John Krasinski was a fan-favorite pick to play Fantastic Four leader Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, long before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was even announced, so audiences were understandably delighted to see the A Quiet Place actor/director suit-up as the character in the Marvel Studios sequel.
Though director Sam Raimi did indicate that this was a bit of a "stunt-cameo" shortly after the movie's release, many assumed Krasinski would eventually reprise the role, and hoped to see him return for the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot.
Unfortunately, that's looking less and less likely.
While speaking to The Wrap about the third season of Jack Ryan, Krasinski was asked if there's been any discussion about him stepping back into the role of Reed Richards.
“There aren’t any discussions at all, the only discussion I had was actually in the second-to-last week of Jack Ryan,” he said. “Kevin Feige called and said would you ever fly to L.A. and play in our sandbox for a day? I was honored to do it. I flew right from Budapest when we wrapped and went right to the ‘Doctor Strange’ set. I’m a big fan of all those characters and that world, so to get to play in that sandbox for one day was a real thrill.”
Like his fellow Illuminati members, Richards came to a messy end when he confronted the rampaging Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen).
“It’s totally insane. To be in a room with all those people, and again to be a part of that narrative is crazy,” Krasinski added. “But yeah, being turned into spaghetti wasn’t my end goal in life as far as how it goes in the Marvel universe, but you know what it was fun nonetheless.”
Marvel Studios and director Matt Shakman are currently casting for the new FF movie, though - a few rumors aside - we're not sure if anyone has emerged as a frontrunner to play one of the four main parts.
The reboot is set to hit theaters on February 14, 2025.