Recent comments regarding The Fantastic Four: First Steps have reignited discussions about the potential return of John Krasinski as Mister Fantastic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As an avid fan who has long advocated for Krasinski to take on the role of Reed Richards, I find this news incredibly exciting. While he is predominantly recognized for his comedic performance as Jim Halpert in The Office, Krasinski has demonstrated his capability to portray a more serious character through projects like Jack Ryan on Prime Video. His unique blend of humor and drama would undoubtedly enhance some of the best films in the MCU.

My enthusiasm peaked when Marvel actually cast him as Reed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Unfortunately, that appearance was a standalone moment, with Pedro Pascal taking the lead as the new Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Despite the untimely demise of Krasinski’s character, the expansive nature of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga keeps the possibility of his return alive. After a period of silence regarding this topic, I was thrilled to hear new insights from the director of the upcoming Fantastic Four film that rekindled my hopes for Krasinski’s return to the MCU.

Matt Shakman Shares His Marvel Comics Inspirations Behind The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Jonathan Hickman’s Impact on the MCU Continues to Expand

Marvel Studios has consistently drawn inspiration from its rich comic book history, utilizing key storylines, character designs, and costume concepts to craft compelling narratives within the MCU. As the iconic First Family of Marvel, the Fantastic Four will make their highly-anticipated entrance into the franchise through a film that takes significant cues from the team’s classic tales originating in the 1960s. However, director Matt Shakman has also indicated that a more contemporary interpretation of the Fantastic Four will play a crucial role in shaping the film. In a recent interview, he revealed that the acclaimed comic book series penned by Jonathan Hickman has greatly influenced the direction he intends to pursue.

Shakman wrote the foreword for the release of Fantastic Four: Solve Everything in the Marvel Premiere Collection. In it, he elaborates on how he developed a deep appreciation for Hickman’s interpretation of the characters within the Fantastic Four series. He frequently revisited Hickman’s storyline while collaborating on the script for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. One particularly intriguing aspect of Shakman’s insights was his excitement for the mind-bending ideas presented, such as the Council of Reeds. Additionally, Shakman confirmed that The Bridge, a device enabling Reed to access alternate realities, will be featured in the MCU film.

Discover the Council of Reeds: The Marvel Comics Origins of This Unique Team

The MCU’s Multiverse Saga Provides the Ideal Platform for the Team’s Introduction

Prior to the recent changes surrounding Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, the MCU had plans for the Council of Kangs to play a pivotal role in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. This council was initially introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, consisting of various Kang variants from across the multiverse. The Council of Reeds, similarly, is a multiversal assembly made up of Reed Richards from different universes who unite for a common purpose. While their presence made perfect sense in the context of combating the Council of Kangs, they can still serve a significant role in the MCU’s narrative.

The primary objective of the Council of Reeds in the comics is to “solve everything.” The variants of Mister Fantastic who comprise this group are credited with creating The Bridge, a mechanism that allows Reed to observe other realities. Interestingly, the director of The Fantastic Four: First Steps has expressed his enthusiasm for the concept of the Council of Reeds and is incorporating The Bridge into the MCU. This inclusion opens up exciting possibilities for the team’s appearance in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, a potential sequel, or even within one of the Avengers films in the Multiverse Saga. Additionally, the Council of Reeds has a history of lobotomizing their multiversal counterparts of Doctor Doom.

Advocating for John Krasinski’s Return as Reed Richards in the MCU

Marvel Studios Should Provide the Actor with a More Compelling Storyline

For years, John Krasinski emerged as the top choice among fans for the role of Reed Richards in the MCU. Marvel Studios took note of this widespread enthusiasm, leading to Krasinski becoming the first portrayal of Mister Fantastic to grace the franchise. My excitement was palpable when Krasinski’s Reed made his appearance as a member of Earth-838’s Illuminati in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This moment marked a significant milestone in the overarching multiverse narrative of the MCU, and in the brief time he portrayed the character, it became evident that Krasinski possesses the qualities necessary to embody Reed Richards superbly.

Nonetheless, as we all know, this opportunity was tragically short-lived. Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch proved to be far too formidable of an adversary for Mister Fantastic, leading to his swift demise at her hands during her rampage across the multiverse in pursuit of her children. While it may be argued that her actions were believable, it was still incredibly disheartening to witness the culmination of years of fan casting, seeing Krasinski deliver a remarkable rendition of Reed Richards, only to have it taken away in a matter of minutes. Both Krasinski and the fans undeniably deserved a more satisfying experience than what transpired.

In reflecting on his brief tenure in the MCU, John Krasinski expressed his admiration for the Marvel universe, stating, “I’m a big fan of all those characters and that world.” Given his evident enthusiasm and the excellence of his portrayal, I would absolutely love to see him return for a more significant role. Despite the character’s death, the multiverse provides a plausible avenue for another variant of Mister Fantastic that resembles Krasinski. With the potential arrival of the Council of Reeds, there exists a perfect opportunity for Krasinski to reclaim his place in the MCU and even share the screen with Pedro Pascal’s version of Reed Richards.

Exploring the Possibility of Other Reed Variants Returning to the MCU

The MCU Should Delve into the Rich History of the Fantastic Four’s Live-Action Adaptations

The concept of the Council of Reeds not only allows for the potential return of Krasinski’s version of Mister Fantastic but also opens the door to reintroducing other iterations of the character. The recent resurgence of Chris Evans as Johnny Storm from the earlier Fantastic Four films in Deadpool & Wolverine stands as a testament to the MCU’s ability to integrate prior actors into its narrative seamlessly. I would enthusiastically welcome a similar revival of the original cast from the 2000s Fantastic Four movies before the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga. Ioan Gruffudd was an ideal choice for Reed Richards, and had Marvel Studios opted to bring him back for the MCU’s upcoming adaptation of the Fantastic Four, I would have readily embraced that decision.

Gruffudd’s portrayal could credibly position him as one of the variants who contributed to the creation of The Bridge, potentially making him a member of the Council of Reeds. Furthermore, another possibility for Marvel is to resurrect Miles Teller’s Reed Richards from the poorly received 2015 Fantastic Four reboot. Though my memories of that film are not particularly fond, Teller is a talented actor with the capability to effectively bring to life the Maker version of Reed, an evil incarnation of the character, which could create significant challenges for the team in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Comprehensive List of Announced Upcoming MCU Movies