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The Ultimate Guide To The Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast: 9 Shocking Roles And The 1960s Twist

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The wait is finally over: After years of speculation and countless rumors, Marvel Studios has officially unveiled the star-studded cast for their highly anticipated film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for release on July 25, 2025. This new cinematic iteration promises to be unlike any previous version, not only due to its powerhouse ensemble but also because of a major, confirmed twist in its setting and plot. As of today, December 25, 2025, the full roster of actors is locked in, bringing a blend of critically acclaimed veterans and rising stars into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to form the First Family of Marvel.

This article breaks down every confirmed actor and their role, from the core quartet to the major cosmic villain and the surprising supporting players, providing the most current and authoritative guide to the team's MCU debut. Directed by the talented Matt Shakman, this film is poised to redefine the legacy of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, launching them into a unique corner of the MCU.

The Confirmed Fantastic Four: A New Era for Marvel's First Family

The core casting announcement, famously dropped on Valentine's Day 2024, set the internet ablaze, confirming the four actors who will be donning the iconic blue and white suits. This quartet represents a strategic move by Marvel Studios, blending global star power with critically respected dramatic depth, ensuring the familial heart of the team remains intact.

Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic

Taking on the role of the brilliant, elastic leader, Reed Richards, is the globally recognized actor Pedro Pascal. Pascal, known for his roles in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, brings a unique gravitas and emotional complexity to the character of Mister Fantastic, the genius scientist whose stretchy powers allow him to solve the universe's most complex problems. His casting signals Marvel's intent to anchor the franchise with a figure capable of carrying both scientific ambition and personal vulnerability. Pascal’s portrayal is expected to explore the pressures of being the smartest man in the world.

Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman

The role of Sue Storm, the heart and soul of the team, goes to the accomplished British actress Vanessa Kirby. Kirby, celebrated for her work in The Crown and Mission: Impossible, is set to portray the Invisible Woman. Her character possesses the power of invisibility and the ability to generate powerful force fields. Kirby's casting suggests a powerful, emotionally intelligent Sue Storm, moving beyond previous portrayals to highlight her vital role as both a scientist and the emotional center that holds the Fantastic Four together.

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch

The charismatic and fiery Johnny Storm is played by Joseph Quinn, who gained massive fame in Stranger Things. As the Human Torch, Quinn will embody the youthful exuberance and reckless energy of the team's youngest member, whose ability to engulf himself in flame and fly makes him a fan-favorite. His dynamic with Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm, as brother and sister, will be a key emotional anchor for the film, focusing on their sibling rivalry and deep bond.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing

Rounding out the core quartet is Ebon Moss-Bachrach, cast as Ben Grimm, better known as the rock-skinned powerhouse, The Thing. Moss-Bachrach, an Emmy winner for The Bear, brings a nuanced, world-weary quality to Ben, whose transformation into The Thing is both a source of immense strength and profound tragedy. The emotional depth of his character, particularly his famous catchphrase, "It's Clobberin' Time!", is expected to be a major highlight, focusing on his friendship with Reed Richards.

The Cosmic Threat and The Herald: Galactus and Silver Surfer

A Fantastic Four film is only as good as its villains, and Marvel Studios has confirmed two of the most significant cosmic entities from the comics, ensuring the stakes are immediately sky-high for the team's debut.

Ralph Ineson as Galactus, The Devourer of Worlds

In a major confirmation that excited comic book fans, the towering, planet-devouring cosmic being Galactus will be portrayed by veteran actor Ralph Ineson. Known for his distinctively deep voice and imposing presence in projects like The Witch and Game of Thrones, Ineson is perfectly suited to voice the immense power and existential threat of Galactus. His appearance confirms that the Fantastic Four's first cinematic outing will be a cosmic epic, immediately establishing the team as defenders of the entire planet, not just a single city.

Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, The Silver Surfer

In another exciting twist, the film will feature a female version of the classic character, the Silver Surfer. The Emmy-winning actress Julia Garner has been cast as Shalla-Bal, a version of the Silver Surfer from the Marvel comics who acts as the herald of Galactus. This choice is a fresh take on the character, who is traditionally Norrin Radd. Shalla-Bal's role as the reluctant servant to Galactus, who searches the cosmos for worlds for her master to consume, is expected to provide a complex moral dilemma and stunning visual spectacle as she surfs the spaceways.

The Supporting Cast and the 1960s Retro-Future Setting

Beyond the main heroes and villains, the film is populated with key supporting characters, some of whom are deep cuts from the comics, further cementing the film's commitment to topical authority and its unique 1960s aesthetic.

The Retro-Future of The Fantastic Four: First Steps

One of the most unique and exciting aspects of the film is its confirmed setting: a retro-futuristic 1960s. This creative decision is a direct homage to the team's original 1961 comic book debut, giving the MCU a new, visually distinct timeline to explore. Director Matt Shakman has embraced the mid-century modern aesthetic, promising a vibrant, stylish world that is both familiar and technologically advanced, allowing the film to stand apart from the rest of the MCU's modern-day stories. This setting will also explain why the team has not appeared in the main MCU timeline until now.

Key Supporting Players and Their Roles

  • Paul Walter Hauser as Mole Man: The acclaimed actor, known for his versatility, will portray the classic Fantastic Four villain, the Mole Man. His inclusion suggests the team will face grounded, subterranean threats alongside the cosmic ones, perhaps in the film’s first act.
  • Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols: Niles, famous for her role in Ted Lasso, is confirmed to play Lynne Nichols, a character described as a key ally and the chief of staff of the Future Foundation. She is also noted to be a sister-figure to Sue Storm, indicating a strong, supportive presence outside the immediate family unit.
  • Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman: The distinct and beloved actress Natasha Lyonne has been cast in the role of Rachel Rozman, a newly created character for the MCU. While her exact function is mysterious, her presence adds another layer of intrigue and star power to the ensemble.

The Villain Who Got Cut: John Malkovich's Red Ghost

In a fascinating piece of industry news, the legendary actor John Malkovich was originally cast as the villain Ivan Kragoff, also known as the Red Ghost, one of the Fantastic Four's earliest comic antagonists. However, director Matt Shakman confirmed that Malkovich’s scenes as the Red Ghost were ultimately cut from the final version of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This detail highlights the meticulous process of crafting the film and leaves open the possibility of the Red Ghost appearing in a future MCU project.

Topical Authority and The MCU's Multiverse

The casting and setting of The Fantastic Four: First Steps are crucial to the larger narrative of the MCU's Multiverse Saga. By setting the film in a distinct 1960s reality, Marvel Studios can introduce the First Family without having to retroactively fit them into the main continuity. This allows for a clean, fresh start, paying homage to the source material's initial tone and aesthetic.

The sheer number of confirmed comic-book entities—Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing, Galactus, Silver Surfer (Shalla-Bal), and Mole Man—demonstrates a strong commitment to topical authority and a deep dive into the Fantastic Four's mythos. The film is not just about the four heroes; it's about their entire world and the cosmic forces that shape it. The inclusion of the Future Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by Reed Richards in the comics, further hints at the long-term plans for the team within the wider cinematic universe.

With a release date rapidly approaching in July 2025, and a cast that is arguably the most exciting and diverse assembly of talent for the team yet, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is shaping up to be one of the most significant and defining entries in the current phase of the MCU. The combination of Pedro Pascal's dramatic weight, the cosmic threat of Ralph Ineson's Galactus, and the stylish 1960s setting ensures this will be a must-see cinematic event.

actors in the new fantastic four
actors in the new fantastic four

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