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.