According to a recent announcement, it appears that “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” might be trimming one of its Marvel antagonists. While Ralph Ineson’s Galactus will pose the main menace to Earth, it’s not just him who is expected to be causing trouble. Reports suggest that Paul Walter Hauser will play the Mole Man, John Malkovich will portray Red Ghost, and Giganto could also make an appearance. Additionally, there are rumors circulating that Robert Downey Jr. might make a guest appearance as Doctor Doom before taking on his villainous role next year in “Avengers: Doomsday”.
MCU enthusiasts are expressing worry that John Malkovich might not be featured in the final cut of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” as he was left out of the “also stars” list in a June 25 press release for the movie’s final trailer, despite Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles still being mentioned.
Malkovich’s name was last publicly linked with The Fantastic Four in a press statement released on June 4, marking the start of ticket sales.
In the initial preview for “The Fantastic Four”, spectators spotted the 71-year-old thespian, sparking whispers that he might portray Ivan Kragoff, also known as Red Ghost. This Russian character is an age-old adversary of Marvel’s original superhero team, aiming to recreate the cosmic incident that bestowed them with extraordinary abilities.
There’s a strong possibility that Red Ghost was eliminated from “The Fantastic Four” at the last moment, possibly due to feedback from test screenings. Another scenario could be that his screen time was significantly reduced, leading to him being excluded from the press release which does not provide a complete cast list and only highlights the film’s main stars.
The likelihood that The Fantastic Four has cut certain scenes and even a villain increases when considering the recent updates on its runtime. Initially, AMC Theaters suggested First Steps would run for 2 hours and 10 minutes, but it’s now been reduced to 1 hour and 55 minutes (as reported by Games Radar).
As for those currently part of First Steps, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn are the key figures. They will be accompanied by Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles.
Fans must be patient and watch the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film in theaters on July 25th to find out for sure what happens to Malkovich’s character as the antagonist of the Fantastic Four, without a shadow of doubt.
Would Cutting John Malkovich’s Villain Change The Fantastic Four Much?
It remains undetermined specifically what role John Malkovich’s character, Red Ghost, was intended to play in the upcoming Fantastic Four, given that various adversaries have already been revealed. Some speculate that the Marvel family might initially encounter classic foes like Mole Man, Red Ghost, and Giganto prior to Galactus’ emergence.
As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel that if Red Ghost had been just another action sequence in the grand scheme of things within The Fantastic Four, his absence might not have left a massive void or significantly altered the overall narrative. However, it would be a real pity to exclude an actor as revered and twice-Oscar-nominated as he from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
At the moment, it remains unclear if Malkovich will definitely be excluded from The Fantastic Four, as Marvel Studios hasn’t provided any official confirmation yet.
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2025-06-26 20:04