Summary
The Fantastic Four: First Stepshas finally debunked a long-running casting rumor by officially announcing aStar Warsactor in the role. The MCU is set to introduceThe Fantastic Fourin July, withWandaVision’s Matt Shakman directing. The story is set to follow “Marvel’s First Family” as they defend Earth from the planet-devouring Galactus, who makes his MCU debut alongside the Silver Surfer. While the film won’t be an origin story, taking place a few years into their time as heroes, it is set in an alternate timeline to the central MCU, making for a distinct look and feel.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsstars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Other known roles areJulia Garner as Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. However, several cast members, like John Malkovich and Paul Walter Hauser, are still playing yet-to-be-announced roles. Hauser has been rumored to play longtimeFantastic Fourvillain Mole Man, but that remains to be seen. Another cast member, Natasha Lyonne, has long been rumored to be the voice ofThe Fantastic Four’s android helper H.E.R.B.I.E., but that finally looks to be dispelled.
As reported byEmpire Magazine,H.E.R.B.I.E. is set to be voiced by none other than Matthew Wood, the voice of General Grievous inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithand several otherStar Warsprojects.Wood is also a noted sound editor, working on Marvel and Star Wars projects likeWandaVisionand theObi-Wan Kenobiseries. While speaking with the film’s director, Shakman promised, “He’s charming, he’s funny — but he also will break your heart,” noting that “He’s sometimes a slightly put-upon robot, but he is definitely a member of the family. He’s just so charming and adorable.”
He’s charming, he’s funny — but he also will break your heart.
H.E.R.B.I.E. Is Set To Be Reed’s Right Hand, But Natasha Lyonne’s Character Is Still A Mystery
H.E.R.B.I.E. is an android created by Reed Richards as an all-around assistant and aid to himself and the other members ofThe Fantastic Four.Shakman states, “He is really Reed’s right hand in the lab, capable of assisting him on any sort of experiment, always by his side.” H.E.R.B.I.E. is likely to be anintegral part ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, serving as another personality that can thrive within the family’s dynamics, as beyond helping Reed, he’s been seen assembling cribs, digging into whatever help they need. If handled correctly, H.E.R.B.I.E. could even play into emotional stakes, but the character is in good hands with Wood taking on the role.
With H.E.R.B.I.E.’s casting now confirmed,Lyonne’s role is left up in the air.She has previously appeared inMarvel’s What If?…voicing Byrdie, the child of Howard the Duck and Darcy Lewis, in two episodes of season 3. It seems unlikely she will be reprising that same role in wider MCU projects, but some speculate Lyonne could be playing Alicia Masters, alove interest to Ben Grimm/The Thing. However, that remains unconfirmed. Further news will be forthcoming as the July 25 release date ofThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsdraws near, though Marvel will likely keep some secrets under wraps until the film is released.
