FANTASTIC FOUR: It Doesn't Appear Penn Badgley Is Being Eyed To Play Mister Fantastic After All

FANTASTIC FOUR: It Doesn't Appear Penn Badgley Is Being Eyed To Play Mister Fantastic After All

It appears Penn Badgley isn't a lock for Reed Richards after all, as the "scooper" who broke the news about him starring in Fantastic Four has now clarified his comments. Find more details after the jump!

By JoshWilding - Aug 29, 2022 09:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Fantastic Four

Earlier today, we learned that You star Penn Badgley was being eyed to play Mister Fantastic in Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot. It was said that the actor "probably has the role already," but disgraced reporter Devin Faraci has now backtracked and debunked his own comments. 

Confirming that he was only going by what he's seen on Reddit and "gut instinct," Faraci has made it clear that, as far as he's aware, Badgley isn't officially set to play Reed Richards in the MCU.

For many fans, this news will come as a relief. While Badgley is a talented actor, John Krasinski remains a firm fan-favourite choice to play the Fantastic Four leader, especially after his memorable (albeit brief) cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Anyone else, Badgley included, is bound to feel like a downgrade, so bringing him back as the MCU's Reed makes sense.

While we certainly can't discount Badgley, it's worth noting that his name is one that's only really come up on Reddit before now. There's nothing concrete to link him to the role, and, if anything, he's basically just someone who has been fan-cast on multiple occasions and whose name now seems to be gaining traction as a result. 

Last week, we learned that WandaVision director Matt Shakman is closing in on a deal to helm Fantastic Four, and the expectation now is that the movie's cast will be announced at D23. 

Marvel Studios has to get this right. The previous three Fantastic Four movies were not good, so it's not going to be easy bringing moviegoers back to the franchise. Even if they do, it's key that the reboot lives up to expectations as dropping the ball will mean Marvel's First Family are dead in the water (a disaster given how important they could be to the MCU's future). 

Hopefully, we'll get some official casting news as soon as next month. Even if Krasinski is a lock for Reed, we still don't know who will play the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and The Thing. 

Fantastic Four is set to be released in theaters on November 8, 2024.
 

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Itwasme
Itwasme - 8/29/2022, 9:27 AM
Shame, he'd have killed it!

I'll get my coat...
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 8/29/2022, 9:42 AM
@Itwasme - and don't forget your hat
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 8/29/2022, 9:59 AM
@Itwasme - he'd be a great Dr. Richards, but my heart is set on him playing Flashpoint Superman.
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 8/29/2022, 10:03 AM
@Itwasme -
Itwasme
Itwasme - 8/29/2022, 10:14 AM
@MyCoolYoung - now you're stretching it...

Heyooo!!!
Itwasme
Itwasme - 8/29/2022, 10:15 AM
@VictorAlonzo - hadn't thought of him a Superman before... thats a pretty legit idea.
WruceBayne
WruceBayne - 8/29/2022, 12:16 PM
@VictorAlonzo - he definitely could play Flashpoint Superman. Now I want that.
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 8/29/2022, 12:27 PM
@WruceBayne -
TheSuerJackAss
TheSuerJackAss - 8/29/2022, 9:28 AM
That cameo in Doctor Strange was horrible & not memorable
connorblaze
connorblaze - 8/29/2022, 9:39 AM
@TheJackAss - how do you remember?
TheSuerJackAss
TheSuerJackAss - 8/29/2022, 9:40 AM
@connorblaze - The smartest man in the world got his own friend killed & died like a punk himself
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 8/29/2022, 9:56 AM
@TheJackAss - That was not the prime Mr. Fantastic, just a variant version. And The Illuminati were meant to be painted as a bunch of asshats.
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 8/29/2022, 10:00 AM
@connorblaze -
TheSuerJackAss
TheSuerJackAss - 8/29/2022, 10:00 AM
@MosquitoFarmer - They had no business being in the movie. Strange could have just met Alternate Christine & the movie moves on faster. But apparently the director / writer admitted that they were only in the movie already because he could not come up with anything else for the second act. Variant or not its a disservice for the character. Like most of the MCU lately
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 8/29/2022, 10:20 AM
@TheJackAss - Could have, should have. It's done. You don't like it; plenty of people did like. Like anything.
TheSuerJackAss
TheSuerJackAss - 8/29/2022, 10:21 AM
@MosquitoFarmer - Not enough people liked it where it did not make $1 Billion HEY O
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/29/2022, 10:30 AM
@TheJackAss - Did you get the joke?
TheSuerJackAss
TheSuerJackAss - 8/29/2022, 10:42 AM
@dagenspear - Joke or not at the end of the day not enough people liked it
whatevtrev
whatevtrev - 8/29/2022, 11:15 AM
@TheJackAss - it took over $900 million which is still an insane amount. How old are you? 🤦
TheSuerJackAss
TheSuerJackAss - 8/29/2022, 11:47 AM
@whatevtrev - Dont kid yourself here the movie was made as a $1 Billion movie
EskimoJ
EskimoJ - 8/29/2022, 1:50 PM
@MosquitoFarmer - Every version is a variant version.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 8/29/2022, 3:55 PM
@EskimoJ - Yeah, but they clearly have the main versions they intend for us, and the main Reed Richards will be introduced in the Fantastic Four film.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 8/29/2022, 9:38 AM
Lol... can we never report on Devin Faraci again?
SauronthePower
SauronthePower - 8/29/2022, 5:26 PM
@regularmovieguy - the fact that Faraci and Harry Knowles ever influenced the pop culture lexicon in the first place is beyond disappointing.
MotherFuckerJon
MotherFuckerJon - 8/29/2022, 9:39 AM
Just bring Krasinski back. I don't understand what the issue is. Fans want it, Feige also apparently wanted it, in some capacity, and I'm certain Krasinski wouldn't mind those paychecks. It's best for everyone.
connorblaze
connorblaze - 8/29/2022, 9:40 AM
For the best. That guy has one of the more punchable faces I’ve seen. That’s so mean… but you know how some people just look like everyone you’ve ever hated? It’s the smarmy photo, I’m sure he’s a good dude.
PapaSpank54
PapaSpank54 - 8/29/2022, 9:41 AM
Damn, Penn would have been a good choice.
Dropping in once again to say [frick] John Krasinski.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 8/29/2022, 9:42 AM


The scoop game essentially
IcePyke
IcePyke - 8/29/2022, 9:42 AM
Matador
Matador - 8/29/2022, 9:45 AM
@RorMachine vs @JoshWilding



Or

MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 8/29/2022, 9:58 AM
@Matador - Oh man, I loved Celebrity Deathmatch growing up.

Origame
Origame - 8/29/2022, 9:52 AM
That was admitted a weird choice.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 8/29/2022, 9:55 AM
I've never seen his work. But his name immediately and will always make me think of this from Horrible Bosses.

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