John Malkovich’s Role In Fantastic Four: First Steps Has Been Pretty Secretive, But Now He’s Opening Up About What It’s Like On Set: ‘Quite Odd’

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The original Marvel family is making a comeback to the cinematic universe with the forthcoming movie titled “The Fantastic Four: First Footsteps“, one of the upcoming Marvel films that has sparked a lot of excitement since its announcement. Although details about the main cast have been discussed, what’s piquing people’s interest is the inclusion of renowned actor John Malkovich. The specific role he will play in the film remains a mystery, as no official announcement has been made. However, Malkovich himself has recently shared some insights into his experience working on the much-anticipated superhero film production.

At the Los Angeles premiere of his upcoming horror-thriller “Opus,” released by A24, John Malkovich shared some insights with Variety. In their conversation, he offered a glimpse into his time working on the set of “Fantastic Four.” Although he didn’t reveal any details about his character, he acknowledged that being part of a large-scale superhero production like “Fantastic Four” was an extraordinary encounter, describing it as one-of-a-kind.

Indeed, it’s an unusual scene as all you can see are massive screens and an impressive number of 18 towering cranes. It does feel peculiar, yet it proved to be entertaining. The actors were delightful. Let’s wait and see how things unfold.

It’s not surprising that Seneca found the experience of working on a Marvel movie quite different from his previous projects. Unlike his past work, which was often grounded and practical, a Marvel film usually involves acting in front of green screens with towering VFX rigs and motion-capture performers. Given that he had turned down Marvel until now and spent much of his career in traditional dramatic and independent films, stepping onto an MCU set would have been quite a strange shift for him.

Nevertheless, in spite of the peculiar surroundings, John Malkovich spoke only positively about his experience on set. Furthermore, he noted:

John Malkovich spoke highly of his time on set, even though the environment was unusual. Additionally, he mentioned:

Lastly, consider this option for a more conversational tone:

In an unexpected setting, John Malkovich couldn’t stop praising his experience on set. To top it off, he shared:

It was a good experience. I liked the cast. It was fun. It was interesting.

Coming from a two-time Academy Award nominee known for his diverse roles in films like “Being John Malkovich,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “Red,” and more, this is quite an endorsement. In the project he mentioned, Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby takes on Susan Storm/The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn portrays Johnny Storm/the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach assumes the role of Ben Grimm/The Thing.

Despite keeping quiet about his character, there’s been much buzz online regarding the actor from the “Man in the Iron Mask.” Some fans speculate a possible link to “Spider-Man,” but I find that unlikely. Here are some potential roles that our Illinois-born performer could plausibly take on:

1. John Henry Irons (aka Steel)
2. Jim Corrigan (The Spectre)
3. Richard Swift (Doctor Fate)
4. Simon Stagg (Villain or Mentor to various characters)
5. Hank Pym (Ant-Man)

  • Puppet Master – Few of the Fantastic Four’s villains have a more personal vendetta than Philip Masters, the Puppet Master. Using rare radioactive clay, he can control people like marionettes. His obsession often leads to conflicts with Ben Grimm, aka The Thing (played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach), due to Masters’ adopted daughter, Alicia, having a close bond with him.
  • The Red Ghost – One of the more popular theories, which gained traction after the Color Me Kubrick actor’s brief appearance in the teaser, is that he might be portraying The Red Ghost. This character was first introduced in Fantastic Four #13 in 1963. Ivan Kragoff is a Soviet scientist who acquires the ability to phase through solid objects following an experiment gone wrong in space. Additionally, he commands a trio of superpowered apes.
  • Nathaniel Richards – If Marvel Studios wants to lay the groundwork for the Fantastic Four’s future in the MCU, the Ripley alum could be an ideal choice for Nathaniel Richards, the time-traveling genius and father of Reed Richards. In the comics, Nathaniel travels across timelines, delivering cryptic warnings and pivotal revelations that change Marvel’s history. Malkovich’s talent for playing enigmatic characters makes him a fitting candidate and, with MCU’s multiverse in play, introducing Nathaniel could lead to exciting storytelling opportunities.
  • Franklin Richards – Some fans believe John Malkovich might not be a villain but a future version of Franklin Richards, son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby). Although the teaser doesn’t mention Franklin directly, his involvement isn’t ruled out. In Marvel Comics, Franklin is an incredibly powerful mutant capable of reshaping reality. With the MCU introducing mutants, having Franklin appear as an older version of himself could be a bold choice.

Currently, it’s all guesswork, but speculation is part of the excitement when discussing new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) releases. John Malkovich may portray a villain, a hero, or something in between, but what we know for certain is that he enjoyed his time on set, which will likely result in an unforgettable performance in the upcoming F4. The film, titled First Steps, is scheduled to premiere on July 25, 2025, so fans won’t have long to discover the truth.

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2025-02-24 03:42