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Credit: 20th Century StudiosIs Disney playing it safe?
Related: Anti-Woke Mob Criticizes Marvel for Silver Surfer Casting Choice
The Avengers are preparing to confront major hurdles as the franchise delves into the Multiverse Saga, spanning Phases Four, Five, and Six. This expansive narrative is poised to climax with forthcoming movies like Avengers 5, (previously) titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and Avengers 6, known as Avengers: Secret Wars.
The MCU is poised to introduce fresh superhero squads, such as the cherished Fantastic Four and X-Men, giving these characters a chance to shine.
The Fantastic Four is a famous quartet of heroes that hold a crucial role in the Marvel Comics universe. A constant element within this team is their roster: Mister Fantastic/Reed Richards, serves as the brilliant leader; Sue Storm/Invisible Woman personifies the nurturing figure; the impulsive and fiery member, the Human Torch/Johnny Storm; and gentle giant The Thing/Ben Grimm.
These legendary Marvel characters have long held a pivotal role in Marvel Comics, sharing the spotlight in the comic book realm alongside other famed figures like the X-Men and Spider-Man. The Fantastic Four on-screen even precedes the emergence of beloved characters like Iron Man/Tony Stark and Captain America/Steve Rogers, depicted by Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans in the MCU, respectively.
Related: ‘X-Men’, ‘Split’ Actor Reportedly Joining MCU as Completely Different Character
Therefore, it’s a natural evolution for the MCU to finally delve into this classic Marvel comic book story. The original plan reported by insiders indicated that Disney was setting out to try something new with the upcoming The Fantastic Four. However, that might be changing.
What is Disney’s Plan for the Silver Surfer?
Following prior reports about the MCU welcoming a female “Herald of Galactus”, rumors have swirled around the possibility of Marvel Studios introducing a female version of the Silver Surfer — the baddie from Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). The possibility of Disney wanting to introduce the canonically female Nova AKA Frankie Raye has also been floated.
Further news that actress Anya Taylor Joy (Split, The Queen’s Gambit) had been tapped to play The Fantastic Four‘s villain lent further credence to the idea of either a female Silver Surfer or the introduction of Nova. The internet being the internet has resulted in certain groups of fans coming down on the superhero giant for this “woke” casting choice.
The latest report from known insider and scooper ThwipT, however, alleges that Disney has chosen to go with a male Silver Surfer for The Fantastic Four:
Silver Surfer will be male in Fantastic Four #MCU #Marvel #FantasticFour #F4
— ThwipT (@ThwipT_) March 4, 2024
Whether this is a true course correction from The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Studios (and Marvel President Kevin Feige) remains to be seen. Since all previous reports merely mentioned that Taylor-Joy would play a villain in the film, it’s still possible that multiple Heralds of Galactus will show up in the Fantastic Four movie.
Additional potential heralds include Terrax the Tamer (Tyros), who commanded control over the earth; Air-Walker (Gabriel Lan), a resurrected warrior with mastery over the air; and of course, Nova (Frankie Raye), a former human endowed with fiery powers.
Should Anya Taylor Joy truly join the Fantastic Four cast, the MCU would see the actor returning to the franchise after her portrayal of Magik/Illyana Rasputin in The New Mutants. Marvel fans will have to wait to find out if she will play a female variant of Norrin Radd (or Nova), or if this newest report that the Silver Surfer will be male proves ultimately true.
Do you think Disney is pandering to the anti-“woke” mob? Are you excited about The Fantastic Four? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
More on Fantastic Four
Under the ownership of Disney, 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios) embarked on film adaptations of the “Fantastic Four” in 2005, starting with the release of Fantastic Four. The ensemble cast featured Ioan Gruffudd as Mister Fantastic/Reed Richards, Jessica Alba as Invisible Woman/Sue Storm, Chris Evans as Human Torch/Johnny Storm, and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing, directed by Tim Story. A subsequent installment, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, hit theaters in 2007, with both films receiving mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.
In 2015, a reimagined version titled Fantastic Four (stylized as FANT4STIC) introduced Miles Teller as Mister Fantastic, Kate Mara as Invisible Woman, Michael B. Jordan as Human Torch, and Jamie Bell as The Thing, helmed by Josh Trank. Regrettably, this reboot faced harsh criticism, significantly tarnishing the public perception of the Fantastic Four franchise.