Did They Cast the New Fantastic Four Right?
When I first read the article about the new Fantastic Four cast, I didn’t jump for joy like a fan girl nor was I utterly disappointed. What could have I possibly felt? Meh? Not really. The first thought that came to mind was interesting. While some of them were rumored for their roles months before, it’s still surprising now that two of them have officially confirmed it themselves. As a whole, this group is quite young. Some of them are in their 30’s but they could still pass as college students or young adults.
Who knows the movie might be set in college, or in New York where the Fantastic Four are hipsters sipping lattes? I could be wrong though because it’s not like Kate Mara or Jamie Bell are terrible actors. They totally do serious roles for the most part.
Anyway, I’ll give my thoughts on each one of them so read on for more.
Michael B. Jordan
If you’ve seen the film Chronicle and enjoyed it, then chances are that you think that Michael B. Jordan can nail The Human Torch as well. If I’m not mistaken, Johnny Storm is the charismatic ladies man. Isn’t that the character he played in Chronicle? Am I right? If you want evidence that he can also portray a more serious side, the only thing I heard about his performance in Fruitvale Station was nothing but praise. However, I don’t think that this film requires anything too dramatic. I‘m expecting that this is going to be a kid friendly fun popcorn flick.
Alright, I know there’s been talk about people being angry that a black man is playing The Human Torch since he is originally white. Wasn’t Nick Fury played by Samuel L. Jackson in the recent Marvel films? Fury was originally white too. I don’t remember any outrage or maybe it’s only because some people are just racist. Film adaptations varies from the source material most of the time. Jordan and Mara don’t need to be blood siblings because it’s still possible to have a brother-sister relationship without it.
To be honest, I wouldn’t care if they made The Human Torch a woman because all that matters is they capture the essence of the character. If Michael B. Jordan stinks, then that’s on him not his skin color.
Kate Mara
Well, I’m happy Sue Storm won’t be portrayed by Minka Kelly or Gal Gadot. Don’t get me wrong, I think that Kate Mara is gorgeous but she has serious acting skills under her belt too. I’ve seen her in all sorts of films and she can carry herself well. I’ve been far behind in Fantastic Four comics, but from what I know Sue Storm isn’t a seductress or anything like it. She’s a smart woman who had to grow up too soon because of her mother’s death and father’s imprisonment. Therefore, she had to raise Johnny all by herself.
With a character like this, it’s important to have someone who can portray herself as caring yet commanding at the same time. I liked how she portrayed Zoe Barnes in the show House of Cards. She’s tough, but she still has a sensitive side.
Miles Teller
You may know Miles Teller from outrageous teenage party films like Project X and 21 and Over. However, he does have some dramas under his belt like Spectacular Now and Rabbit Hole. While he can act in different genres, I’ve always felt that the characters were always a version of him if you know what I’m saying. It’s like Miles Teller in a different universe. Sometimes it’s jock Miles Teller, and other times he’s the funny kid Miles Teller. He could pull it off, but I don’t think we’ll be seeing Reed Richards portrayed by Teller. It will be more like Miles Teller in a Fantastic Four outfit. I have hope that he can crush my doubts though so I’m looking forward to that.
Jamie Bell
I’m actually thought that Jamie Bell is a great fit for The Thing. He probably isn’t my first choice, but he doesn’t look as “teenage” as the rest of the cast (except for Mara). He looks more mature than the rest of the cast and can definitely give off an intimidating vibe. People are complaining about his physique, but when is that a problem? First, there’s CGI to change that and secondly we’ve seen actors change their bodies drastically for roles. Unlike Miles Teller, I feel like he plays each character differently and in a unique lights. It’s not a version of him in an alternate universe. Let’s hope I am right!
I really don’t think people disliking the casting of Michael B Jordan as the Human Torch makes them even remotely racist. It’s a change from a portrayal that’s existed for 50 years and I can understand why people don’t like it. Could you imagine if Jai Courtney was cast as Luke Cage in the upcoming Netflix series?
People hate change. Just look at the uproar every time facebook shakes things up.
Kudos on you for pointing out what should always be underscored: just because someone might have a problem with a change being forced down his throat doesn’t make him a racist.
Personally, I was surprised with the casting being a cast of largely forgettable faces. (Yes, I’m familiar with all of their resumes.) It’s kind of like one of my favorite long-running jokes: “We had Sam Raimi’s SPIDER-MAN movies … now let’s see Woody Allen’s SPIDER-MAN movies.” Just because someone is a great director doesn’t necessarily translate that we’re going to see great things from him in a completely unrelated genre; likewise, it only stands to reason that just because Mara was good in HOUSE OF CARDS doesn’t mean two beans about what she can or will bring to THE FANTASTIC FOUR. Without knowing the script or the development plans, it’s a completely meaningless choice.
Wisdom tells me to wait and see (like others have already said) what comes down the pike; I’m ok with that.
On top of that, I think a lot of complaints are due to the fact that now, Sue and Johnny aren’t the same race! It seems like addressing this overt fact would fundamentally change the characters.
It’s certainly not what I expected, which I’m kind of okay with. I’m sure they’ve cast their version correctly; I just hope it’s a version I want to see.
Gonna have to be sold on Bell doing the Thing voice, a bit. But he’s a strong performer so I imagine he can do something with it.
Considering how God-awful Jessica Alba was in the role, I can’t honestly predict Kate Mara could do any worse. She’s definitely got more depth that Alba. I just hope they give her a script worth working with.
Not sure if I’m sold on this cast in general, but it really can’t be any worse than the other Fantastic Four movies. Surprisingly, Michael B. Jordan as Human Torch is my favorite casting choice here.
Benny, Nick Fury was white, that is correct. However, in the Ultimate series of comics, (which is set in a different universe) Nick Fury is black. The story goes that Marvel actually asked to use Jackson’s likeness in those comics way before the movies (in the comic they even discus who would play them in a movie about the Ultimate Avengers, where Nick of course, says the one and only Sam Jackson).
So there is at least some comic ‘justification’ (that’s not the right word but hey) in the comic world.
Im still stumped as to why cast established siblings like this? I don’t think the people who are mad about it, care that its a black guy, I think they’d be equally pissed if was an Indian guy or an Asian Sue Storm. It just doesn’t make sense, to me anyways. Its as bad as aryan Chris Evans and latino Jessica Alba.
Ultimate Fury is black and was based off of Samuel Jackson to begin with. Changing Johnny to black isn’t an issue if the kid can nail the part. Keeping Sue a pasty white woman is more an issue. They’re plenty of black actresses out there (Kerry Washington) that could play Sue. Keeping her white and changing Johnny was and is stupid. If they changed Johnny for the sake of change, that is also stupid.
That is actually incorrect. Fury’s appearance is notably different in his earliest appearances in the Ultimate universe. But granted, it was a very early change.
He changed in the Ultimates and he was based off Jackson ever since. He’s been black ever since.