We still don't have a confirmed cast list for Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot, but all signs point to Doctor Doom becoming one of the franchise's most coveted roles.
Ben Mendelsohn is no stranger to playing a bad guy after starring in the likes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Ready Player One, but took on a heroic role in the MCU as Captain Marvel and Secret Invasion's Talos. The shape-shifting Skrull died in the latter series, but does that leave the door open to Mendelsohn playing another character for Marvel Studios? He certainly seems to hope so!
"I would almost give my eyes and teeth to play Doctor Doom," the actor tells GQ. "I think Doctor Doom is the great unread Marvel character that could and should be done. But it is what it is."
"I got to work with Spielberg, and I got to work with Terrence Malick, and I got to work with Ridley Scott. It’s been incredible. I didn’t think this ship was coming."
With Doom's scarred face likely to remain hidden beneath his mask, there's a very good chance Mendelsohn could get a second chance in the MCU as this villain. However, we'd bet on Marvel Studios looking for another big name who is new to the franchise to take on the role.
After all, Mendelsohn isn't the only actor who has expressed interest in playing the MCU's Doom. Last year, Top Gun: Maverick star Jon Hamm also threw his name into the hat when he said, "There are certainly a lot of stories in the X-Men world to be told. Fantastic Four as well, [like] Doctor Doom. There are so many great things out there. But yeah, I hope I get a chance. Who knows?"
Doom isn't expected to play a significant role in Fantastic Four; in fact, we're hearing the villain will only appear in a post-credits scene, setting the stage for him to play a bigger role in a possible sequel.
There were rumblings about Marvel Studios replacing Kang the Conqueror with Doom for the remainder of the Multiverse Saga but that never really made sense. Instead, the plan is to put Kang on the back burner for now before replacing Jonathan Majors with a different actor.
With Pedro Pascal essentially confirmed to play Mister Fantastic in Fantastic Four, we currently expect Vanessa Kirby to join him as Invisible Woman, a character previously described as the movie's lead. Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, meanwhile, will (probably) play the Human Torch and The Thing, respectively.
Last we heard, Javier Bardem is being eyed to play Galactus, though Antonio Banderas supposedly also remains in the mix to suit up as the Eater of Worlds.
Director Matt Shakman has worked with both Avatar: The Way of Water co-writer Josh Friedman and WandaVision's Cam Squires on the latest draft of Fantastic Four's screenplay. The movie is currently scheduled to be released in theaters on May 2, 2025.