Oscar-nominated actress Vanessa Kirby has officially joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), taking on the iconic role of Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman, in the upcoming reboot of The Fantastic Four.
The Pieces of a Woman star will star alongside Pedro Pascal, who is reportedly in talks to play Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), in the highly anticipated film. This marks Kirby's first major superhero role, adding another impressive credit to her already stellar career.
Marvel's Big Bet on Kirby
Kirby's casting comes as Marvel Studios, led by Kevin Feige, looks to revitalise the Fantastic Four franchise after previous iterations failed to fully capture audiences. With her critically acclaimed performances in The Crown and Mission: Impossible, Kirby brings both dramatic depth and action pedigree to the role.
A Stellar Cast Takes Shape
While Pascal's involvement is yet to be confirmed, sources suggest he is the frontrunner for Mr. Fantastic. The film is also rumoured to include Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing).
Fans have been eagerly awaiting news about Marvel's take on the First Family of comics since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, which previously held the rights to the characters.
Wolverine Connection?
In an intriguing twist, reports suggest Hugh Jackman's Wolverine might make a cameo in the film, potentially setting up future crossovers in the MCU. While unconfirmed, this has sent fans into a frenzy of speculation.
The Fantastic Four is scheduled to begin production in 2024, with a likely release date in 2025 as part of Marvel's Phase Six.
