The dust has completely settled following the monumental purchase of 21st Century Fox by Disney. We’re at the point where people have seemingly forgotten that groups like The X-Men and Fantastic Four could be entering The Marvel Cinematic Universe! These additions are great for fans of The MCU, but now that it’s an actual reality, we need to ignore how they’ll be worked into the fold and instead focus on who should be playing them.
This is a much harder proposition then you’d assume. There have been so many actors worked into the MCU and DCEU that it’s difficult to track down fresh faces to pick up the mantle of Marvel’s first family. Sure, Mads Mikkelsen would be the perfect choice for Doctor Doom; however, with him currently upholding the role of Doctor Strange nemesis Kaecilius, fanboys would be worked into a frenzy should he tackle two roles (even if one remains behind a metal Latverian mask). It’s a slippery slope when deciding who should take over these iconic roles.
Still, it is my civic duty to take a stab at casting the MCU’s Fantastic Four. Despite pleas from Michael Chiklis (who was a decent Thing), we’re getting fresh faces never before seen in “The MCU” before. So, let’s kick things off with our defacto leader.
Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards – Justin Theroux
There are a plethora of leading men that can handle the role of Reed Richards. Plenty of A-Listers capable of carrying a major role through the next few years of The Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, let’s hand the role over to someone who is one movie away from becoming a household name:Â Justin Theroux.
The Leftovers star proved he can handle the dramatic elements of The MCU, plus his comedy background — including writing credits for Tropic Thunder and Zoolander 2 — makes him an ideal choice for the Marvel collection of talent. He could also follow the path of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth as an underappreciated talent elevated by appearing in a superhero franchise (see also: Jason Momoa, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Bettany).
Bonus note: Theroux had previously worked with Marvel Studios — he helped write the script for Iron Man 2, meaning he’s due for redemption with the Mouse House.
Invisible Woman/Sue Storm – Kerry Washington
Now we’re getting into semantics territory here. I said no one who has been in The MCU before will appear on this list, despite the fact that Kerry Washington already appeared in the early 2000s Fantastic Four movie as Alicia Masters. Still, enough time has moved on where I believe we can look past her previous tenure with the franchise and bump her up to the majors with a role within the quartet.
Washington is about to blow up onto the movie scene. Her hit show Scandal seems to be winding down, meaning Washington will leave the TV world behind for more positions on the silver screen. She could be an excelled choice for the role of Sue Storm and could hold her own nicely against Theroux (something Jessica Alba had trouble doing with Iaon Gruffudd in the 2005 version).
The Fantastic Four will probably be major players in The MCU for years to come and Washington would be a perfect choice as one of the faces of the franchise.
Human Torch/Johnny Storm – John Boyega
What are the characteristics you are looking for in casting The Human Torch? You need someone brash. Someone cool. Someone that other people wish they could be. Don’t those qualities actually describe the real-life John Boyega perfectly?
He got his real start in 2011 — a fun breakout role in the indie film Attack the Block. Then, he really didn’t do anything until another indie project you might have head of… The Force Awakens. As we’ve seen in The Force Awakens, Boyega is a capable actor who can hold his own against some of the best in the galaxy. Let’s continue that trend by giving him a fun position amid a world of colorful characters in The MCU. He would fit in seamlessly… and getting someone onboard like Boyega before he officially breaks out as a blockbuster star would be a smart move by Marvel Studios.
The Thing/Ben Grimm – John Cena
Speaking of ‘about to breakout’, there’s John Cena. The popular professional wrestler is one big role away from joining his comrades Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dave “Drax” Bautista as a former wrestler turned capable actor. Roles in Daddy’s Home, Trainwreck and next year’s Transformers spin-off Bumblebee are putting Cena on the map, and if Marvel Studio’s is smart, they’ll beat DC to the punch and add the 15-Time World Champion embroiled to The MCU.
The best way to add Cena to the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Give him the best role of the bunch — Ben Grimm, a.k.a. The Thing. Cena is a massive specimen who can drops bits of comedy at any point — sure sounds like Grimm to me. Plus, for the role of The Thing you’re going to want someone who looks the part (sorry Jamie Bell). So, a professional wrestler should do the trick perfectly.
Doctor Doom/Victor Von Doom – Ben Mendelsohn
No iteration of Fantastic Four is complete without their chief arch-villain Victor Von Doom. The good doctor won’t just be central to their solo adventures, but could also serve in the “Loki Role” as a main antagonist plotting against the MCU’s superhero collective. Sure, Kang the Conqueror or Galactus could fill that void eventually, but truthfully, Doctor Doom should be the primary villain of the future.
Enter: Ben Mendelsohn. In recent years, he has made a name for himself playing the bad guys in films like Rogue One, Ready Player One and Bloodline. Now, there’s already reports of Mendelsohn being the potential foil in Captain Marvel as Yon-Rogg, a leader within the Kree. However, Mendelsohn is above playing such roles, so save the role of Yon-Rogg for someone else and push Ben into the position of main Marvel baddie for the next decade.
So, what are your thoughts? Any of these actors tickle your fancy, or do you have someone else in mind for a position in Marvel’s first family. Let us know in the comment section below!
Yes to all!
I prefer Joseph Gordon-Levitt for Reed and Luke Evans for Doom, but I like Kerry Washington and John Boyega as the Storm sibs a lot! and John Cena as the Thing has been something I’ve wanted to see since he played Juliet’s brother on Psych… he’s just perfect lol
I can see if I can this out before I lurch….1) stretchability as a super power is visually LAME in a movie medium. Take his big brain and and put it in machine man or something (He acts like a robot anyway.(
….2) in this case, NO BLACK WASHING (puh-Les!) .(Tie it in as a infinity wars …ALTERNATE REALITIES…one with cap dead and Chris Evans in the movie as Johnny Storm) And if you don’t agree with me on this one, you need to check your testosterone level…Jessica Alba visually is a great Sue Storm. She hasn’t been written worth a crap I know, but have her there as Malice from the John Byrne run on F.F. it would be great to see her go unchained in that Black Leather mask and outfit, with a ” I could give two shitz attitude ” 3) And then there’s Ben. The most visually abused character I have ever seen. ..If you can get the Hulk right with CGI , why not the Thing? (But I gotta’ have the Brow bro’ …) Have him work as a women’s wrestling ring manager/ owner who likes cigars. (on the side of course) 4) Forget Dr. Doom for now…. Focus on the Negative Zone Portal and Take a trip… You have Blastarr and Annihilus Tarrax, and then lead into Galactus ( and now that I write it, other Heralds of Galactus would be pretty cool too.) And finally, 5) Dr. Doom should be a solo movie. But base it own his Gypsy / magic up bringing with his Mom, the tragedy of her death that set Victor’s outlook on his life and goals..make his armor magical , and show the history / realtionship he has with it as well. He needs more magical art powers /and magical connections in general, in my humble opinion. Have Nightmare in there as an antagonist.
Great ideas especially Josh Boyega, who do you think should direct?
Sure glad you’re not a casting director… All those choices SUUUUUUCK (and we’ve had WAY more than enough of the stupid “let’s prove we’re all PC and progressive by turning classic legacy characters black” thing”). Plus, for whatever reason, Brits and Aussies seem to make the the best superhero movie actors, so that’s obviously the direction Marvel needs to go.
@Theodoricus Agree on your first point so much, disagree on your second.
Terrible choices all around. Well, Ben Mendelsohn is a good actor but totally wrong for Doom. I’d like to see comic book adaptations get back to being faithful adaptations of their source material instead of being ruined with SJW virtue signaling.
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