Disney has just announced the director of Fantastic Four, WandaVision’s Matt Shakman. Now all that’s left is to reveal the cast.
It seems that fan-cast John Krasinski will not be playing Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic. You actor, Penn Badgley, who has been rumored for some time now seems to be the most likely candidate. Devin Faraci just talked about how Badgley is the frontrunner, as opposed to a more diverse concept.
“I’ve long been stumping for a Black Reed Richards. I think John David Washington would be an incredible Reed Richards, I mean I’ve been stumping for this forever, and I’m not going to get it. I’m not going to get a Black Reed either. [Reed Richards] is going to be very traditional, is my guess. The guys that [Marvel Studios] been talking to about it are all white guys. That guy [Penn Badgley] from the show You, who probably has the role already, frankly, he’s a white guy. They’re going with the standard… And he’s terrific, by the way, that’s a good choice. But, they’re going very classical.”
Devin Faraci, Marvelvision Podcast
All major characters in the MCU have reflected the race of their counterparts in the comics to this point, with only rare exceptions (Sam Jackson’s Nick Fury, Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie, Zendaya’s MJ). Badgley’s involvement in Fantastic Four is still a rumor at this moment, so we will have to wait for confirmation.
