FX/Marvel Comics
Despite the fact that this summer will mark five years since Marvel Studios officially announced its Fantastic Four film, the long-awaited project still does not have a cast and has already gone through a directorial change, as well.
In recent months, however — especially since Marvel is set to begin productions on key projects such as Daredevil: Born Again and Thunderbolts in the coming weeks — speculation around who will headline the Fantastic Four cast has grown.
Late in 2023, for example, it was reported by multiple outlets that The Mandalorian and The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal had signed on to play Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in the Matt Shakman-directed film.
Those reports, which have still yet to be confirmed by the studio, were accompanied by rumors that Oscar nominee Vanessa Kirby had been cast as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn of Stranger Things season four fame had landed the role of Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing would be played by The Bear breakout Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
When recently asked by The Wrap whether or not he’s been cast as The Thing in Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four, Ebon Moss-Bachrach busted out the old “can neither confirm nor deny” routine.
Moss-Bachrach certainly fits the part when it comes to playing The Thing, as he, similar to the Ben Grimm character, is Jewish and from the Northeast. He also has shown in The Bear that he’s proficient at portraying bottled rage, which is perfect when playing The Thing, who’s undoubtedly the “angry” one of Marvel’s First Family.
At this time, Fantastic Four is scheduled to hit theaters on May 2, 2025.