“Marvel Studios Announces Cast for Fantastic Four Reboot”

Marvel Studios has finally announced the cast for the highly anticipated reboot of “Fantastic Four.” This superhero quartet, which consists of the first characters ever created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, will be brought to life by a talented ensemble. Pedro Pascal will take on the role of Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic. Vanessa Kirby will portray Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman. Joseph Quinn will play Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch. Lastly, Ebon Moss-Bachrach will embody Ben Grimm, also known as the Thing.

In addition to the casting announcement, Disney has made some changes to the release dates of upcoming Marvel films. “The Fantastic Four” is now set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, while “Thunderbolts” has been pushed back to May 2, 2025.

As is customary with Marvel, specific details about the storyline remain scarce. However, for those unfamiliar with the comics, the Fantastic Four are a group of astronauts who gain superhuman abilities after being exposed to cosmic rays in space. Reed Richards gains the power to stretch his body to incredible lengths, earning him the moniker Mr. Fantastic. Sue Storm, Reed’s girlfriend and eventual wife, can manipulate light to become invisible and create powerful forcefields. Johnny Storm, Sue’s brother, can transform his body into fire, granting him the ability to fly. Lastly, Ben Grimm, Reed’s best friend, undergoes a complete transformation into a rock-like creature with immense strength, known as the Thing.

The film will be directed by Matt Shakman, known for his work on “WandaVision” and “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.” The screenplay is penned by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. Marvel managed to keep the casting under wraps until now, with only Pascal’s involvement being leaked back in November. Filming is expected to commence by the summer.

The cast is filled with highly sought-after actors. Pedro Pascal, who has been making waves in Hollywood, will likely shoot the second season of HBO’s “The Last of Us” before preparing for his role as Reed Richards. Joseph Quinn gained recognition for his captivating performance as Eddie Munson in the fourth season of “Stranger Things.” Ebon Moss-Bachrach recently won an Emmy for his role in FX’s “The Bear.” Vanessa Kirby, known for her portrayal of Princess Margaret in “The Crown” and her Oscar-nominated performance in “Pieces of a Woman,” expressed her excitement about playing Sue Storm, stating that it would be an honor to take on the role.

It is worth noting that the Fantastic Four has not been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe until now. The movie rights were previously held by 20th Century Fox, which produced three films featuring the characters. The first two films, released in 2005 and 2007, starred Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, and Chris Evans. In 2015, Fox attempted to reboot the franchise with Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, and Michael B. Jordan, but the film was met with critical and commercial disappointment. Following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the Fantastic Four finally found their way into the Marvel Studios fold.

Fans got a glimpse of Reed Richards in 2022’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” when John Krasinski made a cameo appearance as a multiverse variant of the character. This nod to the online fan campaign to cast Krasinski as Reed Richards generated excitement among fans.

While Marvel has yet to announce the central villain for the upcoming film, it is worth noting that Victor von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, is one of the most formidable adversaries in the Marvel universe. By introducing the full Fantastic Four lineup, Marvel Studios is securing a new anchor for the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the departures of Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) in “Avengers: Endgame.”

With an all-star cast and a beloved superhero team finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans can’t wait to see what adventures await the Fantastic Four in their highly anticipated reboot. Mark your calendars for July 25, 2025, when this iconic superhero team will make their triumphant return to the big screen.