A Geeky Viewpoint

The other day Marvel Comics released the latest re-imagination of Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four.   The new version of Reed Richards either looks like Jimmy Kimmel or John Krasinski. 

Comic book fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have long for John Krasinski to take on the part Reed Richards for the past couple of years.    Is the redone comic book character a hint that the deal is done?

Over the years many Marvel characters have been updated and changed, I mean we have had 60 years with some of these characters.  New artists, new spin on the characters.  But this change is clearly made to look like what a potential John Krasinski's portrayal would be.   is this Marvel saying we hear you and here is an example or is this we got him moment.

As I look at the upcoming movie release schedule, we have Black Widow solo film and The Eternals upcoming.    The more I though about it I was convinced that we will see the Fantastic Four in the Eternals, it just makes sense.    It also makes sense when you throw in the fact I believe the next five year story arc will be Secret Wars.

With that and looking at who has been connected with Marvel roles recently I believe the casting has been made for the entire Fantastic Four team, and they will be announced this summer.

Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic - John Krasinski
Sue Storm (Richards) / Invisible Woman - Charlize Theron
Ben Grimm / The Thing - Dwayne Johnson
Johnny Storm / The Human Torch - Zac Efron

and we need a villain

Doctor Doom - Brian Cranston

A quick comment.   Emily Blunt, the wife of John Krasinski in real life, has been offered numerous roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has turned them all down.   I have no doubt that if John Krasinski was offered the role of Reed Richards than Marvel Executives would have offered the role of Sue Storm to Emily Blunt.    However she has a pretty full dance card of upcoming movies and with the history of turning down superhero roles I think it is semi-safe to say she turned down the role again. 
Charlize Theron, Oscar Winner for Monster, highly acclaimed for her action/stunts in the role of Lorrine Broughton in Atomic Blonde has suddenly become a hot topic again in Hollywood. 

Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron have been frequently linked to roles in the Marvel Universe, both have reportedly meet again very recently with Kevin Feige and other Marvel Studio executives.    Fans have suggested that Zac Efron would make a great Adam Warlock, I think he would make a better Johnny Storm. 

Another name for role of Johnny Storm, Andrew Garfield.