The Fantastic FourIs Back! See the 2025 Cast Side-by-Side with the Stars from the First Two Franchises

Mar. 15, 2025

20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios

So far, there have been three theatrically releasedFantastic Fourfilms and one famously unreleased movie from 1994. The Fantastic Four first hit movie theaters in 2005 with a powerhouse A-List cast that includedChris EvansandJessica Alba.

After receiving a 2007 sequel, the franchise was completely rebooted in 2015, this time starringMiles Teller,Kate Mara,Michael B. JordanandJamie Bell.

Now, another reboot,The Fantastic Four: First Steps,is hitting theaters on July 25, 2025, and it’s taking a much different approach than the previous films. The firstFantastic Fourcomic debuted in 1961, and the new movie will return the beloved superheroes to their ’60s roots, offering up a period film full of retro flair.

“I love the space race, Kennedy-era optimism of that world,” director Matt ShakmantoldScreenRantin 2023. “The idea that we can solve all of our problems, that we can, through the right heart, the right mind, and the right technology, conquer any problem.”

01of 04Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic)Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2005) ; Miles Teller as Reed Richards in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015) ; Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2025).Alamy ; AJ Pictures/ Alamy ; ©Marvel StudiosIoan Gruffud was the first to officially helm Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), the head of the Fantastic Four and the boyfriend of fellow superhero Sue Storm. Reed’s desire to experiment with cosmic clouds in space leads to an explosion that leaves the group with powers, including Reed’s own ability to stretch his body and limbs.The 2015 reboot featured a much younger cast, interpreting the characters as college kids instead. To that end, Teller played Reed and saw the role not as the fatherly figure he was in previous installments but as a young man.Now, Pascal is helming the role. This time around, the character will be more similar to the comics than the 2015 version.Pascal stepped out with the new cast in July 2024 when theysurprised fans at San Diego Comic-Con, telling the crowd that he was most excited about the “new family” he was building.Originally from Chile, the actor first gained notability for his recurring role in season 4 ofGame of Thrones, and his first major role came in 2015 when he starred in the hit Netflix crime seriesNarcos, which ran until 2017.Now, he’s known for his work in Max’sThe Last of Usand 2024 blockbusterGladiator II.

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Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic)

Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2005) ; Miles Teller as Reed Richards in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015) ; Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2025).Alamy ; AJ Pictures/ Alamy ; ©Marvel Studios

Alamy ; AJ Pictures/ Alamy ; ©Marvel Studios

Ioan Gruffud was the first to officially helm Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), the head of the Fantastic Four and the boyfriend of fellow superhero Sue Storm. Reed’s desire to experiment with cosmic clouds in space leads to an explosion that leaves the group with powers, including Reed’s own ability to stretch his body and limbs.

The 2015 reboot featured a much younger cast, interpreting the characters as college kids instead. To that end, Teller played Reed and saw the role not as the fatherly figure he was in previous installments but as a young man.

Now, Pascal is helming the role. This time around, the character will be more similar to the comics than the 2015 version.

Pascal stepped out with the new cast in July 2024 when theysurprised fans at San Diego Comic-Con, telling the crowd that he was most excited about the “new family” he was building.

Originally from Chile, the actor first gained notability for his recurring role in season 4 ofGame of Thrones, and his first major role came in 2015 when he starred in the hit Netflix crime seriesNarcos, which ran until 2017.

Now, he’s known for his work in Max’sThe Last of Usand 2024 blockbusterGladiator II.

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Sue Storm (Invisible Woman)

20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; 20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; ©Marvel Studios

In the first franchise, Alba helmed the role of Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman). After the incident, Sue develops the ability to become invisible and even produce force fields. She’s also the older sister of Johnny, who becomes one of the Fantastic Four.

Mara played the role next in 2015’s movie, even finding love on set with Bell. The twomarried in 2017andhave two kids together, a daughter born in 2019 and a son born in 2022.

Her first major Hollywood role was in the 2015 adventure survival filmEverest, which centered on the 1996 Everest disaster that took the lives of numerous mountaineers. The following year, sheportrayed Princess Margaret inThe Crownand in 2018 she joined the cast ofMission: Impossibleas the White Widow and has since starred in three of the franchise’s films.

“I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in a rehearsal period before,” she said. “When you read the comics, you feel a lot of joy… hopefully we can bring that into the movie.”

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Johnny Storm (Human Torch)

Chris Evans as Johnny Storm in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2005) ; Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015) ; Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2025).20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Ben Rothstein/20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; ©Marvel Studios

20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Ben Rothstein/20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; ©Marvel Studios

Before he became the iconic Captain America, Evans famously played a different Marvel character: Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), the youngest of the Fantastic Four who is able to engulf his body in flames like a giant torch.

The actor evenreprised his role in a cameoin 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine, writing on his Instagram Stories after the movie released that he was especially thankful to lead actorRyan Reynoldsfor “making it all happen.”

“Playing Johnny again was a dream come true and he’ll always have a special place in my heart,” Evans wrote.

In 2015, Jordan took over the role before returning to the Marvel universe as Killmonger, the villain in 2018’sBlack Panther.

“They’re both brilliant actors and did the amazing job with their interpretation of Johnny,” Quinn said. “So I think it’s a question of trying to find something … well, not different. It’s going to come from me, I guess.”

Quinn gained fame as the hard-rocking Eddie Munson in season 4 ofStranger Thingsbefore going on to star in two 2024 blockbusters:A Quiet Place: Day OneandGladiator II.

04of 04Ben Grimm (the Thing)Michael Chiklis as Thing in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2005) ; Jamie Bell as Thing in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015) ; Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Thing in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2025).20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; ©20th Century Fox/courtesy Everett Collection ; ©Marvel StudiosIn 2005, Michael Chiklis played Ben Grimm (aka the Thing), a friend of Dr. Richards who takes part in the space experiment. The superhuman radiation he receives turns him into a hulking rock-like creature with superhuman strength.Bell became the next Ben in 2015 when he took over the role before passing it along toEbon Moss-Bachracha decade later. The actor, best known for his award-winning portrayal of Cousin onThe Bear, revealed the moment he found out he was cast in a February 2024 appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live.“I think I found out in the beginning of August,” he told the host. “I got a call from my agent, and I wasn’t thinking about work at all because writers were striking and actors were probably going to strike, and he said, ‘They asked you to play The Thing.’ “He continued, “And I remember I was on Fifth Ave. and 21st Street and I was so shocked and I was walking and the next thing I realize, I was right in front of Astor Wines, so I went in and bought a bunch of mezcal.”

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Ben Grimm (the Thing)

Michael Chiklis as Thing in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2005) ; Jamie Bell as Thing in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015) ; Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Thing in ‘Fantastic Four’ (2025).20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; ©20th Century Fox/courtesy Everett Collection ; ©Marvel Studios

20th Century Fox/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock ; ©20th Century Fox/courtesy Everett Collection ; ©Marvel Studios

In 2005, Michael Chiklis played Ben Grimm (aka the Thing), a friend of Dr. Richards who takes part in the space experiment. The superhuman radiation he receives turns him into a hulking rock-like creature with superhuman strength.

Bell became the next Ben in 2015 when he took over the role before passing it along toEbon Moss-Bachracha decade later. The actor, best known for his award-winning portrayal of Cousin onThe Bear, revealed the moment he found out he was cast in a February 2024 appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live.

“I think I found out in the beginning of August,” he told the host. “I got a call from my agent, and I wasn’t thinking about work at all because writers were striking and actors were probably going to strike, and he said, ‘They asked you to play The Thing.’ "

He continued, “And I remember I was on Fifth Ave. and 21st Street and I was so shocked and I was walking and the next thing I realize, I was right in front of Astor Wines, so I went in and bought a bunch of mezcal.”

source: people.com