It looks like things may not be working out between Marvel Studios and Adam Driver for Fantastic Four. The actor’s name has been connected to the film for quite some time, and a couple of months ago a report surfaced saying that he has accepted the offer to play Reed Richards.
Well, it’s now being reported that Driver may no longer be attached or in contention for the role. The news comes from Jeff Sneider on the latest episode of The Hot Mic Podcast, and he says the reason things didn’t work out is because of money. Snieder said:
“When I asked someone about Fantastic Four, they said…like I said it comes down to money, so I think Adam Driver may have priced himself out. That may have been the situation. He may have just started asking for too much money.”
I mean, when you’re dealing with Marvel and Disney and multiple films, it makes sense that he’s going to want to make some money off it. Driver does make a lot of low-budget films so you’d think a big payday wouldn’t be that important for him, but maybe because of the commitment it takes, he’s asking for more.
Sneider and co-host John Rocha also speculated that another potential issue could also be a casting one, with Driver simply not wanting to be in the film if Margot Robbie, who was rumored to be playing Sue Storm, wouldn’t be in it. But that’s just speculation.
Other reports have mentioned that Elvis star Austin Butler is being looked at for the role of Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch.
I actually liked Driver for the role of Reed Richards, but if he’s really out of the running, it will be interesting to see who Marvel’s Second choice is.
Kevin Feige previously said that Marvel’s first family is going to be a big pillar of the future of the MCU after they’re introduced. He said: “Fantastic Four is the foundation for everything that came after in the comics. There’s certainly been versions of it [on screen], but never inhabiting the storytelling of the MCU. And that’s something that is really exciting for us. People will start to hear more about that soon. We plan on that being a big pillar of the MCU going forward, just the way they’ve been in the comics for 50 or 60 years.”
Marvel producer Stephen Broussard previously promised that the film will be a true celebration of the original source material from the comics: “I wouldn’t presume to know everything about that film; I’m not necessarily working on it. But one of the founding principles of Marvel, going back to Iron Man and the casting of Tony that I think has resonated through today, is to embrace the source material and these comics that have been around forever. They’re older than me, and I’m guessing they’re older than you too. They’ve been around for a while for a reason, [so we] lean into that.”
Matt Shakman (WandaVision) is directing the film.
Are there any actors you’d like to see take on the role of Mr. Fantastic?