Cruella and Richard Jewell star Paul Walter Hauser is one of the most exciting additions to The Fantastic Four, but as we write this, there's still no word on who he's playing.
Mole Man is the most popular suggestion among comic book fans, though it's just as easy to imagine him voicing H.E.R.B.I.E., for example. Marvel's First Family has many allies and enemies on the page so Hauser could ultimately be portraying any number of characters in the upcoming reboot.
Talking to Screen Rant, Hauser broke his silence on joining The Fantastic Four and confirmed he's playing someone from the comics.
"[All] I can say is that I, in some iteration, am in the movie The Fantastic Four until I get fired or recast. So I can't say anything about the character I'm playing, but know that it is in the sort of lexicon and mythology of The Fantastic Four stories," the actor teased. "And it's a very distinct character that I'm excited to play and I'm kind of mapping out what I'm doing with that right now.
"But I've always wanted to be a part of a cinematic universe. I spent a lot of time trying to campaign to play the Penguin in the Matt Reeves film, and that of course went to Colin Farrell and he did a masterful job and it was totally different than what I was trying to do. So I really appreciate Marvel giving me the time of day and entrusting a role to me in some capacity that I get to be a part of that family."
As for what drew him to the project, the Black Bird star added, "I think it's the folks who are involved. The writers and the director, Matt Shakman, his department heads and the cast alone. I just looked at it and I went, I have a guttural instinct that this will be a special movie with or without me, and I want to be a part of this."
"Whatever small piece of the puzzle I'm playing in that film, I'm going to give it my entire heart and soul, and try to enjoy the process, because it is very special to be a kid who grew up enjoying comic books, and animated shows and movies, and now getting to be some part of that," Hauser concluded. "It's really special."
The presence of Galactus and Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four suggests the movie will be a largely cosmic adventure, meaning we should also look to outer space when it comes to the possible role Hauser will fill in this reboot.
Marvel Studios has announced that Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing) will lead The Fantastic Four cast. Julia Garner has also joined the reboot as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer.
Recent additions to the cast include Paul Walter Hauser and John Malkovich in mystery roles, along with Ralph Ineson as the villainous Galactus.
Director Matt Shakman worked with both Avatar: The Way of Water co-writer Josh Friedman and WandaVision's Cam Squires on The Fantastic Four's screenplay, with Eric Pearson (Black Widow) recently coming on board for a final polish.
The movie is set to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025.