Cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps | Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby & the MCU First Family

Directed by Matt Shakman.

Fantastic Four: First Steps premiered in U.S. theaters on July 25, 2025.

Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Movie Review

Fantastic Four: First Steps brings new life to Marvel’s First Family with colorful retro style and heartfelt performances.

Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards combines quiet genius with dry humor as he leads a makeshift family through cosmic danger.

Vanessa Kirby shines as Sue Storm, balancing fierce protectiveness with warmth.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn add comic relief and real brotherly energy that keep the film grounded.

Visually, the 1960s-inspired design stands out, from glowing labs to neon city streets.

Galactus’s looming threat and the Silver Surfer’s arrival bring big spectacle, even if the story sometimes drifts and the villains don’t feel fully developed.

Still, the strong cast chemistry and nostalgic feel make it a fun mix of family drama and superhero action.

Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t change the genre, but it’s charming and full of heart for both longtime fans and new viewers.

Ratings

• IMDb: 7.4/10

• Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

• Google Audience Score: 89% liked this movie.

Fantastic Four: First Steps Actors

Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic

DOB: April 2, 1975

Bio: Born José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal in Santiago, Chile, Pascal fled Pinochet’s regime as an infant and was raised in Texas.

A Tisch School of the Arts alum, he spent nearly two decades in character parts before breakout turns as Oberyn Martell (Game of Thrones), Javier Peña (Narcos) and Din Djarin (The Mandalorian).

Role: As Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, Pascal steps into the role of the intellectual leader of the Fantastic Four.

With elastic powers and a mind rivaling Tony Stark, Reed must learn that logic alone won’t save the world, empathy and unity do.

What to Expect: Pascal’s trademark warmth peeks through Morlock-like detachment. a mix of dry humor, heartfelt leadership and “stretchy” heroics.

Favorite Things: A self-professed foodie who loves cooking for friends, Pascal champions Chilean street food and collects vinyl from 1970s jazz legends.

Notable Works: Game of Thrones, Narcos, The Mandalorian, The Last of Us.

Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman

DOB: April 18, 1988

Bio: Born in Wimbledon, London, Vanessa Nuala Kirby studied English literature at the University of Exeter after taking a gap year to volunteer in a South African hospice.

She trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and quickly gained notice in British theatre before breaking into screen roles.

Role: Still mastering her force-field powers, Sue is both Reed’s partner in science and in life, pregnant in this origin tale and driven to protect the team.

What to Expect: Kirby balances steely command and vulnerable empathy, expect moments of fierce resolve as well as quiet intimacy.

Favorite Things: An avid equestrian in her youth, she’s spoken of weekend rides in the English countryside and crafting homemade lemon cakes for cast gatherings.

Notable Works: The Crown, Pieces of a Woman, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Hobbs & Shaw.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing

DOB: March 19, 1977

Bio: Born in New York City, U.S., Ebon Moss-Bachrach studied English at Columbia University before attending the Yale School of Drama.

He built his early career in independent films and television, gaining wider recognition through standout roles in Girls and The Bear.

Role: Once a cocky test pilot, Ben’s transformation into The Thing tests his humanity, he’s the team’s emotional core and occasional comic relief.

What to Expect: Moss-Bachrach finds sweetness beneath the craggy makeup, delivering jokes and heart-tugging vulnerability.

Favorite Things: A former jazz drummer, he’s talked about late-night improv sessions and a devotion to New England clam chowder.

Notable Works: Girls, The Bear, The Punisher, No Hard Feelings.

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch

DOB: January 26, 1994

Bio: Born in South London, Joseph Quinn studied acting at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

After early roles in period dramas like Howards End, he skyrocketed to fame as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things, capturing global attention with his mix of rebellious charm and emotional depth.

Role: As Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, Quinn plays the impulsive, wise-cracking younger brother of Sue Storm.

What to Expect: Quinn brings charismatic swagger and genuine warmth, his one-liners land as well as his heroics ignite.

Favorite Things: A guitar-strummer since childhood, he’s said he unwinds by playing classic rock riffs and hiking the Surrey Hills.

Notable Works: Stranger Things, Overlord, Howards End.

Ralph Ineson as Galactus

DOB: December 15, 1969

Bio: Ralph Ineson, born in Leeds, England, has carved a niche as one of Britain’s most distinct character actors.

After early notoriety as Chris “Finchy” Finch in The Office (UK), he transitioned to darker, more atmospheric roles in projects like The Witch and Game of Thrones.

Role: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, is an ancient force who threatens Earth’s existence.

As the Fantastic Four face their greatest test, Galactus looms not just as a villain but as a symbol of cosmic inevitability, vast, powerful, and almost godlike.

What to Expect: An unforgettable blend of menacing dignity and cosmic grandeur, Ineson makes every utterance feel like the end of days.

Favorite Things: A lifelong fan of Northern folk music, he’s spoken of rambling the Yorkshire moors and collecting vintage flannel shirts.

Notable Works: The Witch, The Office (UK), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Game of Thrones, The Green Knight.

Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer

DOB: February 1, 1994

Bio: Raised in the Bronx, Julia Garner began acting at 15 to overcome shyness, yet she’s since become one of Hollywood’s most commanding performers.

She earned a psychology degree from Indiana University, Garner rose to fame as Ruth Langmore in Ozark, earning three Emmy Awards.

Role: Herald of Galactus turned ally, Shalla-Bal glides on cosmic waves to warn Earth of impending doom.

What to Expect: Garner’s cool poise and quiet magnetism bring an otherworldly grace and a hint of rebellion, to the Silver Surfer.

Favorite Things: A comic-book collector since childhood, she’s spoken of annual pilgrimages to the Bronx’s Indiebound bookstore and binge-reading 1960s Marvel runs.

Notable Works: Ozark, Inventing Anna, Martha Marcy May Marlene.

Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder / Mole Man

DOB: October 15, 1986

Bio: Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Paul Walter Hauser built his career playing quirky, emotionally resonant characters who linger long after the credits roll.

He drew acclaim for roles in I, Tonya, Richard Jewell, and Black Bird, where he showcased his signature mix of vulnerability, danger, and awkward humor.

Role: As Harvey Elder, better known as the Mole Man, Hauser embodies the original Marvel villain, reimagined here as a complex figure with murky motives.

What to Expect: Hauser mines both menace and misguided sympathy, delivering a performance that burrows under your skin.

Favorite Things: A vinyl junkie who loves deep-cut soul records and weekend spelunking trips in Tennessee’s caverns.

Notable Works: I, Tonya, Richard Jewell, Black Bird, Cruella, Cobra Kai.

Matthew Wood as H.E.R.B.I.E. (voice)

DOB: August 15, 1972

Bio: California-born Matthew Wood is a sound designer and Emmy-nominated voice actor best known as the voice of General Grievous and dozens of other Star Wars droids and creatures.

A longtime Lucasfilm veteran, Wood began as an editor before transitioning into voice work, bringing heart, humor, and nuance to digital characters across film, animation, and games.

Role: Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics, Reed’s ever-helpful sidekick, tech guru and morale booster.

What to Expect: Adorable quips, priceless one-liners and mechanical devotion, the beating spark in any high-tech crisis.

Favorite Things: A lifelong sci-fi fan who collects mid-century robot toys and programs community voice-acting workshops.

Notable Works: Star Wars franchise (General Grievous, various droids), Rogue one, Super 8, Andor, Frozen 2.

Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman

DOB: April 4, 1979

Bio: Born in New York City, Natasha Lyonne has carved out a unique space in Hollywood with her gritty charm and unmistakable voice.

A former teen star turned powerhouse performer, she earned acclaim for her role as Nicky Nichols in Orange Is the New Black and for co-creating and starring in Russian Doll.

Role: Rachel, a street-smart schoolteacher who befriends Ben Grimm on Yancy Street, her unexpected warmth offers The Thing a glimpse of normal life.

What to Expect: Lyonne brings her trademark deadpan humor and off-beat warmth, making Rachel a memorable supporting light.

Favorite Things: A jazz-club regular who dotes on her rescue cat Mr. Beans and crafts the perfect Negroni at home.

Notable Works: Orange Is the New Black, Russian Doll, Poker Face, But I’m a Cheerleader, Slums of Beverly Hills.

Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols

DOB: June 17, 1975

Bio: Hailing from the UK, Sarah Niles is a critically acclaimed actress with a rich background in both classical theatre and modern television.

She trained at the Manchester School of Theatre, and has graced the stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre.

Role: Chief of Staff at the Future Foundation, Lynne guides the team’s public image and logistical operations.

What to Expect: Poised authority and dry humor, Niles makes corporate crisis-management feel surprisingly dramatic.

Favorite Things: An avid reader of Afrofuturist fiction and a weekend ceramic-kiln hobbyist in her London garden.

Notable Works: Ted Lasso, The Sandman, Heads of State, I May Destroy You, Catastrophe.

Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert

DOB: October 17, 1966

Bio: Mark Gatiss is a British actor, screenwriter, novelist, and producer with a rich and eclectic career.

He is best known as the co-creator and star of Sherlock, and a frequent contributor to Doctor Who, where he penned numerous episodes and appeared in several others.

Role: Dapper TV host Ted Gilbert, our in-film conduit to the Fantastic Four’s media debut and a source of wry commentary.

What to Expect: Gatiss injects biting humor and theatrical flair into Ted Gilbert.

Expect fourth-wall winks, clever quips, and a charmingly skewed take on superhero celebrity culture.

Favorite Things: A longtime collector of Victorian curiosities and die-hard fan of classic horror cinema.

Notable Works: Sherlock, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, The League of Gentlemen, Staged, Dracula (2020).

John Malkovich as Red Ghost (cut cameo)

DOB: December 9, 1953

Bio: John Malkovich is one of the most respected actors of his generation, known for his intellectual intensity and singular presence on screen and stage.

A two-time Academy Award nominee, Malkovich has starred in a wide range of acclaimed films, from the period drama Dangerous Liaisons to the surreal comedy Being John Malkovich.

Role: Red Ghost (cut cameo) – Though his scene was ultimately removed from the theatrical cut, Malkovich was originally cast as the Red Ghost, a reclusive Soviet-era scientist with mysterious ties to the multiverse.

What to Expect: Even in a brief appearance, Malkovich’s trademark cold-steel gaze adds instant gravitas.

Favorite Things: A lifelong lover of theatre, Malkovich still tours internationally with minimalist one-man shows and enjoys restoring and driving vintage British sports cars.

Notable Works: Dangerous Liaisons, Being John Malkovich, In the Line of Fire, Burn After Reading, Ripley (2024).

More Actors

• Alex Hyde-White as Power Plant Worker

• Rebecca Staab as Television Journalist

• Jay Underwood as Power Plant Worker

• Michael Bailey Smith as Power Plant Worker

• Ada Scott et al. as Franklin Richards (babies)

• Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom (uncredited mid-credits)

• Plus dozens of character actors in cameo and ensemble roles—from Pinewood Studios’ local talent to classic MCU veterans.

FAQ – Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie

How long is the runtime?

The film clocks in at 1 hour and 55 minutes (115 minutes), making it one of the shortest entries in the MC

Does it include an origin story?

No. The film opens with the Fantastic Four already established as public heroes.

A fictional in‑film TV special provides a quick recap rather than a traditional origin story.

Is there a big villain payoff?

Galactus and the Silver Surfer deliver visual impact, but some critics found their story arc underdeveloped and lacking menace.

Is Doctor Doom involved in this story?

No, Doctor Doom is not shown in the main story.

Though hinted at, he never appears. His omission has been widely discussed and is expected to be addressed in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film

What other MCU movies or future plans link to this?

The film sets up Marvel Phase Six, positioning Fantastic Four: First Steps as a lead‑in to major crossover films like Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars

Conclusion

Fantastic Four: First Steps is a stylish and heartfelt return for Marvel’s original superhero team.

While it doesn’t break new ground in the genre, the film succeeds with strong performances, a nostalgic 1960s look, and genuine character moments.

The chemistry between the four leads brings warmth and humor, making their journey feel personal even in the middle of cosmic chaos.

Though some villains could have been better developed, the emotional core of the story and eye-catching visuals make it a fun and satisfying watch.