MCU has Its ‘Fantastic Four’ – Including Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards
The long wait is over – Marvel has finally announced the cast for MCU’s Fantastic Four, led by Pedro Pascal.
The super family team has been a part of comics since 1961; they’re the first superhero team created by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and editor/co-scripter Stan Lee. They’re considered to be Marvel’s First Family. The team’s initial run was groundbreaking for comics, ushering in the Marvel method as well as several big villains that endure to this day.
The Fantastic Four has gotten some horrible on-screen adaptations over the years. They appeared in a of animated shows starting in the late seventies and got three (one wasn’t released) live-action movies that are generally panned. Stars in both big-screen iterations would go on to play other characters in the MCU years later.
Their MCU debut was announced in 2019 to great excitement, which has become caution as Marvel’s hold on popular culture has waned and movies have slumped at the box office.
It doesn’t help that projects keep losing directors, writing teams are being fired, and their work is scrapped. Release dates have been pushed back by years at a time. Off-screen scandals have forced the studio to make massive changes to its plans. Post Infinity Saga, Marvel has been a mess.
Remember this SDCC 2022 slate?
Fantastic Four Cast
Today, fans got some solid news about the long-awaited Fantastic Four movie. After months of speculation and rumors, Marvel has confirmed the team and new release date.
It’s an interesting bunch, not what was expected even a year ago. I don’t think any of these actors were on the popular fan cast lists that have been circulating since the project was announced in 2019. All four are fantastic (ha.. ha… ha ha ha…. so funny), though.
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, a.k.a. the Thing
- ??? as H.E.R.B.I.E.
I’m especially looking forward to Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm. If you’re not familiar, watch The Bear on Hulu – he just won a much-deserved Emmy for his performance. I’m still not entirely sold on Pascal as Reed, but he’s a great actor, and I’m curious to see where he takes it.
The other bit of news: Fantastic Four is taking Thunderbolts‘ release date. Fans will be able to see the new take on the iconic team on the big screen on July 25th, 2025.
