How Ralph Ineson Went From a Nameless Pilot in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to the Almighty Galactus in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

As soon as Ralph Ineson’s imposing figure appears on screen and his powerful voice fills the room, the movie audience feels confident that they are in capable hands.

Therefore, director Matt Shakman, of the movie “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, was well aware that he would be giving a significant role to Ineson, who portrayed Galactus – the planet-consuming demigod and frequent adversary of Marvel’s original superhero family. In the first hour of this now widely acclaimed live-action adaptation of “The Fantastic Four”, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) return home after an unsuccessful meeting with the cosmic entity, and they appear noticeably disturbed by the danger they had just faced. This unease was effectively portrayed by Ineson in his performance.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Fantastic Four is not Ineson’s debut into the cosmic realm. In fact, he had a small role as an unnamed Ravager pilot in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy back in 2014. However, this brief appearance in the MCU didn’t define his career; rather, it was the year itself that brought about significant changes for him. Before Guardians hit the screens in August, he had already completed a folk horror movie titled The Witch, directed by a relatively unknown filmmaker at the time named Robert Eggers. This movie gave Ineson a rare leading role alongside newcomer Anya Taylor-Joy. Since the 2015 Sundance premiere and 2016 theatrical release of The Witch, his popularity has soared noticeably.

Ineson and Eggers have collaborated on three projects so far, including The Northman (2021) and Nosferatu (2024), with discussions ongoing for a potential fourth film titled Werwulf in the future. This English actor believes their first collaboration was a significant milestone in his career, leading to opportunities with directors such as Steven Spielberg (Ready Player One), the Coen brothers (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs), and David Lowery (The Green Knight). Moreover, this partnership enabled him to transition from an unrecognized Guardians character to the notorious villain in Fantastic Four.

Ineson shares with The Hollywood Reporter about his experience, saying, “[Rob Eggers] gave me an exceptional role in a remarkable movie alongside other outstanding performers, which turned everything around for me.” He explains that working on The Witch boosted his self-belief, making him realize he was capable of portraying complex characters. This opportunity led to more collaborations with Rob Eggers, Steven Spielberg, the Coen brothers, and many other talented filmmakers, resulting in a remarkable decade for Ineson.

On the set of director Eggers’ “Nosferatu”, Ineson and Nicholas Hoult became friends. Recently, they found a common ground as they are both playing the main antagonists in this summer’s most anticipated films: “The Fantastic Four” and “Superman”.

Ineson playfully commented on social media that [Hoult] delivered the best all-time superhero villain performance ever, adding ‘Here, hold my drink.’ Hoult replied humorously, ‘That’s not really fair. You’re a cosmic being, I’m just an ordinary person.’

During a recent chat with THR, Ineson shares insights about the community involved in shaping Galactus and his involvement in Guillermo del Toro’s forthcoming Frankenstein project.

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Hey there! As a fellow gaming enthusiast, let me rephrase that question in a first-person perspective: “Did I get a chance to discuss with my on-screen Nosferatu partner Nick Hoult how we’re playing the villains in this summer’s top two movies?

This morning, we exchanged messages regarding the topic. I posted something on social media praising his superb portrayal as the best ever villain in a superhero series, to which I jokingly added, “Watch this!” He found it amusing and replied, “That’s not really fair since you’re a cosmic being while I’m just an ordinary man.” I acknowledged his point by saying, “You make a valid point, but I am currently battling four of them,” followed by a chuckle. To which he responded with, “Well, I get uncomfortable when I eat spicy food.” It seems like he has conceded in the battle between man and demigod.

In a more casual and straightforward rephrasing, here’s how the question could be restated:

“Director Matt Shakman recently gave you the chance to play Galactus in The Fantastic Four. How often does something like that happen for an actor like you?

In this case, it’s surprisingly uncommon. Typically, securing a role like this would involve multiple rounds of auditions, including tape submissions and screen tests. However, most of the cast shares a similar story – a quick meeting with Matt followed by a confirmation a few days later that they wanted you for the part. This process was eerily swift and straightforward. While I occasionally receive offers for roles now, they’re not typically of this scale.

In 2014, I took on the role of an unnamed Ravager pilot in James Gunn’s first “Guardians of the Galaxy” film, and now I’m stepping into one of Marvel’s most iconic villain characters. Reflecting on my career progression over the past decade, what does it signify to me?

Since 2014, when I played an unnamed Ravager pilot in James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”, my journey has led me to embody one of Marvel’s most renowned villains. Pondering my career growth over the last decade, what does it represent to me?

It’s been truly delightful, to put it simply. For the past 33 years, I’ve been an actor working in various roles, and I’ve always found joy in what I do. I take great pleasure in filmmaking, and being on set is where I feel most at home. I may not have harbored grand ambitions for leading roles, but I’ve cherished every moment of my career and lived a fulfilling life.

After encountering Rob Eggers during ‘The Witch’, I was offered an exceptional role in a fantastic movie alongside other talented actors. This experience boosted my confidence, proving to me that I could convincingly portray complex characters. It was far more challenging than anything I’d played before, and it opened doors for me to work with Rob Eggers again, as well as Steven Spielberg, the Coen brothers, and other renowned filmmakers. The last ten years have been truly remarkable, indeed. [Ineson’s title character in David Lowery’s ‘The Green Knight’ is another notable role of his.]

Speaking of Rob Eggers, has he made it known yet whether you’re going to be in Werwulf?

We are talking. (Ineson smiles.)

As a gamer, I had thought that Galactus would just be a voiceover character, but it turns out it’s a full-performance role with your likeness involved. Did you also think it was going to be solely a voiceover role at first?

Initially, I thought it made sense for superheroes to wear their special suits since they’re superheroes, but I didn’t realize how misguided that assumption was. It’s unusual to attempt something as grand as Galactus in a practical manner. However, when I first met Matt, he discussed creating a real-life suit for me to embody the character, which is an exceptional opportunity for an actor. Although I also participated in motion capture, most of my work was hands-on and in costume. Wearing that gear really helps you feel like the character you’re portraying.

At first, I thought it was natural for superheroes to wear their suits because they’re superheroes, but I didn’t know how off base that idea was. It’s uncommon to try and do something as big as Galactus in a practical way. But when I met Matt, he talked about making a real-life suit for me to become the character, which is fantastic for an actor. Most of my work was done with the actual costume on, and it helps you feel like the character when you wear that gear.

Is it true that the costume was so uncomfortable that you had to get massages during lunch?

Actually, the issue wasn’t primarily about the discomfort of the costume; rather, it was due to my age – being 55 – and the wear and tear on my joints. The costume, with its additional weight, exacerbated my knee problems, causing occasional pain during the day. However, I must say, the care I received was exceptional, as I had to get a massage at lunchtime for relief.

Just as Orson Welles said, “A writer needs a pen, an artist needs a brush, but a filmmaker needs an entire team.” Creating a character like Galactus for the screen is much like having a Formula One racing team with a pit crew, numerous engineers, and data analysts. In this analogy, they’re responsible for designing and creating the suit that my team and I will later use on set, similar to driving a race car.

To capture Galactus on screen, we filmed him as a small model, which was later magnified without losing focus due to an abundance of intense white light during filming. Working in this bright environment while wearing the large suit, helmet, gauntlets, and other equipment was incredibly hot. To manage my body temperature and keep cool, my team had a specific routine. Since Galactus can’t sweat, I needed to maintain a low body temperature while executing physically demanding tasks under the harsh light.

During filming, I’d take a few tries and wait as they adjusted the camera setup, with one crew member on each gauntlet and another on my helmet. Someone would also set up an air conditioner at the back of my armor, while fans were positioned in front of me. We’d all stay alert, waiting for the assistant director to signal a 30-second countdown before everyone rushed to put everything back onto me. Essentially, it was like a quick service stop for a Formula One race car.

Even though you had a pit crew, you mostly worked by yourself? Your performance wasn’t with other actors; it involved following indicators on the floor.

Absolutely, there were small electric tape markers on the floor that required careful preparation for the character prior to shooting. The job of bringing the character to life on screen is largely physical, but to truly visualize those tape markers in your mind, you need to have your emotional memories at the ready. To achieve this, I climbed the tallest structures I could find to simulate Galactus’ viewpoint. From up high, I could envision that perspective, not just a simple piece of tape on the floor.

Do you empathize with Galactus, given his insatiable hunger that necessitates consuming entire planets, and his longing to pass on this affliction to another so he might find peace? Are you inclined to justify the actions of many of your villains, or do you view some of them as unquestionably evil?

Everyone has their reasons for acting the way they do in their own perspective, even if their actions may seem malicious to others. In the mind of an ordinary antagonist, there are unique motivations driving their choices. It’s rare for me to portray a character who openly acknowledges being inherently evil or a caricatured villain with a twirled mustache.

Galactus isn’t considered evil in the traditional sense because his actions aren’t driven by malice or ill-intentions. Instead, he has an insatiable hunger that requires him to consume planets to survive, a process that has maintained a balance in the universe for 14 billion years. Although the beings on the planet about to be consumed are irrelevant to Galactus, his actions aren’t malevolent; they are simply a necessity for him to sustain himself. Therefore, while Galactus may pose significant problems for those living on the planets he consumes, his actions don’t necessarily make him evil, but rather a powerful antagonist of sorts.

He does drive a hard bargain, though, one that raises the age-old trolley problem.

Yeah, that’s an interesting [spoiler].

Are you under any binding agreements with Marvel that prevent you from returning to the character of Galactus? Regardless, how optimistic are you about potentially revisiting this character in the future within the Marvel Cinematic Universe? After all, anything can happen in this universe.

Absolutely, you’re right. There’s a wealth of information in the lore, and he is a significant figure in this entire universe. However, I wouldn’t be able to predict whether Galactus will reappear, as such decisions are made by Kevin [Feige] and the higher-ups. Yet, if given the opportunity, I would certainly jump at the chance to portray Galactus once more.

In our recent discussion, it’s been noted that you’ve portrayed numerous villainous characters throughout your professional journey. Has this role consistently appealed to you, or was there a phase when you deliberately steered away from such roles?

In the world of acting, you’re limited in how much you can shape the roles that come your way. You simply need to keep auditioning and working, as opportunities ebb and flow according to trends. Occasionally, you might find yourself typecast in a certain role, but it’s difficult to force a change in perception unless you have the financial stability to reject all offers until the perfect job comes along.

Additionally, while I might not typically portray a hero with my face and voice, there’s a wide range of roles I can take on. I don’t necessarily need to play the villain, but my voice often steers people towards perceiving me in that role.

For individuals like us with voices that are calmly reassuring, it’s clear that you and your deep, resonant voice have become the admiration of our circle. Could you share a bit about how you cultivated your baritone speaking style into what it is now?

As a child, before puberty, my voice was unusually deep. At around 11 years old, I sounded more like an adult than a boy, which is quite unusual, I believe. My voice continued to become even deeper and never truly broke during that time. Consequently, I’ve always had a very deep voice. Over the years, with regular use and extensive voiceover work, my age and the quantity of work I do have naturally made it even deeper.

One time, I inquired from Jeffrey Wright about the reason behind his distinctive voice, and he attributed part of it to his habits like smoking and drinking whiskey.

Although I’ve quit smoking for five years, it hasn’t altered my lifestyle significantly. Smoking does seem to provide a certain advantage, but genetics appear to play a significant role in this aspect. I inherited a particular tone of voice from my grandmother, which seems to give us all an edge. My dad’s mother was tall and had a deep voice, and her sons also share this trait. However, I have the deepest voice among us, and I’m the only one who’s managed to capitalize on it. (Laughs).

Following your collaboration with Rob on a fresh take of the timeless tale “Nosferatu”, you then found yourself cast in Guillermo del Toro’s reinvention of “Frankenstein”. Could you share your thoughts on this unique experience?

Experiencing him was truly delightful. Guillermo possesses an exceptional charm that’s hard to find elsewhere. His enthusiasm for directing is infectious, and his methods are unique, unlike any I’ve encountered before. He sometimes handles the camera or guides supporting actors along with the main ones. The scene we filmed was a large lecture hall setting with hundreds of extras, and it required some complex acting and animatronics. It was a challenging scene, filled with intricate details, and it took nearly a week to complete the shoot.

Day in, day out, Guillermo was the liveliest, funniest individual in any given room. He consistently works with the same team, and they adore working alongside him. When you’re on sets like these where everyone is simply thrilled to be present, it becomes an incredibly enjoyable experience, and this positive atmosphere stems directly from Guillermo’s extraordinary enthusiasm and vitality.

I’m quite fond of William Brent Bell’s movie “Lord of Misrule,” and it still leaves me in awe that the role you portrayed was initially intended for a woman. How did you react to Brent’s unexpected proposal at first?

During our past film collaboration, Brent and I have built a friendship. When he visited England for the preparation of “Lord of Misrule”, he asked me out for a drink. I agreed, and then he unexpectedly shared the script with me without any instructions. He simply said, “Take a look at this.” Initially, I found nothing in the script that suited my role as it was written for someone younger than myself, portraying the husband character. I also struggled to find any other significant roles apart from the green man who announces the fair.

I initially found it peculiar when he proposed that I play this particular role, but then he explained his concept: a 70-year-old witch character. At first, I hesitated, but as we discussed it further, the transformation seemed surprisingly effortless. Interestingly, we didn’t have to change the name since it’s a gender-neutral one.

To conclude, I must express my admiration for The Creator’s work, and Gareth Edwards’ ability to stretch a $80 million budget to seem like $200 million is truly remarkable. This technique should be studied by every film studio, as even Kevin Feige recently mentioned he contacted The Creator’s VFX company (likely ILM) with the aim of replicating this cost-effective scale for Marvel productions. When compared to other major films I’ve been involved in, was it apparent that Gareth was achieving grandeur at a lower price point than most?

As a gamer behind the lens, I couldn’t help but feel an intimate connection with the camera and the director during our shoot. We opted for compact Sony [FX3] cameras, each costing around $4,000, which were incredibly flexible – they didn’t demand complex setups like larger cameras would. This allowed us to use smaller cranes, making them more affordable and versatile.

A significant portion of our filming took place with the camera mounted on a steering wheel rig, where it was just Gareth, myself, and the sound recordist capturing shots from within the car. With this setup, we were able to roam freely and capture scenes for our grand production with minimal resources.

The entire atmosphere felt tightly knit, and in some ways, it resembled a student production. As an actor, having such proximity to the director who also handled the camera was quite exhilarating. It offered a unique, up-close perspective of the director, something that I found very appealing. He generously shared a wealth of information about the world they had already established before filming began, which allowed me to grasp the storyline easily. What truly astounded me was the intimacy of the shooting process, far removed from the grandeur of large-scale productions.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens July 25 in movie theaters nationwide.

2025-07-23 22:25

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