These eight actors, who could play Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, have been mentioned in numerous reports for the MCU’s Fantastic Four.
The Marvel First Family’s roles might be some of the most significant ones currently available in Hollywood as Marvel Studios is ready to release its Fantastic Four revival under WandaVision director Matt Shakman. After all, the question of who should play these characters in the MCU has been debated by fans for years.
After John Krasinski, unquestionably the most well-known fan cast, made his Mr. Fantastic debut in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a Variant on Earth-838, Reed Richards has become a particularly hot topic. However, it appears it was a one-and-done deal since a fresh actor is now being sought after.
Casting for the Fantastic Four appears to be progressing ahead of a production start that might occur later this year or early in 2024, with the reboot movie scheduled for release in February 2025. So, in advance of the announcement, which most people anticipate will occur this year, here are all the actors reported to play Mr. Fantastic.
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Glenn Howerton
Sunny’s Always There Glenn Howerton is at the center of Fantastic Four theories, and some amusing renditions even place the entire cast of the comedy as the First Family of Marvel. Howerton even has an advantage because It’s Always Sunny director Matt Shakman worked on Fantastic Four.
In response to the speculations, Howerton stated that it would be “very exciting” to collaborate with Matt Shakman once more, referring to him as a “close friend,” and adding that he would “welcome that phone call.”
Unfortunately, Howerton is probably too old to be considered for the role of Reed Richards because he is already 46 years old. In ten years, the It’s Always Sunny actor might have been the ideal pick, but because Marvel Studios probably wants this actor to stay in the industry for at least ten years, he may have outgrown the part.
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Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill recently discovered his calendar looking much more open after losing the role of Superman just months after regaining it, much to the dismay of many. With his work at DC and on The Witcher coming to an end, he might finally be free to join the MCU, as his supporters have long hoped.
A video of Cavill showcasing his nerdy side by custom-building a PC went viral when it was reported that he was in negotiations for a role at Marvel Studios. Some fans interpreted this as a home audition for Reed Richards, aiming to show that despite his muscular appearance, he can pull off the super brilliant lab rat side.
Dev Patel
Giant Freakin’ Robot published yet another rumor about Dev Patel possibly negotiating for the lead part in Fantastic Four a month ago. As a British actor of Indian descent, Patel would likely deviate significantly from the traditional comic’s path, but that doesn’t imply he would be a terrible choice.
Patel, who at a young age rose to fame and received plaudits for his leading part in Slumdog Millionaire, has not yet earned the important Hollywood job he deserves. Since Fantastic Four is still talked about today, Patel’s star power and talent may be exactly what it needs to stand out.
John David Washington
Tenet released a pandemic that caused it to fly under the radar more than it should have, but John David Washington emerged from it as a star. Like they do with every famous face in Hollywood, fans immediately started fan-casting him as different superheroes, such as Mr. Fantastic.
Washington was reportedly in discussions for Mr. Fantastic two years ago, according to Giant Freakin’ Robot, but it is likely untrue given that Marvel Studios is only now appearing to be casting Marvel’s First Family. Given that, it’s possible that Washington will be included in the mix.
Diego Luna
Diego Luna, an actor who plays Andor, was recently mentioned by an insider as a leading candidate to play Reed Richards. In response to these speculations, Luna called the sheer volume of allegations he keeps getting sucked into “amazing.”
Although Luna—a Mexican actor—might not be the typical option for Reed Richards, his Oscar-nominated Star Wars performance has surely elevated him to Disney’s top-of-mind list for future major roles.
Luna may not be the best choice for this specific job, though, given that he previously stated he will be “busy” for the upcoming two years and isn’t even sure he wants to continue acting after that.
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling’s interest in joining Marvel Studios has long been rumored, particularly for the Sentry role in Thunderbolts. However, insider Jeff Sneider recently asserted that Gosling might actually be sought after for an unspecified role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Fantastic Four.
After two uneven Fox incarnations, Ryan Gosling and his enormous brand might be just what Marvel Studios needs to revive the Fantastic Four. It is considerably more difficult to determine whether Reed Richards is a job he would be suitable for or even interested in committing to for the long term.
Adam Driver
A few months ago, Adam Driver from Star Wars unexpectedly appeared as a potential Reed Richards replacement in the MCU. The driver is currently Marvel Studios‘ top pick for the position, according to The Direct’s own sources.
The Star Wars actor has proven to be very talented throughout the years, earning two Oscar nominations at the young age of 39.
But because of his portrayal of Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, he also has the advantage of already having a working relationship with Disney.
Penn Badgley
The actor Penn Badgley, who starred in Netflix’s You, has been linked to the role of Mr. Fantastic in the MCU for some time, in part because of various rumors and also because he closely resembles Reed Richards’ iconic comic character design.
With Season 4 of You premiering in February, Badgley will definitely repeat her incredible work from the first three seasons of the show. This could improve his chances of getting the MCU lead role because he becomes popular once more just as Marvel Studios is casting the Fantastic Four.
When Will the MCU’s Fantastic Four Cast Be Announced?
Fantastic Four is currently scheduled to release and kick off Phase 6 in February 2025, assuming Marvel Studios avoids any further delays. Based on the MCU’s usual production schedule, filming should begin at the end of this year or at the beginning of 2024.
With casting already underway, the official Fantastic Four castings could simply appear in a report from one of the major Hollywood trade publications. However, given the excitement surrounding these roles, Marvel Studios may want to save their announcement for a major event in front of a live audience.
Because Disney’s D23 Expo is held bi-annually, with the next one scheduled for 2024, San Diego Comic-Con will be the only major opportunity this year. If the cast can be finalized and signed in time for July, this could be the most likely time for fans to hear about this cast.
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