Fantastic Four Cast Criticizes Snow White, Pedro Pascal’s Trans Comments Stir Controversy

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In the latest interview with the cast of the new “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” it seems that, despite the controversy surrounding Disney’s live-action version of “Snow White” in terms of both artistic and political aspects, the cast of this new Fantastic Four film might face a similar fate. For instance, their comments about Human Torch suggest a potentially challenging journey for this production.

Johnny Storm, Marvel’s depiction of a hotheaded teenager, has been open to various interpretations throughout the years. In the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four films, for example, Chris Evans portrayed him as a bit of a ladies’ man and a rogue. However, Quinn decided to take a different approach.

He often comes across as quite boastful, which can be offensive at times, but he’s also humorous,” Quinn notes. “When Kevin Feige and I discussed earlier versions of him and our cultural context, we agreed that the old portrayal as a womanizer might not appeal as much nowadays. This new interpretation of Johnny is more considerate towards others’ feelings, and perhaps there’s an element of self-awareness behind his attention-seeking actions.

It’s true that Johnny is the younger sibling of the Fantastic Four, as observed by Quinn, but there are other characteristics that set him apart.

Shakman states, “He’s extremely intelligent.” He’s aboard that spaceship for a significant purpose, and it seems people occasionally overlook this fact in different comic narratives. Despite consistently using humor to undermine his heroic image, he has been one of the most valiant characters, often displaying heroism hidden beneath comedic elements. He’s Sue’s sibling, which means they share a common character trait.

It’s troubling enough that it seems Johnny is being characterized as predominantly abusive towards women. However, there’s a question whether they’re also suggesting it’s inappropriate to present him as both comedic and heroic. If this reasoning holds true, then portraying Spider-Man as a character who made humorous quips was incorrect too. If the movie doesn’t show Johnny dating or romancing any women, then progress is slow. If Fandral from Thor hasn’t received similar treatment yet, I worry about how they might handle another Thor film. Lastly, here’s Vanessa Kirby explaining her portrayal of Sue Storm, Reed Richards’ sister and wife:

It’s problematic if Johnny is being shown as just abusive to women, but there’s a hint that he should not be funny or heroic too. This would mean Spider-Man’s humor was wrong. If the movie doesn’t show Johnny with any female partners, it’s moving slowly. Fandral from Thor hasn’t been treated this way yet, which makes me concerned about future Thor films. Vanessa Kirby discusses her role as Sue Storm, Reed Richards’ sister and wife:

Reaching worldwide political harmony might seem slightly more challenging than weaving together Sue Storm’s fictional history spanning several decades. As Marvel’s first female superhero, she has been an integral part of the Fantastic Four since its debut. However, at that time, she was saddled with the somewhat degrading nickname “Invisible Girl,” her powers were limited to becoming invisible, and she often found herself in distress-requiring situations.

I tried to maintain the original meaning while making it more accessible for a wider audience.

Vanessa Kirby mentions that if a character like Sue from the ’60s was portrayed today, people might think she’s too submissive. However, understanding and portraying how her character symbolized something different to various generations, given their varying gender dynamics, was one of the most enjoyable aspects of this role for her.

Over time, Sue has undergone numerous transformations. Her skills have grown from the ability to become invisible individually to mastery over electromagnetic light and force fields, which makes her one of the most potent team members. At different points, she’s taken on roles as a mother, a leader, and a character named Malice (a dominatrix). Combining all these facets into a single character was an enjoyable challenge for Kirby, who found that motherhood, especially, served as the central theme. In fact, Sue’s pregnancy will significantly influence the storyline in First Steps.

Matt and I recognized that, in these typical superhero roles for women, there hasn’t been much representation of mothers with babies, Kirby points out. “What I adore most about Sue’s history is when she transforms into Malice, revealing her dark side,” Kirby continues. “I was captivated by this phase of her life. Therefore, I wanted to infuse elements of Malice into her character, ensuring she wasn’t just the stereotypical sweet, loving mother.

Kirby goes on to express, “I’ve been fascinated by the complexities of femininity and finding a way to embody both aspects. It’s not just about portraying strong, indestructible, powerful women, but also mothers who experience the incredible feat of childbirth – another heroic act in its own right. I appreciate that these characters are shown as real people, complete with family squabbles and making mistakes.

If the character Sue is depicted as a mix of villainy while maintaining a maternal role and femininity, I’m unsure how that can be harmonized. As expected, the interview does not make it clear how Sue acquired additional powers beyond invisibility, with force shields being introduced two years later, transforming her from a damsel in distress into a more empowered character. However, these developments did not diminish her femininity. I’m left wondering what the purpose of this portrayal is. It seems that Kirby and his team are interpreting everything through a lens that only highlights their desired aspects, and it doesn’t appear they are acknowledging the debt they owe to Lee and Kirby for creating these characters in the past.

The similarity between the depiction of Malice and the Phoenix Saga from X-Men is troubling, as it seems that yet another classic comic is being mishandled by Hollywood. For years, I’ve been concerned about how certain creators draw inspiration for their work, and this looks set to be another disappointing example. It’s also frustrating that Kirby appears to be typecast as a sexually seductive villainess, which is problematic because it reinforces the idea that women can only be portrayed as sexy if they are criminal characters. This is concerning, especially when darkness is being used as inspiration. The fact that this trend seems likely to continue in the latest adaptation of this comic only underscores my fear that the lightness and originality of the source material will be overshadowed by a focus on darkness.

Breitbart also notes:

The upcoming film “Fantastic Four: First Steps” has raised concerns due to one of its main actors, Pedro Pascal, who is well-known for roles in Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, and The Last of Us. He recently made a statement saying “A world without trans people has never existed and never will,” and then criticized fans who disagreed with his stance, causing controversy among some viewers.

As a fan, I can’t help but express my disappointment when actors hired by studios use their platforms to make controversial political statements during filming and promotion, especially for projects as iconic as the Fantastic Four. It seems that this latest adaptation has followed the same pattern, resulting in a production that I believe is best avoided, given its divisive nature. This unfortunate trend is a far cry from the original vision of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, and another blow to the legacy these creators have left us.

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2025-04-21 16:15