John Malkovich will not be appearing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
This month, Marvel Studios’ movie titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” will hit theaters. Led by director Matt Shakman, this film features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch.
In May 2024, it became public knowledge that John Malkovich was part of the cast for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Although his specific role wasn’t disclosed, trailers for the film hinted at his appearance. Marvel Cinematic Universe enthusiasts speculated whether his character had been eliminated from the movie following the deletion of his name from The Walt Disney Company’s official cast list on their website.
What did Matt Shakman say about John Malkovich and Fantastic Four?
In the conversation, Shakman verified that Malkovich was, in fact, removed from the cast of The Fantastic Four: Initial Phases.
As reported by Variety, John Malkovich portrayed Red Ghost in certain opening sequences of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Shakman, the director, praised Malkovich’s performance, stating it was “exceptional” and “gave it his best,” but he later concluded that his character didn’t mesh well with the overall narrative.
Shakman explained that when creating a ’60s-inspired future setting, incorporating multiple villains, four main characters, and exploring them individually as well as together, plus introducing a child character, there were many elements to manage in this movie. Consequently, some aspects had to be eliminated during the process of refining the film for its final version.
I found it deeply painful to leave him out of the final cut of the movie. He’s not only one of my most cherished individuals but also a significant source of inspiration for me. As someone straddling the boundary between theater, film, and television, there’s no one more inspiring than the founder of Steppenwolf Theater Company. His performances on stage and his directorial work in both theater and film have left an indelible mark on me. It was a privilege to have him as part of our project.
Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits United States theaters on July 25, 2025.
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2025-07-16 22:10