Fantastic Four Is Pedro Pascal's Fifth Comic Book Adaptation (& You Can Only Watch 3 Of Them)
Summary
Marvel's 2025 movie lineup brings in a mix of new talent like Natasha Lyonne and Joseph Quinn alongside seasoned performers like Harrison Ford. The Fantastic Four film marks the introduction of Marvel's First Family to the MCU, featuring a star-studded cast including Vanessa Kirby and John Malkovich. Actors like Pedro Pascal and Mia Goth are joining the MCU in roles like Reed Richards and the villain Lilith, adding new dimensions to the universe.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has always found a good balance between casting little-known actors and casting some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. For every Chris Hemsworth or Simu Liu, who essentially had their careers launched by their Marvel roles, the studio would cast a Brie Larson or a Michael Douglas. With the MCU timeline having now been going on for well over a decade, the universe has grown yet larger, and even more great performers have been lured to join. This is especially true for Marvel's 2025 movie roster, which sees a wide variety of stars set to join the franchise.
Following a lighter year in 2024, 2025 is intended to be a big year for Marvel Studios. While the Thunderbolts* cast is filled chiefly with returning stars from the MCU, Captain America: Brave New World intends to introduce some exciting new characters, and The Fantastic Four's multiverse setting needs to be made from an entirely new cast. With Blade still set to release in 2025, a great deal of new characters will be joining the MCU, and familiar faces will play a fair number of them.
10 Natasha Lyonne
The Fantastic Four
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Natasha Lyonne has had a long career in Hollywood, starring in films like But I'm a Cheerleader and American Pie in the 1990s and continuing to work steadily throughout the years. A spunky performer with an unusual, blasé charm, Lyonne's effortless cool has recently found the actor appearing in more contemporary projects. Lyonne starred in Russian Doll on Netflix to great acclaim, and has most recently led the detective series Poker Face.
Natasha Lyonne recently joined the growing cast for The Fantastic Four in an undisclosed role. She will certainly be an asset to an already wonderful cast, although exactly how she could best be used is unclear. Her wit and voice could suit a cosmic CGI character just as well as a human, with a popular fancasting theory placing her as The Thing's girlfriend, Alicia Masters.
The Fantastic Four (2025)
Marvel's Fantastic Four is the first MCU movie to feature Marvel's First Family in the same live-action universe as the Avengers. It introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, and precedes Phase 6's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Director Matt Shakman
Release Date July 25, 2025
Cast Pedro Pascal , Vanessa Kirby , Ebon Moss-Bachrach , Joseph Quinn , Ralph Ineson , Paul Walter Hauser , Natasha Lyonne , John Malkovich , Julia Garner
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10 Best Characters Natasha Lyonne Could Be Playing In The Fantastic Four
Natasha Lyonne has joined The Fantastic Four's cast in an undisclosed role, and there are several iconic Marvel characters she could bring to the MCU.
9 Joseph Quinn
Joseph Quinn has quickly become one of the most in-demand stars in the world. Following a star-making turn in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things as fan-favorite character Eddie Munson, the actor has been in talks for all kinds of roles in all sorts of projects. In 2024, he co-led A Quiet Place: Day One alongside Lupita Nyong'o, and he will next be appearing in the highly anticipated Gladiator II.
Next year, Quinn will follow in the footsteps of superstars Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan in playing Johnny Storm. A different kind of actor who exudes a different kind of cool, Quinn's charm and ability promise to play a major part in the upcoming film. Seeing how Quinn fits into the MCU and its upcoming stories is set to be a bright spot in the franchise's future.
MCU Fantastic Four Actor Joseph Quinn Talks "Big Boots" To Fill After Chris Evans' Human Torch
Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn comments on Chris Evans' Human Torch and how he is taking on Johnny Storm in Marvel's The Fantastic Four.
8 Vanessa Kirby
Vanessa Kirby has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors. She rose to prominence on Netflix's The Crown where she played Princess Margaret. Following this, Kirby has appeared in action films and dramas alike, appearing in movies like Mission: Impossible - Fallout and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and gaining award recognition for dramatic portrayals in films like Pieces of a Woman.
Kirby will play Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four and, if early rumors still apply, may be the lead of the film. With her talent and screen presence, the actor is a perfect choice for The Invisible Woman. Imagining future interactions with figures like Namor the Sub-Mariner who have comic Fantastic Four ties - and the character's integration into the Multiverse Saga and potentially beyond - becomes more exciting with such a strong performer.
7 Giancarlo Esposito
Captain America: Brave New World
Giancarlo Esposito has built a career out of playing villains, and it appears that the pattern will not end in 2025. After casting rumors suggested the performer was interested in playing a hero in the MCU, new set photos seemingly confirmed that Giancarlo Esposito would be playing a villain in Captain America: Brave New World. This is supposed to be a smaller role that the actor has said will lead to an appearance in a series, although his role in the Brave New World trailer seems quite prominent.
Following villainous turns in The Mandalorian and The Boys, Esposito has carved a niche for himself with his cold, stoic demeanor, though he's also proved himself as capable of playing a far broader range across the course of his history. The actor has been around for decades, but it wasn't until his portrayal of Gus Fring on Breaking Bad that he became one of Hollywood's most sought-after performers. With experience, range, and an ability to express an indomitable will for his characters, Esposito will make a strong addition to the MCU.
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
Director Julius Onah
Release Date February 14, 2025
Cast Anthony Mackie , Harrison Ford , Tim Blake Nelson , Carl Lumby , Danny Ramirez , shira haas
New MCU Villain Actor Sports Striking Look In Captain America: Brave New World Set Photo
Captain America: Brave New World will pit Sam Wilson against the Leader, Giancarlo Esposito's mysterious character, and more MCU villains.
6 Anthony Ramos
Ironheart
Anthony Ramos has been rising in Hollywood these past years. The actor first came to fame after a run on Broadway in the mega-hit musical Hamilton and has been appearing in prominent movie and TV projects ever since. Most prominently, the actor appeared in the cast of In the Heights and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and is set to next appear in Twisters.
Ramos will be playing The Hood on the Disney+ series Ironheart. With ties to the spiritual realm, The Hood is a new kind of supervillain that will tie the world of technology to the world of magic and the occult. Ironheart is currently intended to be released near September of 2025, allowing audiences to see Ramos appear alongside Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams on-screen.
Set after Dominique Thorne's MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios' Ironheart series follows Riri Williams as she follows in Iron Man's steps as a high-tech superhero and crosses paths with Anthony Ramos' Parker Robbins a.k.a. The Hood, a magic user with ties to the dark arts. The six-episode Disney+ series is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 5.
Cast Manny Montana , Dominique Thorne , Anthony Ramos , Harper Anthony , Alden Ehrenreich , Lyric Ross
Streaming Service(s) Disney+
Writers Chinaka Hodge
Ironheart Show Cast & Marvel Character Guide
Following her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ironheart will explore Riri Williams's story with a talented new cast joining the MCU.
5 Rosa Salazar
Rosa Salazar has had a successful career in Hollywood for years, appearing in various films and television. The actor is perhaps best known for portraying the titular character in the James Cameron-produced Alita: Battle Angel. Based on the Gunnm manga, Salazar was animated over her performance in the film, but her ability and charm shone through the CGI visage.
Following appearances in The Maze Runner films, Salazar also led the trippy and strange Prime Video series Undone in another animated role. She is intended to show her natural face, however, in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World where she will be playing the villain Diamondback, setting up a promising opportunity for the actor to flex her ability to make larger-than-life worlds and characters feel real. Notably, this Diamondback has nothing to do with the villain of the same name in Luke Cage.
Captain America: Brave New World Cast & Marvel Character Guide
Sam Wilson's big-screen debut as the MCU's Captain America will bring back several familiar faces, while also introducing new and exciting characters.
4 John Malkovich
John Malkovich has had a long, successful career in Hollywood. Starring in films like Of Mice and Men and Con Air, the actor built such a following that Charlie Kaufman wrote Being John Malkovich, a meta film that required the famed performer to play himself. Following several Academy Award nominations, the performer has built an incredible resume and will lend his talents to the MCU in 2025.
Malkovich's role in The Fantastic Four has not been disclosed. However, the actor's casting feels analogous to the great Michael Douglas as Hank Pym in the Ant-Man films. Malkovich, who nearly played the Vulture in Sam Raimi's canceled Spider-Man 4, will likely play a human character - perhaps even one of the heroes' fathers, if some theories are to be believed.
10 Best Marvel Characters John Malkovich Could Be Playing In The Fantastic Four
Marvel has confirmed that John Malkovich is joining the cast of the MCU's The Fantastic Four, but which character he will play is still unknown.
3 Mia Goth
Blade
Mia Goth, currently one of the most prominent actors, made a mark with her roles in High Life and Emma. Her performances in X and Pearl further solidified her star status. In her latest project, Maxxxine, she delivers her most bizarre, compelling, and disturbing performance yet, showcasing her unparalleled versatility.
There are strong rumors that Mia Goth will portray the villainous Lillith in the highly anticipated Blade reboot. Her unique presence is expected to add a new dimension to the film, especially alongside Mahershala Ali's return to the MCU. Even in the midst of intense action, a Mia Goth performance is impossible to ignore.
Blade (2025)
Marvel Studios' Blade sees the return of the iconic vampire hunter more than two decades after Wesley Snipes first played the character in live-action. Starring Mahershala Ali as Eric Brooks, the Blade reboot officially introduces vampires to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Eternals' second post-credits scene teased the Daywalker's MCU debut. Ali is accompanied by Delroy Lindo and Aaron Pierre in Yann Demange's 2024 dark superhero movie.
Release Date November 7, 2025
Studio(s) Disney
Cast Mahershala Ali , Delroy Lindo , Aaron Pierre
6 Marvel Characters Mia Goth Could Play In MCU's Blade
Mia Goth's MCU casting in Blade has kept her role a secret, but there are a few Marvel characters that the horror movie star could be playing.
2 Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal has already played a villain in the DCEU in Wonder Woman 1984, and now he is finally crossing over to the MCU. The actor, who rose to prominence during a season-long appearance in Game of Thrones, has grown in popularity and fame throughout the years, starring in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us.
Pascal has captured the hearts of audiences with his dad-like look and charm and will next appear beside his Fantastic Four co-star Joseph Quinn in Gladiator II. After a rotation of rumored names for the role, including Adam Driver, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Matt Smith, Pascal was cast in The Fantastic Four as Reed Richards. As the anchor for Marvel's first family, they couldn't have chosen anyone more stable.
Pedro Pascal's comic book adaptation career has spanned five movies including the MCU's Fantastic Four, but only three of them are viewable.
1 Harrison Ford
One of the biggest stars of all time, carpenter-turned-actor Harrison Ford will join the MCU in Captain America: Brave New World as Thaddeus Ross. The recasting came as a surprise following the passing of William Hurt, although Ford is an excellent choice to succeed Hurt. Following iconic roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford has become one of the most enjoyable actors to see onscreen, with a considerable selection of past work that demonstrates his acting prowess effectively and efficiently.
While his more recent work has leaned into the gruff, grumpy side of Ford, the actor still has a dynamic range, as evidenced by his performance in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking. Still, even if the actor approaches his MCU role solely in this gruffer manner, Ford will add a great deal of gravitas to the film. Following the recent trailer, he may also transform into the villainous Red Hulk, which could make for some of the most wildly exciting and fun moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount's Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
Created by Kevin Feige
Upcoming Films Deadpool & Wolverine , Captain America: Brave New World , Thunderbolts (2025) , Blade (2025) , The Fantastic Four (2025) , Avengers: The Kang Dynasty , Avengers: Secret Wars
Upcoming Marvel Movies
Release Date
Deadpool & Wolverine
July 26, 2024
February 14, 2025
Thunderbolts*
May 2, 2025
July 25, 2025
November 7, 2025
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
May 1, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars
May 7, 2027
