Marvel Studios has officially announced the cast for its highly anticipated “The Fantastic Four” film, introducing a fresh lineup of actors to portray the iconic superhero team. This group, originally created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics, marks a pivotal addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The casting choices include Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards
Joseph Quinn is cast as Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, with Vanessa Kirby taking on the role of Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach portraying Ben Grimm, known as the Thing, and Mr. Fantastic being portrayed by.
Accompanying this casting revelation, Disney has also adjusted the release dates for “The Fantastic Four,” now set to premiere on July 25, 2025, and “Thunderbolts,” which has been moved to May 2, 2025. These films are part of Marvel’s ambitious schedule for 2025, which also includes “Captain America: Brave New World” in February and “Blade” in November. The lineup for 2026 promises even more, featuring “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” among others, highlighting a significant increase in Marvel’s cinematic output compared to 2024.
The Fantastic Four’s origin story remains a cornerstone of Marvel lore. As astronauts exposed to cosmic rays during a space mission, each member of the team gains unique superhuman abilities. Reed Richards acquires the power to stretch his body in extraordinary ways, while his partner, Sue Storm, can manipulate light to render herself invisible and create force fields. Sue’s brother, Johnny, gains the ability to engulf his body in flames and fly, and Reed’s close friend, Ben Grimm, transforms into a rock-like creature with immense strength, albeit grappling with his new, monstrous appearance.
Director Matt Shakman, known for his work on “WandaVision” and “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” is set to helm the project, with a screenplay penned by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. Despite early leaks of Pedro Pascal’s involvement, Marvel strived to maintain secrecy regarding the casting of these celebrated characters, who are among the most influential in superhero history. Filming is anticipated to start by the summer.
Pedro Pascal, currently one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, is expected to complete filming for Season 2 of HBO’s “The Last of Us” before taking on the role of Reed Richards. Joseph Quinn, who gained widespread recognition for his role as Eddie Munson in “Stranger Things” Season 4, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, an Emmy winner for his portrayal of Richard “Richie” Jerimovich in “The Bear,” are also making notable transitions into the Marvel universe. Vanessa Kirby, having previously expressed her interest in playing the Invisible Woman, brings her acclaimed acting prowess to the MCU, following her Oscar-nominated performance in “Pieces of a Woman” and her role as Princess Margaret in “The Crown.”
The arrival of the Fantastic Four in the MCU has been highly awaited by enthusiasts for a considerable period.
The movie rights previously belonged to 20th Century Fox, which produced three films featuring the characters. The first two, “Fantastic Four” and “Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer,” were released in 2005 and 2007 with a cast that included Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, and Chris Evans. A reboot attempt in 2015 with Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, and Michael B. Jordan did not meet expectations. Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019 paved the way for the characters’ integration into the MCU.
The MCU teased fans with a brief glimpse of Reed Richards in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022), where John Krasinski played a variant of the character, fueling speculation and excitement about the Fantastic Four’s future. While Marvel has not yet disclosed the villain the Fantastic Four will face in their upcoming film, the central antagonist in the comics is often Victor von Doom, a formidable and iconic Marvel villain.
By unveiling the cast for “The Fantastic Four,” Marvel Studios is not only expanding its cinematic universe but also setting the stage for the next major chapter in the MCU. Following the departure of key characters like Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in “Avengers: Endgame,” the Fantastic Four are poised to become the new cornerstone of Marvel’s sprawling narrative, promising fans a continuation of the epic storytelling that has captivated audiences around the world.