What's Going On With The Fantastic Four Cast?

Summary

Marvel is reportedly in the process of casting the leads for the Fantastic Four reboot, with rumors circulating about potential actors for Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm.
The casting rumors are coming from various sources, including Marvel insiders on social media and trade publications, although it's difficult to determine the accuracy of these rumors until Marvel confirms them.
While actors like Matt Smith, Adam Driver, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Margot Robbie, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Daveed Diggs have been mentioned in relation to specific roles, nothing has been officially confirmed yet, and fans will have to wait for Marvel's official announcement at San Diego Comic-Con.

Rumors about who will play the leads in Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot are in full force as the film’s release gets closer. With WandaVision showrunner Matt Shakman confirmed to direct and a slated 2025 premiere, it’s about time that Marvel casts their final choices for Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. Anticipation has been high for the casting announcement of the MCU’s Fantastic Four ever since the Fantastic Four reboot was confirmed, and a plethora of rumored names have been circulating since then.

Following four characters who got superpowers after cosmic ray exposure in a space mission gone wrong, the Fantastic Four are some of Marvel’s most popular heroes. While the Fantastic Four will be making their MCU debut, they are no strangers to the big screen. There have been two released film adaptations and one sequel made about the team, though all received mixed to negative reviews. The 2025 Fantastic Four movie will be the MCU’s first official try at adapting the team since Marvel regained the rights to the characters from 21st Century Fox.

Why MCU Fantastic Four Cast Rumors Are Surfacing Now

With filming for the Fantastic Four presumably due to start soon, the film’s casting should be well underway. This progress is why casting rumors have been surfacing especially quickly lately. Plenty of rumors have gained traction on social media, though most of them have simply been hopeful fancasts. However, some scooper accounts on social media claim to be Marvel insiders – individuals who are usually involved with the industry, whether it be in the studio offices or on sets themselves, which is where they get their insight. Though these insider accounts aren’t official, they occasionally drop rumors that end up having some truth behind them.

Well-known Marvel insider @MyTimeToShineH has made several correct predictions in the past, and the account was the one to drop a Fantastic Four scoop that triggered the surge in casting rumors. However, the accounts are also often misinformed. However, trade publications like Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter will get tips for exclusive news too in a seemingly more reliable fashion, sometimes even from directors or producers themselves. Ultimately, it's hard to tell which rumors are true until Marvel Studios confirms it themselves, so it's important to always take unofficial casting news with a grain of salt.

MCU Reed Richards Casting Rumors Explained

The latest Reed Richards rumors, perpetuated by various leakers and fans on social media, is that Doctor Who's Matt Smith is in contention for Mister Fantastic. Like most Marvel casting rumors, the idea is hitherto unsubstantiated, but it's easy to see why the idea has gained traction. Smith has proved himself a talented a versatile actor, and his stint as The Doctor showcases his ability to embody a complicated character with deep ties to exploration, science, and the unknown - all qualities that are a must for Reed.

Adam Driver was a popular pick for Reed Richards after @MyTimeToShineH’s Fantastic Four tweet made the rounds online. Other well-known insiders Jeff Sneider and Daniel Richtman also back up this claim, saying that Driver is already in discussions to play Mister Fantastic. With the Oscar-nominated actor’s franchise experience in Star Wars and his various acclaimed roles, Driver would be a good fit to play Richards, but it's purely speculation at this point. However, it now appears that Driver is no longer a top contender.

Of course, John Krasinski’s name has been floating around as Reed after his brief cameo as the hero in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness, though that variant of Mister Fantastic seems more like a one-off. The actor's most recent comment specify that he hasn't been in discussion with Marvel to play the character again. However, it's hard to know if that's true or if he simply can't elaborate on private discussions.

Penn Badgley’s name was also in the rumor mill, further fueled by an interview the Gossip Girl and You actor did with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast where he said he would “neither confirm nor deny” the Fantastic Four rumors. Ryan Gosling has come up in other MCU rumors before for roles such as the villain Sentry and the cosmic hero Nova, but insider Sneider mentioned on his Hot Mic Podcast that Gosling was being eyed for a role in Fantastic Four instead. These last two seem like less likely candidates for Reed, but with nobody confirmed just yet, anything is still possible.

MCU Sue Storm Casting Rumors Explained

Vanessa Kirby looking off-screen in Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One

As Sue Storm is Reed’s loving wife, Emily Blunt’s name was the first to come up back when Krasinski was fan-casted as Mister Fantastic. After Krasinski’s Multiverse of Madness appearance, the rumors only amplified as the real-life couple was seemingly the perfect pair to play these heroes. However, there are no seemingly plausible rumors on Krasinski’s MCU return or Blunt’s rumored casting in Fantastic Four. Mila Kunis has also been rumored for the role after the Luckiest Girl Alive actress was seen out with Fantastic Four director Shakman, though she has since confirmed that she is not in the film.

Oscar-nominated actress Margot Robbie was mentioned alongside Driver’s Reed by insiders, making her the face of the Sue Storm casting rumors at the moment. Robbie played Harley Quinn in the DCEU for years, and her extensive experience in a superhero franchise would be a huge benefit for the Fantastic Four franchise going forward. Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer name is another that has come up in rumors and said to “never say never” when questioned about them on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, though she claims that she’s never met Kevin Feige, which somewhat puts this rumor to rest.

Most recently, however, a report from Above The Line claims that Vanessa Kirby, best known for her roles in the Mission Impossible and Fast and the Furious franchises, is the current frontrunner for the role. Kirby's role in several action franchises gives her experience in fight and set-piece choreography, and she certainly has the physical look to handle the role. With the movie reportedly focusing on Sue as the narrative center, it's understandable that Marvel is taking its time to name its Invisible Woman.

MCU Johnny Storm Human Torch Casting Rumors Explained

Joseph Quinn in Stranger Things Season 4

One of the most recent Johnny Storm rumors posited that The Boys star Jack Quaid would step into the role, but, despite being an exciting fan cast, Quaid has directly denied that he's involved in Marvel's Fantastic Four. Instead, a report from Above the Line claims that the rumors were based on a mix-up of initials. Instead, another "J.Q." may be the next Human Torch: Joseph Quinn. The actor gained immense popularity depicting Eddie Munson in Stranger Things season 4.

Previously, several other names have floated around for Johnny Storm, including Paul Mescal, according to recent rumors. A relatively newer face to Hollywood, Mescal gained critical acclaim for his Oscar-nominated performance in Aftersun. Though he fits the image of Sue Storm’s charming younger brother, Mescal’s future until 2025 is pretty booked up with his upcoming role in Gladiator 2 and supposed involvement in Chloé Zhao’s next project, which may cast some doubt on the Johnny Storm rumors.

According to insider Sneider on his Hot Mic Podcast, Elvis star Austin Butler’s agents are campaigning for his casting in the role, but nothing concrete about this rumor has surfaced. Nope star Brandon Perea has also publicly campaigned his interest in the role, telling ComicBook.com that it was a role he could envision himself in. Even MCU legend and former Fantastic Four member Chris Evans has teased a chance at the role, saying that he’d rather revisit Johnny Storm than Captain America in the MCU. Though with Evans’ presence so iconic in the MCU as Steve Rogers, it’s likely that he’s just having a bit of fun with the rumors.

MCU Ben Grimm The Thing Casting Rumors Explained

Up until recently, there haven't been many rumors about Ben Grimm’s potential casting. However, insider Sneider mentioned on the Hot Mics Podcast that Marvel is apparently looking for an actor of color along with someone who can honor Ben’s Jewish ancestry. If that is the case, then Daveed Diggs' name being mentioned for the role seems likely. The Hamilton actor is half-black and half-Jewish, and his casting rumor got pushed to the forefront when he was grouped with the Driver, Robbie, and Mescal rumors.

When Will Marvel Announce The MCU Fantastic Four Cast?

With San Diego Comic-Con taking place in July of this year, there's a huge chance that Marvel will take the opportunity to announce the final Fantastic Four cast then. Marvel Studios has always saved some of its biggest announcements for its Hall H panel, and this year will probably be no different. As the Fantastic Four in the MCU was first confirmed at Comic-Con back in 2019, it’d be fitting for Marvel to finally announce the cast at the same event years later.

Rumors about the casting for the MCU’s Fantastic Four reboot have been floating around for a while, but things are amping up as casting is seemingly underway. There are several frontrunners according to various insiders, but at this point, the roles are still up in the air. Though it’s been a long wait, Marvel fans anxiously awaiting news about the Fantastic Four film can rest assured that casting should be confirmed in the near future.