Casting the Fantastic Four for the MCU

“We didn’t have time to talk about the Fantastic Four”, Kevin Feige said to a screaming crowd at SDCC. Marvel’s First Family is coming. Not in Phase Four but probably soon after that. Ever since the failed reboot and even prior, fans have been clamoring for the team to join the expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe and, with Disney’s recent acquisition of Fox, this is finally possible and Feige will waste no time capitalizing on the opportunity. Rumors have been swirling of everything from a possible 60’s setting to a more cosmic setting compared to past forays. But who will play these beloved heroes when they return to screens for the third time?

Andrew Lincoln as Reed Richards

So it should be obvious already that I am going for a more experienced team than the previous iteration, based on the Ultimate version of the franchise. I was going back and forth between Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) and Doctor Who’s Matt Smith. But I want a more worn Reed Richards this time around. Someone who has seen the universe and looks at it with the cold hard logic only experience can afford you. Ultimately, I chose the former because he can bring the same rugged sensibilities he brought to Rick Grimes.

Yvonne Strahovski as Sue Storm

I am a big fan of The Handmaid’s Tale and am surprised that Strahovski isn’t being offered more roles as a result of her incredibly ruthless performance. She is ready to take on action roles, having starred in Chuck for five seasons, but also just simply really looks like Sue Storm. She is more than ready to make her jump to the big screen.

Dacre Montgomery as Johnny Storm

I will admit that I stole this from Syfy’s recent article on the same subject (I swear I have been planning to write this for awhile though). But since his surge in popularity from Stranger Things, it seems that many have been calling for Montgomery to play the younger Storm. And it’s clear why. He’s got the smooth charm and boyish good looks that are synonymous with the character. Plus he certainly deserves a chance at big-screen redemption after the Power Rangers.

Ben Foster as Ben Grimm

Who will be the man behind the rocks? Ben Foster has starred in countless films showing a range of different characters. He was brooding and protective in Leave No Trace and deranged and quirky in Hell or High Water. Plus he’s already familiar with Marvel films having portrayed Warren Worthington in the original X-Men series. Foster would be perfect for mastering the complexities of Grimm even behind a layer of CGI.

Mark Hamill as Annihilus

Doctor Doom is an excellent villain and Kevin Feige should really approve Noah Hawley’s solo outing for the character. This would be a perfect way to introduce his mythos and then allow it to collide with the Fantastic Four in their inevitable sequel. But the first film should take a break from this mainstay and instead bring the team to a more cosmic setting and pit them against Annihilus. I’m going to assume the character will be mostly animated and with that in mind a talented voice actor like Mark Hamill would fit this role perfectly.

Ed Harris as Victor Von Doom

With that said, Doctor Doom has to show up eventually. This version of the character needs to really play up his roots as the despotic ruler of the medieval-esque state of Latveria (or maybe Sokovia?) In films like Snowpiercer and The Truman Show, Ed Harris has shown himself to be a ruthless leader and his most recent turn as the Man in Black on Westworld proves he is the ultimate villain actor.

Written by Nicole Perlman and Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Perlman, who co-wrote Guardians of the Galaxy and developed the story for Captain Marvel, has proven she has a vast knowledge of Marvel’s cosmic universe which is very important to expand the reach of the Fantastic Four. Having already worked as a dedicated member of the MCU team, she more than deserves a chance to take charge of such an important story to the future of the franchise.

Meanwhile, Vaughn has similar experience with the X-Men franchise, having directed the extremely popular First Class and is no stranger to comic-based movies in general from his work on Kick-Ass and the Kingsman franchise. He has a talent for creating blockbusters that are fun and unique which is why he’d be perfect for this role as well.