According to Variety, 20th Century Fox has found the actors that will bring the Fantastic Four to life in the next big screen adaptation.
Probably the biggest disappointment in the story at Variety is that it makes it out that the cast has already signed the deal, which in fact, not all have.
Miles Teller, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell will join Michael B. Jordan in the latest installment in the comic book franchise.
Kara Mara (House of Cards) has signed a deal to play Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, but Jamie Bell (Jumpter) hasn’t received a firm offer to play Benn Grimm, and Miles Teller (Footloose) is still negotiating his contract to play Reid Richards/Mr. Fantastic. Michael B. Jordan (The Wire) was cast as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch a while ago.
While Bell and Teller may still be negotiating, everyone seems to think this is a sure thing, which means the comment section is now ready and waiting for your thoughts and reactions on the casting news. To give you an even bigger incentive to write, write, write, once again, this Fantastic Four movie is based on the Ultimate Universe.
The Fantastic Four is directed by Josh Trank (Chronicle ) and is expected to arrive in theaters on June 19, 2015.
23 Comments
I would rather have a Incredible sequel.
Sooo… Was Johnny Storm adopted in this version?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for racial diversity in super hero genres (lord know’s it’s needed), I just would not have pegged Johnny Storm for a race-lift.
Not necessarily, this can happen with mixed races parents, in fact I think it’s what they should have done in the first 2 movies with Jessica Alba.
Or Sue…
This makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever. They take the WHITEST guy in the entire Marvel U, blonde-haired blue eyed Johnny Storm and just so that they can generate some buzz and be “inclusive” they cast an African American actor to play the part. This is the freaking FANTASTIC FOUR. This is not like “rebooting” The DCU to include Cyborg as one of the original JLA members instead of Martian Manhunter due tot he popularity of the character. It’s not like Marvel wasn’t the most liberal of comic companies as well since the entire X-Men series was based on the civil rights movement. You don’t change the basic premise of the FF. Reed Richards is an altruistic manipulative egghead, Sue Storm Richards is true tough hiding behind a facade. Johnny Storm is a hot-tempered adrenaline junkie and Ben Grimm is a tough, NY Jewish guy that’s become a real-life Golem. PERIOD. It’s not like using the Ultimates Nick Fury in the movies instead of the “regular” Marvel Fury because as legendary as Fury is, he’s not a pop culture icon like the FF. I’ve had it with this and if this cast stays then the Avengers and X-Men franchises can just keep taking my money.
I get where you’re coming from. Being a black man myself, I think I would flip my lid if anyone decided to make Black Panther a white guy. That being said, however, I don’t think they COULD realistically change the Black Panther because his being black is ESSENTIAL to his character. It’s part of what makes that character function within his corner of the Marvel Universe. But what about Johnny Storm? Does the same ring true? I don’t agree that Johnny Storm is the “whitest guy in the entire Marvel U.” Meaning, I don’t feel that his character traits are derived from his cultural background–a cultural background that is never clearly defined in the comics, I might add. Essentially, does it MATTER that he is white? No. I don’t think it does. Johnny is and always has been a playboy, hothead, showboat and prankster. Those are qualities that are found in a myriad of cultures and many different races. Not one thing about him screams “white guy.”
Of course, if you’re frustrated because they’re changing a character that you could immediately relate to because he looks like you, then you’re starting to see exactly WHY racial and cultural representation is so important. And in this day and age, when there are obviously people of colour reading comics and participating in the four colour landscape, it’s essential that more than one colour appears on the screen.
They should have just made Sue AND Johnny black. I bet people would have less probs with that or how about Reed being black. As a white guy :) id have no prob with either one of those scenarios because your right; there is nothing about those characters that says the must be a certain race like Black Panther (great example.) But 1 sibling being black and the other being lilly white is just strange and Im not really digging it. I feel like they wil have to devote some amount (possible a very small amount) of time to explain how they can be siblings. Even as one poster mentioned that mixed race couples children can come out dif completions I dont thinks its a common enough occurrence that it wont need explaining even if thats the explanation. Basically they have created a bulit-in problem with the story with doesnt bode well for the movie.
Great points, Lapis. It does create a plot point that many will want addressed but I feel like it can be tackled quickly and effectively. My feeling is they’ll likely go the adoption route, more than anything else. That said, I’d love to see them explore them being half-siblings or something. I know it will take SOME screen time away from the movie action but I feel like it’s an important enough statement that, if handled properly, it could be excellent.
Let’s hope the writers are up to the task.
One more thing. Can we get a Black Panther movie already?! At least an appearance! Red Falcon please!
Just so you know, Falcon will be in the Winter Soldier this year! Progress!
You’ve really hit the nail on the head that the reason why people accept a black Nick Fury is because he’s not one of the main characters. Basically he can be black because nobody cares. That’s why we got a black Perry White and a girl Jimmy Olson. That casting, changing up side characters for the sake of diversity, is the problem. Making one of the main characters black is actually a big, risky, brave step in the right direction.
Also Lindsay AM’s response is really on-point. Good work.
Awwww…. this is why I love Major Spoilers. I made the mistake of reading the comments on other sites posting this, and it just made me sad for humanity. But here? GASP! Sensitivity and reasoned discourse! HUZZAH!
I am part of an interracial relationship myself, so I am very excited that this is happening in general. The thing that makes me sad is that this will have to addressed in the movie, because most people won’t accept it at face value. Like Lapis said, they will have to devote screen time to explain the disparity rather than spending more time having them do awesome super hero stuff. It stinks that everyone is focusing on this, rather than if he’s the right choice because of his acting talent.
I’d also like to echo Brent’s comment! Major Spoilers is the best comic site on the internet for exactly this reason.
Thanks Mike – Keep spreading the word about the site and our podcasts – we need more great fans like you to encourage us to work harder and better for you!
bother and sister right make them both black or both white
or have Michael B. Jordan play the Read richards role and not the hot head
simples
Arbitrarily changing characters purely for “diversity” (by that I mean the buzz from being diverse, not the cause itself) is terrible and disrespectful to the source material. Ugh.
it’s fox what did you expect
So, I played the game of “who’s playing who” just from looking at the pictures, and I got them all wrong except Sue. I thought the guy on the left was Johnny, Michael B. Jordan was Ben, and the guy on the right was Reed.
Honestly? I’m most upset about Reed’s casting. Come on, Fox… does he LOOK like he’s smarter than Iron Man? NO.
No problem with Torch being black, but then Sue should be also!
Totally agree with several posters above. If we’re giving the Human Torch a quote unquote race lift, at least maintain a little internal consistency with Sue. Don’t get me wrong, though. Loved Mara in House of Cards, and really looking forward to seeing what she does on screen. But looking at the other people who are supposedly in talks makes Jordan feel like an afterthought casting decision than one that was properly motivated.
Black and or gay characters should have Original roles not hand me downs. There’s no need to slap black face or gay face on an established characters.
Wild Wild West vs Django.. nuff said.
They certainly found four people, how fantastic this is going to be is questionable.