The REAL Fantastic Four Cast: Why The 2017 Sequel Died And Who Is Leading The MCU's 'First Steps'

Despite the internet buzz around a "Fantastic Four Cast 2017," the truth is that a sequel to the 2015 film was canceled, leaving the franchise dormant for years. The original plan for 20th Century Fox was to release a follow-up to the poorly received Fantastic Four (2015) on June 9, 2017, but the film's critical and commercial failure led to the project being scrapped entirely. This cancellation ultimately paved the way for the team's highly anticipated arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which is the true, current, and most exciting news for fans today.

As of December 2025, the focus has entirely shifted to the MCU's reboot, titled *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*. After months of intense speculation and rumors, Marvel Studios officially announced the star-studded cast in early 2024, delivering a fresh, critically acclaimed roster that promises to finally do justice to Marvel’s First Family.

The Official MCU Fantastic Four Cast: Full Biography & Profile List

The new ensemble cast is packed with award-winning talent, bringing a significant level of prestige and fan excitement to the long-awaited reboot. This is the complete, confirmed lineup for *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, directed by Matt Shakman.

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Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic

• Birth Name: José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal
• Born: April 2, 1975, in Santiago, Chile
• Role: Reed Richards, the brilliant scientist and leader of the Fantastic Four, known for his ability to stretch his body.
• Key Filmography: Pascal is a Chilean-American actor who became a global phenomenon with major roles in some of the biggest television franchises of the past decade. His breakout role was Oberyn Martell in *Game of Thrones* (2014). He is widely recognized for leading the Disney+ series *The Mandalorian* (2019–present) as Din Djarin and the critically acclaimed HBO series *The Last of Us* (2023–present) as Joel Miller.

Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman

• Birth Name: Vanessa Nuala Kirby
• Born: April 18, 1987 (or 1988), in London, England
• Role: Sue Storm, the sister of Johnny Storm, who possesses the power of invisibility and force-field projection.
• Key Filmography: Kirby is an acclaimed English actress who first rose to international prominence for her portrayal of Princess Margaret in the Netflix series *The Crown* (2016–2017), a role that earned her a BAFTA Award. She is also known to action fans as the White Widow in the *Mission: Impossible* franchise, including *Fallout* (2018) and *Dead Reckoning* (2023). She received an Academy Award nomination for her leading role in the drama *Pieces of a Woman* (2020).

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch

• Born: January 26, 1994, in London, England
• Role: Johnny Storm, the younger brother of Sue Storm, who can engulf his body in flames and fly.
• Key Filmography: Quinn is a British actor who achieved global stardom after playing the beloved character Eddie Munson in the fourth season of the Netflix hit series *Stranger Things* (2022). Before his breakout, he appeared in British television series such as *Dickensian* (2016) and *Howards End* (2017). His casting as the Human Torch was met with significant enthusiasm from the fanbase.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing

• Born: March 19, 1977, in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
• Role: Ben Grimm, a pilot and close friend of Reed Richards, whose body is transformed into a rock-like form, giving him superhuman strength. His catchphrase is "It's Clobberin' Time!"
• Key Filmography: Moss-Bachrach is an American actor who has been working steadily in film and television for over two decades. He is most recently celebrated for his Emmy-winning role as Richard "Richie" Jerimovich in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama series *The Bear* (2022–present). He also had notable roles in *The Punisher* (2017–2019) and *Girls* (2014–2017).

Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer

• Born: February 1, 1994, in the Bronx, New York, USA
• Role: Shalla-Bal, a female version of the Silver Surfer, the herald of Galactus.
• Key Filmography: Garner is a highly decorated American actress, best known for her three-time Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-winning role as Ruth Langmore in the Netflix crime drama *Ozark* (2017–2022). She also starred as the title character in the miniseries *Inventing Anna* (2022). Her casting in April 2024 as the Silver Surfer was a major surprise, confirming the cosmic scale of the new film.

The Canceled Fantastic Four 2017 Sequel and What Happened

The reason the search term "Fantastic Four cast 2017" is so misleading is rooted in the franchise's troubled history at 20th Century Fox. The 2015 film, directed by Josh Trank and starring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell, was intended to be the start of a new, darker cinematic universe.

Despite the negative reception, Fox initially maintained a firm commitment to a sequel. A follow-up was officially scheduled for a June 2017 release date. The studio was reportedly still holding onto the hope that the brand could be salvaged, perhaps with a different creative direction or a tighter budget. However, the 2015 film's box office failure and the public fallout between the director and the studio ultimately made the sequel untenable.

By late 2015, the June 2017 date was quietly removed from Fox’s schedule, and the sequel was officially canceled. The rights to the characters eventually reverted to Marvel Studios following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, setting the stage for the current MCU reboot. This transition is a classic example of a "soft reboot" where a failed timeline is jettisoned for a fresh start under new creative control.

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Why the MCU's 'First Steps' Cast is a Massive Game-Changer

The previous attempts at a Fantastic Four film often struggled to capture the family dynamic and optimistic spirit of the source material. The 2005-2007 films were criticized for being too campy, while the 2015 film was criticized for being too dark and incomplete. The new MCU casting, however, suggests a major shift in intention and tone.

The choice of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, or Mister Fantastic, is particularly significant. Pascal is a proven bankable star with immense global appeal, known for playing intelligent, protective, and morally complex characters. His presence instantly elevates the film's profile from a standard superhero movie to a major event.

Focus on Critical Acclaim and Chemistry

The new cast members are not just stars; they are actors known for their strong dramatic performances. Vanessa Kirby’s work in *The Crown* and *Pieces of a Woman* shows an incredible depth of emotion, perfect for the Invisible Woman, Sue Storm. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, fresh off his Emmy win for *The Bear*, brings a grounded, blue-collar intensity that will be essential for conveying the tragedy and heart of Ben Grimm, The Thing.

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Furthermore, the title *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* and the surprising 1960s-era announcement poster suggest a film that will lean heavily into the team's scientific exploration and mid-century aesthetic, possibly establishing them as a pre-existing team within the MCU. The inclusion of a major cosmic character like Silver Surfer (Shalla-Bal, played by Julia Garner) confirms that the film will be a large-scale, universe-spanning adventure, likely setting up the long-awaited introduction of the arch-villain, Doctor Doom.

Release Date and What to Expect Next

The original release date for *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* was initially set for November 2024, but it was subsequently delayed due to industry strikes and production scheduling.

The official, current release date for the MCU's *Fantastic Four* reboot is July 25, 2025. The film is set to kick off Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, highlighting its importance to the overarching Multiverse Saga storyline. While specific plot details are scarce, the film is expected to focus on the team’s origin and their relationship with a cosmic entity, possibly involving their escape from another universe after an encounter with Galactus.

The anticipation for this film is immense, as it represents Marvel Studios' first chance to successfully launch its most iconic superhero team. With a director known for dramatic television (Matt Shakman, *WandaVision*) and a cast of critically acclaimed actors, the new era of the Fantastic Four is finally ready to move past the ghost of the canceled 2017 sequel and into a promising future.