The Best And Worst Live-Action Versions Of Each Fantastic Four Character

In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Marvel’s legendary family makes their appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sparking debates among fans about which renditions of the superhero squad truly deserve the title of fantastic and which ones should be relegated to obscurity for all time. This piece aims to shed light on the best and worst cinematic portrayals of each Fantastic Four member, as well as some memorable villains to add flavor.

This list contrasts the primary actors from each live-action “Fantastic Four” movie so far, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, the 1994 unofficial film “The Fantastic Four,” which was hastily produced to maintain rights; the duology directed by Tim Story, consisting of “Fantastic Four” (2005) and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007); and Josh Trank’s 2015 reboot, commonly known as a critical failure and box office bomb, “Fantastic Four.” Here are the standouts and underperformers.

Best Sue Storm: Vanessa Kirby

Balancing vulnerability with strength is tricky when portraying Sue Storm, as leaning too much towards one side can make her appear overly passive or overly tough. Losing her gentle qualities that define Sue as an endearing superhero is undesirable. However, Vanessa Kirby excellently captures this delicate balance in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” offering a Sue Storm unlike any other. Her portrayal showcases a smart, nurturing woman who juggles taking care of her family and saving the world, all while diplomatically handling various situations.

In a refreshing twist, Kirby’s Sue isn’t portrayed as the typical damsel-in-distress character, a trap that others have unwittingly fallen into. Instead, she takes on the role of matriarch for Marvel’s First Family, and her influence is significant. Unlike some might expect, she’s not just defined by her family responsibilities; she’s also a steadfast friend, demonstrating unwavering loyalty. In “First Steps,” while her portrayal may seem somewhat traditional, the filmmakers have accurately captured Sue’s essence from the comics, giving us a faithful adaptation of this complex character on screen.

Worst Sue Storm: Jessica Alba

In Jessica Alba’s perspective, Sue Storm’s portrayal in both “Fantastic Four” (2005) and its sequel, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007), seems to be impacted by the script. Initially, Sue is depicted as the emotional core of the group, but as the story unfolds, her character becomes less complex and more one-dimensional. In the sequel, a significant part of her narrative revolves around her resentment towards Reed Richards, who postpones their wedding to pursue adventure. This frustration leads to her demise during the climactic battle, only for her to be resurrected by the Silver Surfer. Essentially, Sue Storm’s role in these films seems more like a plot device rather than a fully-fleshed character.

It’s unfortunate for both Sue and Jessica Alba that her character lacks exciting opportunities in the role, as Alba struggled to find depth in her performances post-“Fantastic Four.” The challenging experience on the second film, “Fantantic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” almost led Alba to abandon acting altogether due to being instructed to cry more attractively during a key scene. In contrast, other characters are given chances to display unique aspects of their personalities. Sue’s role is limited to either scolding or needing rescue, which may explain why Alba disliked working on the “Fantastic Four” films.

Best Johnny Storm: Michael B. Jordan

In each portrayal of Johnny Storm in live-action films, it must be acknowledged that they are all quite impressive within their respective worlds. They all possess energy, charisma, and a touch of arrogance that keeps viewers engaged. Selecting the top performer from this group was challenging, as was choosing the least convincing, but Michael B. Jordan’s ability to remain calm under pressure sets his Johnny apart from the others. His take on the character is less flamboyant than previous portrayals and more grounded in reality. While it may not seem like a significant accomplishment, Jordan’s version of Johnny Storm is undeniably the standout in the 2015 film “Fantastic Four.

In this rendition of the tale, Jordan’s Johnny gets to demonstrate his engineering prowess – an unusual occurrence given his typical portrayal as a party-loving lad with a fondness for women and using his fire powers to his advantage. However, in this instance, he exhibits a more intellectual side without losing his unique personality or humanity. He retains his spirit and humor, but could also outperform any competitor in a scientific or physical challenge. Like all iterations of the character, he remains loyal to his family, a key aspect of Johnny Storm. What sets Jordan’s Johnny apart is his ability to depict various facets of his character, making him the standout among the group.

Worst Johnny Storm: Jay Underwood

1994’s “The Fantastic Four” was never officially distributed, but due to unauthorized copies, comic book enthusiasts were able to witness its poor quality – it’s widely regarded as one of the worst superhero films ever produced. This movie came about because Constantin Film was on the verge of losing the rights to the Marvel property and had to swiftly produce a film to keep them. Unfortunately, this hasty production didn’t benefit the actors, including Jay Underwood, whose portrayal of Johnny Storm is considered one of the most disappointing by a significant margin.

In this adaptation of the tale, young Johnny resides in a boarding house with his sister Sue and their mother, when Reed’s experiment backfires, giving rise to Doctor Doom. Later on, they transform into the Fantastic Four after an unforgettable flight, but grown-up Johnny doesn’t make the narrative any more intriguing as he lacks development, demonstrating no personal growth and contributing nothing significant to the storyline. Essentially, Underwood’s portrayal of Johnny amounts to little more than a passive observer on this (dull) journey.

Best Ben Grimm: Michael Chiklis

Michael Chiklis is an accomplished actor who has spent years portraying rough characters in crime series. Additionally, he has played Curly Howard in a TV movie that chronicled the creation of The Three Stooges. This versatility makes him ideal for Ben Grimm, the affectionately nicknamed blue-eyed Thing. Chiklis skillfully conveys Ben’s vulnerability, his quick wit, and his combat readiness. His portrayal of Ben is melancholic but also funny and sarcastic. He is both tough and romantic. In essence, he embodies all the best aspects of Ben Grimm within a single character, demonstrating his ability to create a fully-fledged character.

In 2005’s “Fantastic Four” and its sequel “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” Ben Grimm undergoes many trials. He struggles with self-disgust as he learns to embrace his transformation into The Thing. Throughout this journey, he develops feelings for Alicia Masters, a blind artist portrayed by Kerry Washington in these films. This romantic storyline is often repeated when retelling the team’s origins, but it’s Chiklis who effectively draws us into their love story. He skillfully portrays Ben as having a tough exterior, yet he also makes him incredibly endearing and undeniably the most lovable version of The Thing.

Worst Ben Grimm: Michael Bailey Smith/Carl Ciarfalio

In 1994’s “The Fantastic Four,” Michael Bailey Smith portrayed human Ben Grimm, while The Thing was acted by stuntman Carl Ciarfalio who wore a constrictive rubber suit. Despite the movie’s limitations due to its low budget special effects and pre-CGI performance, there’s a certain appeal in Ciarfalio’s portrayal of The Thing. However, this adaptation still ranks as one of the worst to date. One major problem lies in Ciarfalio’s emotional expressions, which often seemed ambiguous due to them being controlled remotely by someone off-camera. It’s important to note that none of these issues were Ciarfalio’s fault; he was simply working under very challenging conditions.

Ciarfalio shared with Keeping it Reel that the suit he wore for the film was exceptionally hot. He described it as a few inches of fake rubber, worn under a thin-skinned dive suit, making it difficult to get in and out. He needed assistance for this purpose. Interestingly, they made two heads for the role, one for fight scenes and another capable of basic facial expressions. While speaking his lines, he could only hear a repetitive motor sound as they later added Michael Bailey Smith’s voice over his mouth movements.

Best Reed Richards: Pedro Pascal

In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Reed Richards stands out distinctively. Unlike Ioan Gruffudd’s character who emphasizes Reed’s steady, scholarly demeanor and Miles Teller’s version appearing too young to convincingly play the unflappable genius, Pascal finds a balance. He projects an air of maturity that suggests a seasoned scientist, yet maintains a childlike excitement that convinces us he genuinely appreciates the marvels of scientific progress. His Reed exhibits parental anxiety while also encouraging children to explore and learn through experiments.

Pascal skillfully combines Reed’s serious demeanor with a genuine portrayal of human fragility, making his character feel authentic and relatable. This balance gives the impression that such an elastic character could truly exist among us. Moreover, he convincingly plays the role of a commanding leader. To this point, no actor has managed to embody all the facets of Reed Richards as effectively as Pascal does – from being both a superhero with elastic abilities and a brilliant scientist who finds joy in particle acceleration, to portraying a loving husband and father.

Worst Reed Richards: Miles Teller

As a dedicated fan, I have to say that Miles Teller’s portrayal of Reed Richards in the 2015 “Fantastic Four” wasn’t quite what I expected – it wasn’t entirely his fault, though. It seemed challenging for him to convey the necessary wisdom and experience required to make me believe he was Reed, especially given that this version of the character is supposed to be a teenager.

Teller’s interpretation of a youthful Reed tinkering with experiments in his garage, attempting to win Sue over while simultaneously dodging escalating peril and acting like a fugitive from the law just didn’t hit the right notes for me. Reed Richards is a character who carries a certain weight, and Teller’s portrayal seemed to lack this gravitas.

In one word, Teller’s Reed comes across as bratty, which doesn’t quite capture the essence of the character at any age. This is something that, in part, can be attributed to Teller himself.

In Josh Trank’s movie, Reed Richards’ character development is mishandled, both as a scientist and a person. It appears that he doesn’t grow or evolve even when he’s on the run from the law and attempting to conceal his powers. The issue might stem from the direction, Teller’s portrayal of the character, or perhaps because these characters need to have a strong presence to be effective. Unfortunately, Teller’s Reed doesn’t break free from Ioan Gruffudd’s compelling portrayal in the 2005 and 2007 “Fantastic Four” films, and it falls significantly short of Pedro Pascal’s rendition in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Best Doctor Doom: Julian McMahon

In 2005, Julian McMahon skillfully portrayed Doctor Doom, the arch-nemesis of the Fantastic Four, showcasing a blend of arrogance, condescension, and ruthless cruelty in his performance. This interpretation positioned Victor von Doom as Reed’s superior at work, where he championed the dark side of corporate America while disregarding safety concerns. He was indifferent to the potential danger facing Reed Richards and his family, so long as his wealth and that of his investors continued to grow.

In every scene, McMahon portrays Doom with a hint of malevolence, yet he maintains a glimmer of humanity beneath the character’s fiery temper and intellectual prowess. Beneath this villain lies a bitter man who blames Reed for perceived shortcomings. He believes himself to be intellectually superior to Reed in every way, and his actions are fueled by a genuine frustration. However, Doom is driven by science, which ultimately leads to his downfall. McMahon didn’t shy away from this complex portrayal, instead depicting Doom as a character who was perhaps too intelligent for his own good.

Worst Doctor Doom: Toby Kebbell

If Toby Kebbell doesn’t manage to convey the intimidating presence that Doctor Doom requires, then perhaps he isn’t suited for the role. Kebbell certainly has the brooding intensity and wears a cape with style. However, his portrayal of Doom lacks the booming majesty that is essential for this legendary supervillain, causing him to fall short compared to other interpretations of the character. It’s unfortunate because this version of Victor von Doom has an intriguing backstory as a protégé of Franklin Storm (Reg E. Cathey), the head of the Storm family.

In the 2015 movie “Fantastic Four,” Victor Doom accompanies Reed, Ben, and Johnny to Planet Zero, where he is believed to have perished in an incident. Consequently, he’s left behind on the planet. This portrayal of his origin story offers a new perspective, but unfortunately, it doesn’t lead to significant character development. Instead, we see him resurface with telekinetic powers, causing harm and seeking vengeance against Reed. Although Kebbell delivers an impressive Doctor Doom performance, his revenge narrative feels underdeveloped. As a main antagonist, he lacks the sharp intellect that truly embodies the character of Doom. Despite his acting skills, it seems he’s not the ideal choice for this role.

Best Silver Surfer: Doug Jones/Laurence Fishburne

Discussing the two major-screen adaptations of the Silver Surfer is similar to comparing apples and oranges since one portrays Norrin Radd and the other Shalla-Bal, two distinct heralds with unique personalities. However, Doug Jones, enhanced by the powerful voiceover performance by Laurence Fishburne, emerges as the superior Silver Surfer in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” Known for his frequent collaborations with Guillermo del Toro and decades of experience portraying creatures and otherworldly beings, Jones imbues his Silver Surfer with a majesty that commands attention.

One noteworthy aspect of Jones and Fishburne’s portrayal of Silver Surfer stands out – their depiction of the moral dilemma he faces while serving Galactus. While Shalla-Bal experiences similar struggles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Fishburne’s voice acting effectively conveys the complexity of the character’s feelings about his predicament. The climactic moment when he revives Sue and departs for his own spacebound fate is a significant milestone in his development. Overall, Jones and Fishburne truly deliver an exceptional performance.

Worst Silver Surfer: Julia Garner

As a fan, I must admit that I found Julia Garner’s portrayal of the Silver Surfer in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” a bit underwhelming compared to previous actors like Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne. It’s not easy to surpass their interpretations, given the rich history of the character. While Julia did her best, I couldn’t help but question if this role was a perfect fit for her. She certainly possesses a wealth of acting talent, yet her delivery felt somewhat subdued, lacking the impact that was intended and leaving it feeling rather flat most of the time.

The goal is to create a sense of enigma and excitement, yet the character’s aloofness prevents viewers from forming a bond in certain instances. It’s not necessary for her to be so detached to generate audience suspense. However, the actress from “Ozark” appears to become more comfortable with the role as the story progresses. By the finale, we are wholeheartedly cheering her on, and that’s what matters most — you truly want to see her succeed without Galactus’ control looming.

2025-07-25 05:01