The legendary John Malkovich has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Multiple trades are reporting that the Con Air and Being John Malkovich star has boarded Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four in an undisclosed role. This news follows the announcement that Paul Walter Houser (Black Bird, Cruella) has also joined the ensemble.
Details on his character are also being kept under wraps, but there's a lot of speculation that he might be playing the villainous Mole Man. As for Malkovich, there are several supporting parts that have yet to be announced, including Galactus (unlikely) and Doctor Franklin Storm.
Both actors join Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) as Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning) as Sue Storm, aka the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Punisher, The Bear) as Ben Grimm, aka the Thing.
Julia Garner is also on board as the Shalla-Bal version of The Silver Surfer, but there are rumors that the original Sentinel of the Spaceways, Norrin Radd, may also appear.
In a since-deleted social media post, Haunted Mansion and Atlanta star LaKeith Stanfield commented on Garner's casting by saying, "Thought it was going to be me but ig," leading to speculation that he may have been cast as Radd.
Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) and Mads Mikkelsen (Rogue One) have been mentioned as the studio's top picks to play Doctor Doom, but other actors are sure to be in contention. Galactus has been confirmed as the main villain, but no actor is currently in talks for the part. Last we heard, Javier Bardem was said to be the "top choice" to play the Eater of Worlds, but it was noted that scheduling conflicts may prevent him from signing on. Antonio Banderas was also a rumoured
Plot details are still a mystery, but The Fantastic Four will reportedly actually be set in an alternate universe. If accurate, this would obviously suggest that the characters will be Variants from some other part of the Multiverse that will eventually find their way to the main MCU timeline (possibly due to the interdimensional rift Dar-Benn caused at the end of The Marvels).
WandaVision director Matt Shakman will helm the movie, with Eric Pearson writing the latest draft of the script.
Shooting is expected to get underway this summer, and the film is set to bow on July 25, 2025.