The Fantastic Four’s Joseph Quinn Reveals How the MCU Reboot Will Combat Superhero Fatigue

April 17, 20244 Mins Read

After multiple superhero movies underperformed at the box office in 2023, there has been some concern within the industry that movie-goers are growing tired of the genre. Joseph Quinn, one of the stars of Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four reboot, recently explained how the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movie will combat “superhero fatigue.”

After regaining the rights to The Fantastic Four from 20th Century Studios, Marvel is set to reboot the beloved superhero team for the MCU in 2025. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Quinn — who is playing Johnny Storm/Human Torch in the movie — discussed the approach Marvel is taking with The Fantastic Four to ensure that the project will be a critical and commercial success. “I think that with the story of the Fantastic Four, it feels like we want to get this right,” said Quinn. “There are aspects of it that are very different to other Marvel films. That felt very compelling to me. And again, going back to who’s involved, Matt [Shakmna], of course, the director, I think is brilliant, and the cast, and I’ve read it and the script is brilliant. It’s really brilliant. I’m delighted to have this opportunity.”

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm from the MCU's Fantastic Four with comic versions of Human Torch and the FF in the background

The Fantastic Four’s Joseph Quinn Jokes About Going Method for Human Torch Role

Joseph Quinn jokes about the wild way he intends to prepare for his role as Johnny Storm in The Fantastic Four.

Quinn continued, “Superhero movies are movies about people. And if we’re invested in the people and the characters and the peril and the spectacle, then that’s why people go to the theaters to watch films. We’re not just in a penny; we’re in for a pound with this one. We’re going to go for it.”

Will The Fantastic Four Be Set in the 1960s?

Ever since Marvel Studios announced the cast of The Fantastic Four, there has been widespread speculation that the movie will take place in a retro-futuristic version of the 1960s. While Marvel has yet to confirm this detail, the company recently shared five issues of Fantastic Four that will serve as inspiration for the upcoming reboot, with one (Fantastic Four: Life Story #1) taking place during the 1960s. A new poster for the movie was also shared for 4-4 Day (April 4), featuring the Human Torch flying through the air with a futuristic skyline in the background.

The Fantastic Four’s Johnny Storm Was Almost Played by Rising Star Nicholas Galitzine

Nicholas Galitzine confirmed he was in talks to appear in the MCU’s upcoming The Fantastic Four.

Who Else Stars in The Fantastic Four?

Rounding out Marvel’s First Family are Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic/Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman/Sue Storm), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing/Ben Grimm). The superhero movie has also cast Ozark star Julie Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer. Created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, Shalla-Bal was introduced in 1968’s Silver Surfer #1 as the lover of Norrin Radd, the original Silver Surfer.

Matt Shakman (WandaVision) is directing The Fantastic Four from a screenplay written by Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok, Black Widow). While unconfirmed, it’s been rumored that Galactus will be featured as the primary villain, though Doctor Doom may still make an appearance later in the movie to help set up a potential sequel. Javier Bardem and Antonio Banderas have both been rumored as potential contenders to play Galactus. Production on The Fantastic Four is expected to begin in London in August 2024.

The Fantastic Four is scheduled to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

Source: Entertainment Weekly