Ebon Moss-Bachrach, known for his role in The Bear, has hit back at critics of Marvel's upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, branding some of the backlash as "fascist".
The actor, who is set to play Ben Grimm/The Thing, addressed the controversy surrounding the casting of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and himself in the highly anticipated film.
Defending Diversity in Hollywood
Moss-Bachrach didn't hold back when discussing the negative reactions from some fans, particularly those targeting the diverse casting choices. "Some of the responses have been pretty ugly," he said. "There's a certain fascism to the way people think these characters should look."
The actor emphasised that comic book characters have been reinterpreted countless times over decades, questioning why some fans are so resistant to change.
A Fresh Take on Classic Characters
The new Fantastic Four film, scheduled for release in 2025, represents Marvel Studios' first proper attempt at bringing Marvel's First Family to the big screen. Previous versions were produced by other studios.
Moss-Bachrach expressed excitement about working with director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) and his co-stars, calling the project "a dream come true" for any actor.
Industry Reactions
The entertainment industry has largely supported Marvel's casting decisions, with many praising the studio for continuing to push for greater representation in blockbuster films.
This isn't the first time Marvel has faced backlash for diverse casting - similar controversies emerged with Captain Marvel, Black Panther, and the Eternals.
Moss-Bachrach concluded: "At the end of the day, these are fictional characters. What matters is telling great stories with great actors - and that's exactly what we're doing."
