The MCU’s next ‘big pillar’ arrives this summer.
20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios
TheFantastic Fouris ready to make theirMarvel Cinematic Universedebut.
There’s a lot of well-known narrative that leads into that moment, right?
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in ‘The Fantastic Four: The First Steps’'.Credit:20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios
So we are beginning after that.'"
To tell that story, though, you need a starry cast that gels.
“Casting was the number one challenge for the film,” Shakman told EW for ourAprilFantastic Fourcover story.
Pedro Pascal.David A. Smith/Getty; 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios
Who was the best married couple?
Who were the best siblings and honorary uncle?
Pascal plays Reed Richards, the brilliant scientist and inventor also known as Mister Fantastic.
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards in ‘The Fantastic Four’.Jay Maidment/© MARVEL 2025
Aside from his prodigious intellect, Reed’s powers include stretching his body into any shape he desires.
Jay Maidment/ MARVEL 2025
“It was really intimidating,” Pascal told us about stepping into the role.
InThe First Steps, she plays Sue Storm, a.k.a.
Vanessa Kirby.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty; 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios
Obviously, her powers include invisibility, but Sue is also capable of projecting force fields.
How can you be all the things?
Fans can expect a cuddlier Johnny this time around.
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm in ‘The Fantastic Four’.Jay Maidment/© MARVEL 2025
“He was branded as this womanizing, devil-may-care guy, but is that sexy these days?
I don’t think so.
“He is really smart,” Shakman added.
Joseph Quinn.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty; 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios
He’s Sue’s brother, which means they are cut from similar cloth.”
And who could forget him as Desi, Marnie’s partner-in-song onGirls?
It was a real team effort," Moss-Bachrach told EW.
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm in ‘The Fantastic Four’.Jay Maidment/© MARVEL 2025
It was a unique experience.
He’s a perfect pitch for the god-like juggernaut that isGalactus the man exudes gravitas.
“World devouring cosmic villain is it?
Ebon Moss-Bacharach.Monica Schipper/Getty; 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios
“Ineson wrote on Xafter news of his casting dropped.
“Ill see what I can do.”
I wanted to actually have someone there embodying the part.
Ebon Moss-Bacharach as Ben Grimm in The Fantastic Four'.Jay Maidment/© MARVEL 2025
How do you film Mount Rushmore?”
(Shout out to Garner’s sublime turn in Green’s 2019 filmThe Assistant, an overlooked gem.)
She’s playing Shalla-Bal, a.k.a.
Ralph Ineson.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Marvel
theSilver SurferinThe First Steps, a character with whom anyone who’s read a comic is familiar.
That said, it’s still unclear whether she’ll appear on screen or voice the role.
Garner remained tight-lipped about the role whenspeaking with EW in January.
Julia Garner.Daniele Venturelli/Getty; Marvel/Taschen America Llc
“I can’t really speak a lot about that project,” she said.
They are so amazing in this.
I’m very excited for people to see them.
John Malkovich.Marvel Entertainment
So, yeah, that’s all I’m gonna say.”
John Malkovich as ?
Marvel Entertainment
John Malkovichremains one of Hollywood’s weirdest and most relentlessly fascinating actors.
Either way, Marvel is lucky to have him.
As for who he’s playing, well, nobody really knows.
Hey, it wouldn’t be the first time Malkovich has played a Russian.
