Disney's reboot of Fantastic Four isn't even out of the gates yet, and fans are casting their favourite actors and actresses as the extraordinary quartet. And you know what? Some of these choices are proper inspired.
Now, it is generally accepted that the Fantastic Four films are... not good. This isn't an issue if you know that bad films make for good entertainment if you're poking fun at the wooden characters and the plot holes that are the size of the craters on the Moon. Of course, the Fantastic Four are comic book characters, and it's very important that a comic book adaptation is worthwhile because it's how the two-dimensional panels and the shocking page-turners come to life. Due to Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, they've got the rights to the characters now and if anyone's going to redeem the First Family of Marvel, it'll be the multibillion dollar mass media and entertainment conglomerate.
Disney revealed that Fantastic Four would be rebooted in December 2020, in its investor presentation which also announced a whole bunch of Marvel projects that are waiting in the wings. Jon Watts, who worked on Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home, will direct the film. Fans are feverish with excitement at the prospect, perceiving it as a clean slate for the Fantastic Four and their arcs. Following the false news that Jennifer Lawrence had snagged a role in the upcoming reboot, they're out en masse to offer their own interpretations of the iconic characters, and Disney's casting directors better be listening. Because these fancasts are fantastic. I had to. Sorry.
John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are the frontrunners for the roles of Reed Richards and Sue Storm. Krasinski has proven that he's deft with a devastating one liner as Jim Halpert in The Office, and he's willing to jump feet first into action-oriented roles like the ones in A Quiet Place and Jack Ryan. On the other hand, Blunt is a warm and empathetic leading lady, and holds her own when the going gets tough in Looper, Edge of Tomorrow, and Sicario. The two are married in real life, too, which is a big bonus for on-screen chemistry and a believable romance.
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Seeing John Cho and Constance Wu opposite each other as Mr Fantastic and The Invisible Woman would be an absolute treat. Cho starred in Searching, where he received praise for his performance as the father looking for his missing daughter. If you've not seen Crazy Rich Asians, Wu's role as Rachel showed that she's adept at playing no-nonsense yet sensitive characters. Manny Jacinto as Johnny Storm and Michael Cudlitz as Ben Grimm are excellent choices too, as both actors have the physicality required for the characters. As aforementioned, the new Fantastic Four is a clean slate, and an opportunity to develop a diverse cast.
Last but by no means least, this one puts the others to shame. Don Cheadle to play Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and The Thing. Not a typo - and Cheadle has the chops to deliver flawless performances of the characters. I would also personally hope that they opt for practical over special effects, and the actor is 'greenscreened' into group shots. Might make the scenes between Mr Fantastic and The Invisible Woman a bit problematic, though. And the best part of this fancast? He's free to become the Fantastic Four, because Disney announced that they will not be replacing Gina Carano, who played Cara Dune in The Mandalorian. Context: there was a petition to see Cheadle step into the shoes of the mercenary.
Nay, these are but flights of fancy until the official news arrives. But, there's no reason that a casting director wouldn't be swayed by social media, especially if you consider that they would be sure that the decision will be popular with fans... let's wait and see what happens.
