After the recent “controversy” over the plot and casting of the Fantastic Four reboot, for which our very own site received a nasty email from a legal team representing 20th Century Fox over certain changes to the characters’ origins [see story here], the studio behind the new version haven’t let it keep them down in regards to casting the film.
With a script being readied with director Josh Trank (Chronicle), Fox have begun screen testing various actors this week for the main roles in the superhero team. The Hollywood Reporter has apparently been informed that both Emmy Rossum (Shameless, The Day After Tomorrow) and Kate Mara (House of Cards) have both read for the role of Sue Storm a.k.a. The Invisible Woman. In addition, hot young actor Miles Teller (That Awkward Moment, The Spectacular Now) who has been previously linked heavily with involvement in the film, has tested for the Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic role. THR is also suggesting that young Brit actor Christian Cooke (Romeo & Juliet) has tested for Ben Grimm/The Thing, and that another heavily linked actor Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station) is still the strong front-runner for Johnny Storm/Human Torch.
Outside of the casting screen-tests, THR has gathered some new info on the possible villain involved in proceedings, with all news pointing to the re-involvement of Doctor Doom, who was in the original two Fantastic Four films in 2005 and 2007, played by Julian McMahon. The studio seemingly wants a big-name star to take on the villainous role, but suggestions from the report state that they are even considering changing the character’s gender.
Of course, none of the news in concrete as of yet, and we wait to see if an official announcement is forthcoming, or indeed if other actors are yet to test for the roles. Nevertheless, The Fantastic Four is scheduled to start filming in March in Baton Rouge, with a release date marked in for June 19th 2015.
Update – Just as he did with the rumoured plot synopsis, Josh Trank has now debunked the gender change for Doctor Doom on Twitter. We’ll let you know if we get another legal letter from Fox crying copyright infringment on something else that’s allegedly false…
Originally published February 5, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
