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Everyone is buzzing with excitement as Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to make its theatrical debut soon, bringing the iconic superhero team back to the big screen.

After several years filled with fan casting, relentless speculation, and numerous delays, Marvel Studios has finally unveiled the eagerly awaited cast on Valentine’s Day 2024. This announcement introduced a diverse lineup of actors portraying the beloved characters Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, igniting a wave of enthusiasm among fans worldwide.

The Fantastic Four have previously appeared in films before. The 2005 and 2007 adaptations featured Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis—notably before Evans transitioned into his iconic role as Captain America, helping to initiate the modern Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Despite a 2015 reboot starring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell, which aimed to revive interest in the franchise, it failed to resonate with audiences, resulting in disappointing box office performance. After Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, the Fantastic Four officially returned to Marvel Studios.

With Fantastic Four: First Steps poised to welcome Marvel’s first family into the MCU, anticipation among fans has reached unprecedented heights. Hollywood Life is here to provide a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know before the film makes its grand premiere.

Meet the Talented Cast of the New ‘Fantastic Four’ Film

On February 14, 2024, Marvel Studios officially confirmed the cast for the Fantastic Four. A striking Valentine’s Day poster featuring the characters in their iconic roles was shared across various social media platforms. Here’s a look at the actors filling the pivotal roles: Pedro Pascal will portray Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby takes on the role of The Invisible Woman/Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn will be The Human Torch/Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will embody The Thing/Ben Grimm.

Jeff Sneider reported in August 2023 that both Vanessa and Joseph were being considered for the roles of siblings Sue and Johnny Storm. Vanessa is coming off her impressive portrayal as the White Widow in Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One and is widely recognized for her role as Princess Margaret in the initial seasons of The Crown. Additionally, she received an Oscar nomination for her powerful performance in Pieces of a Woman.

Joseph had his breakout moment as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things Season 4. He has been cast in the upcoming Gladiator sequel and also starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o in the Quiet Place prequel. His rising star status has made him a fan favorite.

Pedro Pascal had long been in discussions to portray Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards, as reported by Deadline. In the lead-up to the announcement, there were ongoing adjustments to scheduling, but negotiations appeared to be moving positively for The Last of Us star to assume the coveted role in the Fantastic Four. Currently, Pedro is engaged in filming The Last of Us season 2, further adding to his busy schedule.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach emerged as a late contender for the role of The Thing, garnering attention for his exceptional performance in the critically acclaimed series The Bear. His portrayal in the first two seasons of the FX show has catapulted him to fame, and he has previously received an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his outstanding role as Richie.

According to Jeff’s report, Marvel conducted secret screen tests for the role of Reed Richards before the SAG-AFTRA strike. Actors Christopher Abbott and Jamie Dornan were initially considered. However, Marvel expressed a desire for a “bigger name” and approached Jake Gyllenhaal for the role; unfortunately, he declined due to financial demands. Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige was also concerned about the cast’s diversity and sought to enhance representation in the selection process for Mr. Fantastic.

Jack Quaid’s name was frequently mentioned among fans for the role of Johnny Storm, but the star of The Boys took to Twitter to clarify the situation. “Hello everyone. Nope. Not playing Johnny Storm but hey I’m flattered. Now that you’re here though, donate to the @sagaftra foundation if you can!” he tweeted on August 3, 2023.

Hello everyone. Nope. Not playing Johnny Storm but hey I’m flattered. Now that you’re here though, donate to the @sagaftra foundation if you can! https://t.co/ertJTWWhYb

— Jack Quaid (@JackQuaid92) August 3, 2023

Regarding Mr. Fantastic, John Krasinski had been a highly favored choice for years, especially following his cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, it was also reported that House of the Dragon star Matt Smith was “in discussions” for the role, but insiders did not anticipate that deal to materialize. Furthermore, Adam Driver reportedly turned down the opportunity, while Dev Patel’s name appeared on the shortlist for Mr. Fantastic, according to film reporter Grace Randolph.

Mark Your Calendar: ‘Fantastic Four’ Release Date Announced

Fantastic Four is scheduled for release on July 25, 2025. The film will be directed by Matt Shakman, who is well-known for directing nine episodes of Disney+’s critically acclaimed series WandaVision. Initially, he was set to direct a Star Trek sequel, but he decided to take on the Fantastic Four project instead. Matt expressed to The Wrap in February 2023 that the opportunity to direct the Fantastic Four was “just too hard to pass up,” and he indicated that filming is anticipated to commence in early 2024.

The Future of Mr. Fantastic: Will John Krasinski Return?

No, Pedro Pascal is officially taking on the role of Mr. Fantastic in the upcoming 2025 film. Although John Krasinski previously portrayed the superhero, his brief tenure as Mr. Fantastic has concluded. The actor made a memorable cameo as Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, delighting a dedicated fan base that had long wished for his interpretation of Reed Richards. However, Krasinski’s version of Mr. Fantastic met a tragic fate at the hands of Wanda Maximoff in the film.

In December 2022, The Office alum discussed the potential for future involvement in the role. He stated that there had been no ongoing discussions about reprising his role. “There aren’t any discussions at all, the only discussion I had was actually in the second-to-last week of Jack Ryan,” John revealed to The Wrap. “Kevin Feige called and asked if I would fly to L.A. and play in our sandbox for a day? I was honored to do it. I flew right from Budapest when we wrapped and went right to the Doctor Strange set. I’m a big fan of all those characters and that world, so to get to play in that sandbox for one day was a real thrill.”