Who Is Mole Man? Paul Walter Hauser’s Fantastic Four Villain Explained

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Contains spoilers for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”

A significant amount of excitement about the critically praised movie “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” revolves around its main characters: Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Susan Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), as well as the film’s primary antagonist, Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a renowned Marvel villain who made his debut in “Fantastic Four” #48 from 1966. Yet, it is worth noting that Galactus isn’t the first adversary that Marvel’s First Family encountered; delving into their origins, their initial enemy was actually Harvey Elder, also known as Mole Man, portrayed by Paul Walter Hauser in “First Steps.

In my gaming world, as a comic book enthusiast, it’s no secret that Mole Man, the inaugural nemesis of the Fantastic Four, isn’t a household name outside dedicated circles. However, his reign in the subterranean domain of Subterranea has made him a persistent annoyance for numerous heroes over the years.

His crew is an assortment of Deviants and their mutated creations, the Moloids, who faithfully serve under his command. His arsenal includes a horde of colossal monsters, which he deploys to wage war on the surface world whenever the mood strikes him.

In the comics, Mole Man is a classic villain, but in “First Steps,” he surprisingly switches sides and offers a timely assist when Galactus threatens Earth, providing a crucial helping hand during that critical moment.

The news about Hauser playing Mole Man was announced in May 2024, and we got our first glimpse of him in July 2025. Just like many characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mole Man has some differences from his comic book version. He maintains the same color scheme, but in the movie, he dons an attire that resembles a mix of a tracksuit and a dress shirt with a tie. It might seem unusual, but when you compare it to what he wore in the comics, you’ll probably appreciate why the creators chose a more realistic approach for the costume.

Mole Man and the Fantastic Four have a long history

In “Fantastic Four” issue 1, it doesn’t take long for the newly formed team to encounter trouble after they acquire their superpowers. Catastrophic cave-ins occur globally, targeting nuclear power plants. It is revealed that colossal monsters are behind these disasters. The Fantastic Four delve into the mystery, journeying to Monster Isle, where they have their initial encounter with Mole Man. True to form for a villain, he offers an explanation of his origins to the heroes. Ostracized by society due to his peculiar looks, Harvey Elder finds comfort beneath the earth’s surface.

As a gamer, I stumbled upon an expansive subterranean labyrinth teeming with various creatures, some cunning and others wild, and somehow, I rose as their sovereign. In the depths of this darkness, I’ve acquired an unusual longevity and developed a sixth sense, much like echolocation. Initially, my mission was to make the world above pay for their mistreatment, so I’d dispatch my monstrous minions to wreak havoc on power plants. However, over time, I began to question if destruction was truly the answer…

Later on, he tries to ignite a nuclear conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, making it clear that he is no joker. Prior to his reign as a subterranean supervillain, Elder was a scientist, but he never received the recognition he believed he deserved, which also contributed to his isolation from society. As ruler of Subterranea, Mole Man possesses an abundance of global resources and Deviant technology, enabling him to wage war against the surface as he sees fit.

First Steps pays tribute to Mole Man’s comic book debut with its Giganto scene

Although Mole Man doesn’t appear frequently, he plays a crucial role in the storyline of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” He is introduced at the beginning, giving a brief overview of the Fantastic Four’s history and origins. In his first confrontation, Mole Man attempts to submerge the Pan Am building in Manhattan into Subterranea, but the Fantastic Four successfully prevents this. Later, Giganto emerges from the streets to cause chaos, mimicking the cover art of “Fantastic Four” #1.

After being taken into custody, Sue collaborates with Elder, utilizing the United Nations, to negotiate a truce between Subterranea and the upper world. In the second act, Elder reappears as the world becomes aware of its impending doom at Galactus’ hands, as foretold by Silver Surfer Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner). He watches the events unfold on television, expressing concern.

In the climax of this epic tale, when it seemed like my time on the silver screen was drawing to a close, Sue unexpectedly called upon me to assist in evacuating a significant portion of Manhattan underground, shielding thousands of New Yorkers from Galactus’ impending devastation. I managed to squeeze in a few jabs at Johnny and Reed during one of the film’s most entertaining moments. The portrayal of Elder as a hero is a notable departure from his comic book persona, but it fits seamlessly within the movie, showcasing Hauser’s exceptional talents to their full potential.

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2025-07-25 19:00