After Matt Shakman (previously of WandaVision on Disney+) was confirmed to be directing the movie, development for the Fantastic Four is being fast-tracked with production expected to begin this year. Naturally, the role of the Fantastic Four’s super-scientist leader, Reed Richards, is one of the most discussed and speculated among fans and industry insiders. But is the former Kylo Ren/Ben Solo of the Star Wars sequels close to being signed on? Check out the details below. The new rumor emerged via The Direct, with the outlet claiming that sources close to the Fantastic Four have designated Driver as Marvel Studios’ “top choice of actors” to play Richards. Marvel Studios has yet to publicly comment on the actor’s status for the role, which means this is little more than a rumor for now.
— MCU - The Direct (@MCU_Direct) January 9, 2023 As mentioned earlier, this is not the first time the actor has been linked to the Fantastic Four. In October 2022, rumors online alleged that the Star Wars star met with the top brass of Marvel Studios to discuss his appearance for a project set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At the time, it was unclear what role Driver would discuss with Marvel Studios, although there was speculation that he could play the Fantastic Four’s arch-nemesis, Doctor Doom. Other roles that were speculated for Adam Driver included Dan Ketch/Ghost Rider, the Silver Surfer, and Tony Stark’s sibling Arno Stark (aka Iron Man 2020). Regardless, talk about Driver taking up the role of the brains of the FF as Reed Richards follows reports that John Krasinski won’t reprise the role after 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Krasinski played an alternate universe version of Mister Fantastic in the film. That role led some MCU fans to speculate that he will return in the Fantastic Four’s own movie down the line. But since then, Krasinski has downplayed the possibility of his return, confirming that no discussions between him and Marvel Studios have taken place. Krasinski also described his Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cameo as being able to “play in that sandbox for a day”, further raising doubts about his involvement in the Fantastic Four. Plus, there are fans who found Krasinski’s portrayal as so far removed from the actual Reed Richards, that it would be unlikely he would return beyond this one-off performance. Even the rumored appearance of Krasinski in the third Deadpool film was quashed. With that said, there are a slew of other actors being eyed for the role of Reed Richards besides Driver. One such candidate is Andor’s Diego Luna, who remained coy about the project in a recent interview: Other actors that have been buzzed around in Hollywood as in the running for the role of Mister Fantastic include Tom Ellis, Henry Cavill, Orlando Bloom, Penn Badgley, Daniel Craig, and Jamie Dornan. The Marvel Studios film reboot of the Fantastic Four is targeted to hit theaters on February 14, 2025.
