You Won’t Believe These Actors Were Once Rumored For 2015’s Fantastic Four Movie

As a longtime comic book fan and someone who has followed the industry for decades, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when reflecting on the various casting rumors surrounding the 2015 version of Fantastic Four. The potential roster of actors that could have graced our screens as the First Family is truly mind-boggling, with some names being more fitting than others for their respective characters.

For instance, I’m particularly intrigued by the idea of Margot Robbie playing Sue Storm. Given her incredible talent and charisma, it would have been fascinating to see her take on the role of a heroine who is both powerful and emotionally vulnerable. Similarly, Eddie Redmayne as Doctor Doom could have been a brilliant choice, offering a unique twist on the classic villain while showcasing his versatility as an actor.

However, some of these casting rumors were more outlandish than others, like the one suggesting that a woman could play Victor von Doom. While it’s always exciting to see gender-swapped characters in modern adaptations, I’m not entirely sure how well it would have worked for Doom, a character who is so deeply rooted in his malevolent masculinity.

Overall, though, the casting choices made for the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot seem like they will pay off handsomely. Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm are all talented actors who have proven themselves in previous roles. I’m excited to see how they bring these iconic characters to life on the big screen and can’t wait for their first steps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Oh, and just one more thing – if only we could have seen Margot Robbie as Sue Storm and Eddie Redmayne as Doctor Doom in a different universe… I bet they would’ve made quite the dynamic duo!

Approaching swiftly is the debut of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, marking the tenth year since a Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four film last appeared in cinemas. The 2015 Fantastic Four, helmed by Josh Trank, remains notorious as a debacle that not even the star power of Michael B. Jordan could rescue. Shrouded in a dismal ambiance and lacking distinctive character traits, it also suffered from an abundance of underwhelming visual effects and is now universally regarded as a comic book movie flop.

As a passionate film buff, I can’t help but reflect on the rollercoaster ride that was the development of “Fantastic Four.” Before it morphed into a pop culture meme, it was a highly anticipated superhero movie from the X-Men studio. Naturally, with Marvel adaptation in its sights, a host of A-list actors were once linked to the project. I mean, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to be part of the next big thing?

Fast forward ten years, and the “what if?” casting scenarios surrounding these potential Fantastic Four cast members are intriguing indeed. Little did they know then that they had narrowly avoided a significant setback!

Josh Gad as Ben Grimm/The Thing

In early 2014, an unanticipated contender for the role of Ben Grimm/The Thing in the Fantastic Four series surfaced: Josh Gad. Interestingly enough, this revelation came shortly after Gad gained immense popularity with his portrayal of Olaf the Snowman in Frozen. Prior to this, he had collaborated with 20th Century Fox on comedies like The Rocker and The Internship. Given his comic background, it’s not hard to see why he seemed like a suitable choice for The Thing. However, he lacked the roughness inherent in the character, and at the age of 32, was considered too old to play a high school version of The Thing. Director Josh Trank then swiftly clarified that this casting wasn’t accurate, thus preventing any potential merging of Frozen and Fantastic Four storylines.

An interesting trivia: Had this casting taken place, Gad would have been the first actor of Jewish ancestry to play the openingly Jewish superhero ‘The Thing’, surpassing Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s 2025 portrayal.

Kit Harington as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic

Prior to Dane Whitman’s involvement in Eternals, it was reported that Kit Harington was among those auditioning for the role of Reed Richards in Fantastic Four. This information surfaced just three years after Harington gained significant recognition as an actor through Game of Thrones, explaining why he might have been considered by Fox. However, Trank and his team ultimately decided to cast Miles Teller, who had previously starred in films from the early 2010s high school movie genre, over Jon Snow for the role of Richards.

Saoirse Ronan as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman

In 2013, there were rumors that Saoirse Ronan was being considered for a part in the Fantastic Four movie, specifically as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman. Already an Academy Award nominee for Atonement, Ronan might have given the Fantastic Four film more credibility than just being viewed as a money-making remake. Instead, Kate Mara ended up getting that role. Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time that Saoirse Ronan was linked to superhero roles. Towards the end of the 2010s, she was rumored to be one of the contenders for Yelena in Black Widow, but her involvement with superhero films ended there. In October 2024, Saoirse Ronan publicly expressed that she didn’t see herself fitting in superhero movies.

Margot Robbie as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman

Kyle Buchanan’s 2022 book, “Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road,” includes an entertaining tale shared by a casting director about Margot Robbie’s exceptional audition for one of Immortan Joe’s wives. It was just one of many impressive auditions that Robbie aced during the early 2010s, and her association with prominent film roles was further solidified as she was an early contender for this version of Sue Storm. This information surfaced months before Robbie gained widespread recognition in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Remarkably, being cast in a Martin Scorsese movie wasn’t necessary for her to be considered for a significant superhero film role!

Eddie Redmayne as Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom

Just under a year following his performance in “Les Miserables” that catapulted him to fame, Eddie Redmayne emerged as one of the final four contenders for Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom in Trank’s Fantastic Four. This casting choice now seems intriguing, hinting at a possible alternate career path for Redmayne. After clinching an Oscar for The Theory of Everything, Redmayne shifted his focus to portraying heroic characters in films like the Fantastic Beasts series and The Aeronauts. If he had landed the role of Doctor Doom instead, Redmayne might have followed in the footsteps of numerous British actors and established himself as a favorite for villainous roles in American genre productions. However, Trank and his team ultimately chose Toby Kebbell to play Doctor Doom in this adaptation.

A Potential Lady Actor as Victor von Doom

In a somewhat unconventional twist in the world of Fantastic Four speculation, there was chatter online about 20th Century Fox considering a female actor for the role of Victor von Doom. It’s fascinating to ponder over the potential actresses who could have brought their own flair to a character whose final form lacked distinctive appeal. The idea of Gad as The Thing and this rumor were both swiftly debunked by director Trank on social media. However, the mere existence of such a rumor sheds light on the unusual creative process surrounding the Fantastic Four. Even a well-known comic book villain came close to undergoing a gender change, indicating the ambiguity surrounding actor choices and character details during its development.

In terms of the current version of Marvel’s original team, the upcoming movie titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” features Pedro Pascal portraying Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. The film is set to hit theaters on July 25th.

2025-01-02 07:10