The Fantastic Four: Paul Walter Hauser Explains Initial Hesitation Joining the MCU

Emmy winner Paul Walter Hauser says the past big screen incarnations of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four made him initially reluctant to join the MCU .

“Don’t think that didn’t weigh in as I was deciding whether or not to take the job,” Hauser said to The Hollywood Reporter . “That movie has not fully been nailed just yet.”

Hauser’s comments are in line with the sentiments of most Marvel fans regarding the Fantastic Four. The low-budget 1994 adaptation produced by the late Roger Corman was only produced to maintain the option on the movie license. Then the big-budget Fox productions directed by Tim Story in 2005 and 2007 were met with disappointing reviews from critics despite strong box office results. The last Fantastic Four adaptation was directed by Josh Trank in 2015. It had a controversial production history and underperformed upon release.

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Despite the dark cloud surrounding the property, Hauser was encouraged to join the upcoming Marvel Studios production in a mystery role because of director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) and the star-studded cast involved.

“I really do think the combination of the screenplay, and the department heads that are working on the film, and that classy cast of really exciting actors — some of them known for a long time, and some of them having a moment right now — [make me feel that] this movie is special, and it was something I wanted to be a part of,” Hauser said.

Who else stars in The Fantastic Four?

The confirmed cast of The Fantastic Four includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer. Additionally, Ralph Ineson is set to play Galactus while John Malkovich and Natasha Lyonne round out the confirmed cast in undisclosed roles.

Directed by Matt Shakman from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four is scheduled to be released on July 25, 2025.