After the monumental events of Avengers: Endgame and the expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) onto Disney+, a new chapter has begun for the beloved franchise. Alongside the continuation of stories featuring iconic characters such as Spider-Man and Loki, the MCU is set to introduce new heroes and villains.
Among these upcoming additions is the renowned superhero team, the Fantastic Four, who are scheduled to make their official debut in the MCU in 2025, following the introduction of Deadpool and Blade.
With nearly two years to go until fans witness the new iterations of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm in action, speculation regarding potential actors for these roles has been rampant on social media. Numerous names, both familiar and unexpected, have surfaced as contenders, including Mila Kunis, who was rumored not only for the role of the Invisible Woman but also as a female version of The Thing.
Vanessa Kirby, acclaimed for her performance in the Mission: Impossible franchise, is another high-profile candidate that fans would love to see join the MCU as one of the leaders of the Fantastic Four. Recently, Kirby addressed these fan-casting rumors while speaking with ComicBook.com, stating,
“It would be an honor.”
Although she did not divulge any concrete details or indicate whether Marvel Studios has approached her for the role, her co-star in Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part One, Pom Klementieff, expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of sharing another franchise with Kirby, saying, “We could work together!”
Klementieff portrays Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy, having joined the team after the second movie in the series, which seemingly concluded with its latest installment. However, by the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Mantis decides to forge her own path separate from the rest of the team. While Klementieff has not ruled out a potential return in a future project, similar to Dave Bautista and Zoe Saldana, her support for Kirby joining the MCU hints at the potential for their collaboration.
Kirby would undoubtedly be an exceptional choice to portray Sue Storm. Nevertheless, the competition for the role appears to be fierce. Alongside Kunis, other notable stars have been linked to the part, including Margot Robbie, Jodie Comer, Kristen Bell, Allison Williams, and numerous other highly regarded actresses. Moreover, a host of acclaimed actors, such as Ryan Gosling, Adam Driver, Austin Butler, and Paul Mescal, have been considered for the roles of Reed Richards or Johnny Storm. Meanwhile, rumors suggest that Daveed Diggs is the top contender for the role of Ben Grimm.
As anticipation builds for the arrival of the Fantastic Four in the MCU, fans eagerly await the official announcement of the cast. With such an array of talent being considered, the choices made by Marvel Studios are sure to make a significant impact on the future of the franchise.
