Renowned actor John Malkovich was initially slated to make an impactful appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ivan Kragoff, commonly known as the Red Ghost, in the highly anticipated film The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Fans were even treated to a brief look at Malkovich in the first teaser trailer. However, in a recent interview with Variety, director Matt Shakman revealed that Malkovich’s role has been regrettably cut from the final version of the film, leaving fans wondering about the potential impact of this decision.
Malkovich was set to play a significant part in an early sequence where the Fantastic Four confront the Red Ghost and his formidable Super-Apes. Shakman elaborated, stating, “There were many elements that ultimately ended up hitting the cutting room floor. ” He continued, “As we crafted a ’60s retro-future world, it became crucial to introduce not only these formidable villains but also the four main characters, both as a cohesive group and as individuals. The narrative also needed to incorporate the concept of a child, creating a complex web of storylines that required careful balancing. Some elements, unfortunately, had to be sacrificed to shape the film into its final version.”
Shakman went on to praise Malkovich, calling him “brilliant” and expressing admiration for his dedication, stating that he “gave it his all.” This made the decision to exclude him from the final cut even more “heartbreaking” for the director, highlighting the emotional weight of the decision and Malkovich’s artistic contributions.
“It was truly heartbreaking not to include him in the final version of the movie because he’s one of my very favorite humans and a significant inspiration in my life,” Shakman reflected. “As an individual who straddles the realms of theater, film, and television, there are few who inspire me more than the legendary founder of Steppenwolf Theater Company. His remarkable achievements on stage as an actor and director in theater, combined with his extraordinary film performances, make it an honor that he agreed to participate.”
Considering Malkovich’s history of declining roles in Marvel productions, it’s particularly unfortunate that he was removed from a project he ultimately accepted, leaving fans to speculate about what could have been.
The official synopsis for The Fantastic Four: First Steps reads: “Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”
Fans can mark their calendars as the film is set to hit theaters on July 25, promising an exhilarating cinematic experience.
