Get ready to meet Marvel’s First Family like never before: the new Fantastic Four cast brings together a powerhouse of talent with standout roles across film and TV, from Pedro Pascal’s gripping performances to Vanessa Kirby’s captivating range. Discover where to stream their best work before they take on the cosmic challenges of the MCU’s latest blockbuster, The Fantastic Four: First Steps-arriving July 25, 2025.
Pascal has become a household name after his roles in Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, and The Last of Us, and now he gets to anchor one of Marvel’s biggest properties. Reed Richards is basically the Marvel Universe’s collective father figure, even before he was an actual dad, so picking a man who’s spent most of the 2020s so far playing the most popular father figures in TV makes quite a bit of sense.
There’s not much else known about the movie at this time, besides that it will be directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and it’s slated to hit theaters July 25, 2025, but there sure are a lot of excellent Fantastic Four stories from Marvel’s back catalog to take inspiration from.
With July 2025 still quite a bit away, that leaves plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the new Fantastic Four’s greatest hits. Check out some of their best previous roles while you wait for the new movie.
Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards aka Mister Fantastic)
Pedro Pascal takes on the role of Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set to release on July 25, 2025. Known for his acclaimed performances in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, Pascal brings a blend of intellect and leadership to the character, emphasizing Reed’s brilliant mind over his physical stretching abilities. Director Matt Shakman described Reed as a combination of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Robert Moses, highlighting his status as the most scientifically intelligent person on the planet. Pascal has noted that he drew inspiration from “the intelligence of an octopus” to shape his portrayal, focusing on the character’s mental acuity rather than just his powers. With a look that channels the classic 1960s style of the comics, Pascal embodies the thoughtful and composed leader of the Fantastic Four, promising a fresh yet faithful take on the iconic superhero.
Prospect
Where to watch: For digital rental/purchase on Apple and Amazon
Everyone may know Pascal as the adoptive father of Grogu, but a year before that he was a helmet-wearing father in a much smaller sci-fi project called Prospect. The movie follows Pascal and his daughter, played by Yellowjackets’ Sophie Thatcher, as they make their way through the forests of a strange moon. Pascal wasn’t quite a household name when this one came out, but he’s no less engaging, fatherly, and fascinating than he would be a few years later in The Last of Us. –Austen Goslin
Triple Frontier
Where to watch: Netflix
While paternal tenderness might be Pascal’s current calling card, he’s also been great in quite a few more dramatic, action-y projects like Netflix’s Narcos and Triple Frontier. Among a ridiculously talented cast that includes Ben Affleck and Oscar Isaac, Pascal still stands out and holds his own as part of a team of special ops soldiers making their way through the South American jungle in hopes of pulling off an impossible heist. –AG
Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm aka Invisible Woman)
Vanessa Kirby takes on the role of Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). Kirby’s portrayal promises a more evolved and confident Sue Storm, moving beyond the early comic book depiction of the character as the “Invisible Girl” struggling with her powers. Instead, this version of Sue is a strategic, inspiring leader with mastery over her invisibility and force field abilities, reflecting her status as the emotional and tactical core of the team. Kirby, known for her nuanced performances in The Crown and Mission: Impossible, brings emotional depth and understated intensity to the role, suggesting a portrayal that balances vulnerability with strength. She has deeply researched the character, even exploring quantum physics to understand Sue’s powers, and draws inspiration from complex comic storylines, including Sue’s darker persona, Malice. This iteration of Invisible Woman is expected to be a quiet powerhouse and a central figure in the MCU’s Fantastic Four narrative, marking a fresh and layered take on Marvel’s first female superhero.
Queen & Country
Where to watch: Stream on Hoopla, or rent on Apple, Amazon, or Vudu
Vanessa Kirby is riiiiiight on the cusp of recognize-her-name fame, and for good reason. In the last few years she’s been on a major streak of blockbuster roles, including a recurring role as White Widow in the Mission: Impossible films and a co-starring role alongside The Rock and Jason Statham in the good-enough sidequel Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. But Marvel fans looking to know why the 35-year-old can bring the dramatic goods to the role of Sue Storm should look beyond her tentpole work. A classically trained theater actor, Kirby cut her teeth on Shakespeare and Ibsen before jumping to the screen in John Boorman’s underrated wartime romance Queen and Country. Boorman puts the emphasis on the boys at war, but Kirby stands out with her burst of cunning, feminine energy. –Matt Patches
Pieces of a Woman
Where to watch: Netflix
While her breakout role as Princess Margaret in early seasons of Netflix’s The Crown put her on every casting director’s must-have list, it’s her absolutely devastating turn in Pieces of a Woman that stands out. Starting with a 24-minute unbroken home-birth sequence (that does not end well), her encapsulation of a mother dealing with loss, a spiraling marriage, and potentially someone to blame rightfully earned her an Oscar nomination in the haze of the 2021 Academy Awards. (If you’re not looking to descend into full-blown tearjerker grief as you scope out her work, hold out for Napoleon when it hits Apple TV Plus later this year.) –MP
Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm aka The Thing)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach takes on the role of Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, bringing a nuanced and deeply human portrayal to the iconic Marvel character. Known for his standout performance as Richie “Cousin” Jerimovich in The Bear, Moss-Bachrach infuses Ben Grimm with a similar fierce loyalty and emotional depth, while highlighting the character’s social awareness and kindness. His connection to the character is also personal, as both he and the original creator Jack Kirby share New York roots, which Moss-Bachrach honors in his performance. The role involved a complex process, including motion capture and a practical stand-in rock named “Jennifer” to help create The Thing’s distinctive rocky appearance. Moss-Bachrach’s portrayal is highly anticipated to be one of the best versions of The Thing, combining physicality with heartfelt emotion.
The Bear
Where to watch: Hulu
I’d wager most people see Ebon Moss-Bachrach and immediately think “Cousin!” He steals the show in the excellent FX/Hulu restaurant drama The Bear as protagonist Carmy’s sometimes close friend, sometimes kitchen rival Cousin Richie. The tension between the two is one of the driving points of the series, and the Richie-focused season two episode “Forks” is one of the best in a show filled with fantastic episodes. –Pete Volk
Andor
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Just as Moss-Bachrach’s star was rising with The Bear, he delivered a scintillating supporting performance in Andor, one of the best pieces of Star Wars media ever. In his role of skeptical rebel Arvel Skeen, he plays brilliantly off of Diego Luna, bringing even more tension and depth to an arc that already centers around a high-stakes heist. –PV
Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm aka Human Torch)
Joseph Quinn steps into the role of Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four: The First Steps, bringing a fresh take to the iconic character. Unlike previous portrayals, including Chris Evans’ cocky, womanizing version, Quinn’s Johnny Storm is characterized by a confident bravado tempered with humor and a greater emotional awareness. He is less callous toward others and exhibits a self-awareness about his attention-seeking behavior, making this iteration more relatable and culturally relevant. Director Matt Shakman highlights Johnny’s intelligence and heroism beneath his playful exterior, emphasizing his close bond with his sister Sue Storm. Quinn’s portrayal promises to blend the character’s trademark fiery personality with depth and modern sensibility, debuting in theaters on July 25, 2025.
Stranger Things
Where to watch: Netflix
As Eddie Munson, the metalhead Dungeon Master, Quinn absolutely stole the show in the otherwise meh fourth season of Stranger Things. He brought a distinct swagger and charm to his roguish character, and had electric chemistry with all of his scene partners. It was his breakout role for a reason! –Petrana Radulovic
Les Misérables (2018)
Where to watch: PBS Masterpiece
How will the new cast’s past roles influence their portrayal of the Fantastic Four
The new Fantastic Four cast’s past roles will significantly shape their portrayals by bringing fresh, nuanced interpretations that reflect contemporary cultural sensibilities. For example, Joseph Quinn’s take on Johnny Storm (Human Torch) will diverge from previous versions by softening the character’s traditional womanizing bravado into a more self-aware, less callous personality, aligning with modern views on what makes a hero relatable and appealing. Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm (Invisible Woman) will incorporate a political dimension, portraying her as a leader who has achieved global peace efforts, adding depth beyond the classic superhero archetype.
This approach mirrors a broader trend in superhero casting, where actors’ unique strengths and previous roles help redefine iconic characters in ways that resonate with today’s audiences. Such casting choices can challenge old stereotypes and refresh familiar narratives, as seen with Michael B. Jordan’s earlier portrayal of Johnny Storm, which introduced diversity and complexity to the character. Overall, the new cast’s backgrounds and acting styles will influence their Fantastic Four roles by blending respect for the original characters with modern reinterpretations that emphasize emotional depth, cultural relevance, and a more inclusive vision of heroism.
How might Joseph Quinn’s less “callous” Johnny change the character’s dynamic
Joseph Quinn’s portrayal of Johnny Storm as a less “callous” character will shift the dynamic by making Johnny more considerate of others’ feelings while retaining his signature humor and bravado. This change moves away from the traditional depiction of Johnny as a womanizing, devil-may-care type, offering a more emotionally aware and relatable hero. As a result, the character’s interactions within the Fantastic Four team are likely to be more empathetic and nuanced, fostering deeper connections and a fresh dynamic that balances charm with sensitivity.
