John Malkovich Turned Down Marvel Roles Before Fantastic Four (For Good Reason)

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As a seasoned movie critic, I can’t hide my excitement about John Malkovich joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” However, it seems this opportunity came to him later than expected. In an intriguing chat with GQ, the Oscar-nominated actor shed light on why he declined earlier offers from Marvel. Contrary to rumors about his creative stance towards the MCU, Malkovich’s decision was rooted in the terms of the studio’s contracts rather than artistic differences. To put it simply, the compensation wasn’t enticing enough for him to consider diving into the demanding world of Marvel productions. With the notoriety of their workloads, Malkovich prefers dedicating his time to other creative ventures if the financial incentive from Marvel is lacking.

Malkovich explained that his decision not to participate in those projects had nothing to do with artistic reasons. Instead, he found the deals they offered unappealing. He stated that making such films is physically demanding and if he’s expected to dangle from a crane for six months without fair compensation, he’d rather devote his time to stage performances, directing plays, or other activities. Malkovich agreed to work on ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ because he wished to collaborate with director Matt Shakman again, having previously worked together on ‘Cut Bank’.

The movie titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to premiere in theaters in July, marking the beginning of Phase Six for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This film is a significant part of the Multiverse Saga, as it introduces characters who will be crucial in future films such as “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”. Recently, Marvel Studios unveiled the first trailer for “First Steps”, which garnered over 200 million views within its initial 24 hours.

In the trailer, we see a character played by Malkovich, but it’s not clear which Marvel Comics Universe (MCU) character he might be representing. Fans have been guessing that Malkovich could be playing roles like Dr. Franklin Storm, Nathaniel Richards, or Red Ghost. It remains unclear if this enigmatic character will play a role in future MCU projects.

Despite the glamour associated with Hollywood blockbusters, issues of pay inequality continue to persist within the industry. Last month, Djimon Hounsou, an Oscar-nominee known for his roles in Marvel and DC films, made headlines when he shared that, despite decades of work, he’s still finding it challenging to make ends meet. Given this context, John Malkovich’s decision to turn down roles in Marvel in the past becomes clearer. His passions extend beyond the big screen, and if he dedicates several months to shooting a studio blockbuster, he wants to be adequately compensated for his efforts. John Malkovich’s history with Shakman made The Fantastic Four: First Steps more appealing to him. It would also be intriguing to learn if Marvel increased their salary offer to persuade the actor to join their project.

Regardless of how Marvel managed to secure Malkovich’s involvement, his participation in The Fantastic Four: First Steps can only be advantageous. Known for his versatility and ability to convincingly embody diverse characters, it will be intriguing to observe how he aligns with the film. Marvel may provide further hints about Malkovich’s character in future marketing materials for Fantastic Four, considering there’s likely to be plenty of promotional content leading up to its release. Given the MCU’s reputation for secrecy, fans might have to exercise patience until July to uncover all the details about Malkovich’s Marvel persona.

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2025-02-18 23:14