plays Reed has to pull off intelligence, leadership, and his famous naivete. Reed can split an atom in his sleep, but has the common sense of a child.
Ioan Gruffudd was perfect and this writer wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him in the role again. Nonetheless, it looks like the world has spoken on who should play him.
John Krasinski may have more support to play a comic book role than anyone. Playing Jim Halpert in The Office gave him stardom while his roles in A Quiet Place and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan showed his range. Now we know that he can do more than be goofy and do it well. Each of the roles mentioned showed different aspects of Reed Richards too. A Quiet Place showed Krasinski as a caring family man while Jack Ryan proved he could be a man of action and intelligence. There’s no way he wouldn’t do fantastic in this role.
Sue Storm
This writer thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Alba’s interpretation of the Invisible Woman. The Fantastic Four films she was previously in were meant to be goofier than the comic book versions but the MCU will probably go in a different direction. This time, the Invisible Woman will be the epitome of strength.
A mother, wife, and the most powerful member of one the premiere Marvel Comics super-teams, Sue Storm was on here last because, next to Dr. Doom, no one on this team may be looked at more closely. She has to be immediately strong in powers and personality and the actor portraying her has to be all this as well.
This one was difficult. After doing some research, Rachel Brosnahan’s name came up. And, wow, wouldn’t she be a great pick? Her role in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel showed this writer everything he needed to see. The stand-up comedy was part of it. She had a powerful presence on stage. – which could easily be translated into the Fantastic Four. She was also a caring mother throughout the series. People may overlook that, but it has to happen. Did we get the action? No, but neither did a lot of other actors in the MCU. Even if they did, not to the extent that we’re seeing now. She should be cast before another studio snatches her up.
What do you think? Who would you cast in these roles? Let us know in the comments below!