- The Fantastic Four: First Steps is released in July 2025
- The film will introduce Marvel’s first family to the MCU
- John Malkovich stars in a mystery role
Acting heavyweight John Malkovich has shed a little more light on his upcoming appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The role will mark his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, also known as the MCU. However, according to the star, it isn’t the first time he’s been asked to suit up.
Read more: Is The Red Ghost in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
While the Being John Malkovich actor remained tight-lipped regarding his role, he recently revealed what finally convinced him to join the superhero genre.
Spoilers: it wasn’t the artistic promise of joining people in blue tights.
Speaking to GQ, Malkovich explained that the real reason he joined The Fantastic Four: First Steps came down to money.
Read more: Who plays Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
“The reason I didn’t do them had nothing to do with any artistic considerations whatsoever,” the actor told the outlet. He went on to explain that he’d been offered Marvel roles on multiple occasions but the pay wasn’t good enough.
“I didn’t like the deals they made, at all. These films are quite gruelling to make… If you’re going to hang from a crane in front of a green screen for six months, pay me. You don’t want to pay me, it’s cool, but then I don’t want to do it, because I’d rather be onstage, or be directing a play, or doing something else.”
Who does John Malkovich play in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
As it stands, we don’t know who Malkovich will play in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Still, that hasn’t stopped intrepid fans from guessing.
The role at the top of most comic and movie fans’ minds appears to be The Red Ghost. Better known as Ivan Kragoff, this Russian supervillain and foe of the Fantastic Four first appeared in issue 13 of the superhero family’s comic book adventures in 1963.
He’s a Soviet scientist who becomes obsessed with trying to replicate the space-set scenario that gave Reed Richards and his family their superpowers.
Instead of his own brood, Kragoff is joined by three research apes on a journey into space. The mission proves successful, with each gaining their own set of super powers. These include shapeshifting, super-strength and mind-control for his simian pals and invisibility for Kragoff, hence the moniker The Red Ghost.
We don’t know for sure if this is who Malkovich will play in The Fantastic Four: First Steps but the star seemed to enjoy playing the role. In the same GQ interview, he explained that he joined the project to work with director Matt Shakman again after 2014’s Cut Bank and likened the experience to working on the stage.
He said it’s “not that dissimilar to doing theatre” adding that “you imagine a bunch of stuff that isn’t there and do your little play.”
When is The Fantastic Four: First Steps released?
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released theatrically on 25 July 2025.
Shakman’s movie will feature Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards AKA the elastic Mr Fantastic. He’ll be joined by Vanessa Kirby’s Invisible Woman Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn’s Human Torch Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm AKA The Thing.
Together, they’ll be flanked by appearances from Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer, Ralph Ineson’s villain Galactus and a handful of other names in yet-to-be-revealed roles.
