Fan Casting John Krasinski's The Fantastic Four

• riotxvl

  Back in 2022, Kevin Feige initially intended for John Krasinski to only appear as a cameo in "Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness" to please the fans, but after it was such a terrible cameo it only made the fans angry instead. Feige then decided to continue with the idea of John Krasinski as the main MCU Reed Richards to make up for it. John accepted and it was announced during the 2022 D23.

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• riotxvl

  After Jon Watts left the project to focus on stuff outside of superheroes, the studio had a short list of potential people to take over. The directors listed by Marvel were: Matt Shakman (WandaVision), Bryce Dallas Howard (Mandalorian) and Jason Reitman (Ghostbusters: Afterlife).

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• riotxvl

  In 2023, John Krasinski ultimately decided to take in a bigger role in the project by stepping in as Director too. Feige agreed since John was already a renown director in the industry and had the contacts to make an amazing ensemble cast. John brought in Michael Sarnoski to write the film with him after they recently worked together to write "A Quiet Place: Day One". Michael Beltrami, mostly known for his work in the scream franchise, Logan and Ford v Ferrari, was chosen as the Composer after working with John for both "A Quiet Place" movies. Lastly Wolfgang Stagemann was chosen as the choreographer after a recommendation from John's wife, Emily Blunt, whom she worked with for "Edge of Tomorrow".

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• riotxvl

  The Internet was excited to see Emily Blunt portray Sue Storm, but John knew about the discomfort she had with the character after being harassed of playing it for years. So instead of casting Emily in the role, he asked for her help in casting another actress, Emily accepted to help with the process. The shortlist was soon after released, it consisted of: Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate), Margot Robbie (Barbie), Vanessa Kirby (Napoleon) and Imogen Poots (Need for Speed). A few days later Annabelle Wallis (Peaky Blinders) and Betty Gilpin (GLOW) joined the shortlist.

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• riotxvl

  After some talks, the last 2 were Margot Robbie, which Emily suggested and knew since they became friends after wearing similar dresses in 2 award events. And Annabelle Wallis, which their friend, Cillian Murphy, recommended to John and Emily after co-staring in Peaky Blinders with her. Wallis bombed the chemistry test and so Margot got the role, she accepted to “stick it up” to WB after they cut her royalties for Barbie.

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• riotxvl

  After Sue was casted, it was time to move on to Johnny Storm. They wanted someone to really give the essence of the youngest in the group and have a superstar feeling. The ones shortlisted were: Colin Ford (Daybreak), Austin Abrams (Dash & Lily), Rudy Pankow (Outer Banks) and Michael Provost (Insatiable).

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• riotxvl

  But they ultimately went with Rudy Pankow after the overwhelming desire from the fans of Rudy in the role and a great word from Tom Holland, whom he met in the "Uncharted" premiere. It was later confirmed that Tom had a saying in the casting process because he would also be in the movie.

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• riotxvl

  The last one of the four to get cast was Ben Grimm. John looked for Jewish actors that could serve as both the protective big brother aspect while also being able to deliver some lines with comedy. John wanted to homage Stan Lee and Jack Kirby by having Ben Grimm being both a tragic character but also comedy relief for the group as both Lee and Kirby intended the character to be. The ones considered were: Jason Segel (Shrinking), Cole Hauser (Yellowstone), Daveed Diggs (Hamilton) and Seth Rogen (This is the End). After a motion capture test, Jason Segel was the one selected for the role, supported by the chemistry he had with John after being long time friends.

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• riotxvl

  The cast of the Fantastic Four was complete, receiving an overwhelming love from the fans. Kevin Feige decided to rebrand the movie as "The Fantastic Four" to differentiate it from it's predecessors. Some days later Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks) and Nicole Beharie (42) joined the cast to play Franklin Storm and Alicia Masters respectively.

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• riotxvl

  The main villain of the movie was revealed to be Annihilus along with the shortlist for the role, which included: Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Crispin Glover (Back to the Future), Jackie Earle Haley (Nightmere on Elm Street) and Ralph Ineson (The Green Knight). Some weeks later it was announced that the role went to Ralph Ineson, someone John knew from "The Office UK" and "The Office US" reunion. John also liked Bryan’s audition a lot so he decided to give him the role of Galactus, Bryan accepted after knowing John for many years.

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