The Real Reason John Malkovich Was Cut From The Fantastic Four: First Steps

by

Contains spoilers for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”

Based on the previews and promotional content, you might have had a clear expectation for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” However, there’s an intriguing difference between the trailers and the actual movie – John Malkovich, who was to portray Marvel Comics villain Ivan Kragoff (also known as Red Ghost), is not featured in the final film.

Viewers had been anticipating his appearance since the initial “First Steps” trailer hinted at him with disheveled hair and a rough beard emerging from the shadows. Alongside Paul Walter Hauser’s Mole Man, it seemed like the movie might delve into less prominent Fantastic Four villains. However, Red Ghost is absent in the final cut, likely because the story already had numerous characters, such as the four members of the title team, cosmic threats like Silver Surfer and Galactus, and a newborn baby. Adding Red Ghost to the mix might have made the plot too complex or slowed down the primary action.

Before the movie was premiered, Matt Shakman shared with Variety that it was a difficult choice to eliminate his role in the final cut: “It was incredibly sad to exclude him from the film’s finale because he is one of my most cherished individuals and a major source of inspiration.” Shakman and Malkovich had collaborated on the 2014 production, “Cut Bank,” so it made the process of cutting his scenes even more challenging.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps refers to Red Ghost in name only

John Malkovich might not be visible on screen in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” but his presence is felt throughout the movie. At the beginning, there’s a scene where all members of the Fantastic Four are depicted engaging in action, including a quick fight between Reed Richards (played by Pedro Pascal) and an orangutan. This orangutan is one of Red Ghost’s Super-Apes, powerful primates created by a villainous scientist in the comics as part of his army to combat Marvel’s First Family.

In a humorous animated segment at the end of “First Steps,” Red Ghost briefly appears alongside some Super-Apes during the fictional “Fantastic Four” cartoon’s opening credits. This scene hints at the potential involvement of Red Ghost in the movie’s final confrontation, which unfortunately didn’t come to fruition due to John Malkovich’s character being removed from the storyline. Interestingly, the usually antagonistic Mole Man aids in evacuating New Yorkers to his underground city, Subterranea, while the Fantastic Four battle Galactus. This suggests that Red Ghost might have followed suit and switched sides for the greater good.

One positive aspect of Malkovich’s role being removed is that he now has the opportunity to appear in another Marvel Cinematic Universe film. With numerous upcoming Marvel movies scheduled after “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” John Malkovich could add significant depth to a character, whether it be a hero, villain, or something of a hybrid nature.

Read More

2025-07-25 19:29