Fans were swept by a surge of nostalgia when Deadpool and Wolverine brought Chris Evans back as the Human Torch. It became apparent that his portrayal as the charming, slightly cheeky hothead was more missed than his iconic Captain America portrayal. Now, Marvel is preparing for the launch of the eagerly anticipated Fantastic Four: The First Steps, with Joseph Quinn stepping into Johnny Storm’s shoes in a new light.
In a recent interview, Quinn shared updates about his version of Johnny Storm, stepping away from the traditional ladies’ man persona. The new Human Torch will not rely on cheesy pick-up lines and constant flirting. Past renditions of Johnny Storm often depicted a cocky, attention-loving character, but as times have evolved, so has the torch-bearer. Joseph Quinn is bringing a fresh perspective to Johnny Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Quinn discussed his conversations with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige about updating the character to resonate with modern audiences. Although the film is set in the past, they both agreed Johnny Storm’s personality needed to evolve. According to Quinn, he leads with bravado, sometimes coming off as abrasive, but he is also humorous. Quinn and Feige discussed the character’s history and the current cultural environment, agreeing that the old branding of Johnny as a womanizing, carefree guy may not resonate as sexy nowadays. The new Johnny is more aware of others’ feelings, potentially showing self-awareness regarding his attention-seeking behavior.
Some fans are worried this change might lead to backlash, similar to the Rachel Zegler-Cinderella situation. Concerns are rising, and not everyone is on board with these updates. Some fans’ reactions include:
“It’s over. They don’t get it and they never learn. I’m over the MCU.”
“But that’s what his character was in the comic, why bother to change?”
“Oh good, so he’s going to be nothing like the character.”
“Woke Fantastic 4 is confirmed.”
“Stan Lee wrote Human Torch the way he wanted to. You want a different kind of character? Write a new one.”
While initially skeptical of Quinn’s portrayal of Johnny Storm, fans were reassured by early glimpses, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of the character. The pressing question now is whether Quinn can win audiences over with this interpretation. The success of this subtle character shift remains to be seen.
Previous versions of Johnny Storm have varied. Chris Evans embodied the character with his signature sarcasm and womanizer edge, while Michael B. Jordan portrayed him with a rebellious spirit. Despite their charm, neither version deeply resonated with audiences.
Joseph Quinn aims to bring Johnny Storm back to his roots while providing a fresh narrative canvas. As the younger team member, Johnny often tries to match the larger personalities of Reed and Sue. Matt Shakman explained in the EW interview that Johnny is intelligent and has played heroic roles in various comic tales, often balancing heroism with humor. Being Sue’s brother, Quinn’s goal is to reveal a new yet recognizable side of Johnny, preserving the character’s fiery essence without losing what makes him Johnny Storm.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, bringing excitement and curiosity to see if Quinn’s version of Johnny Storm will reignite fans’ admiration and capture their hearts anew.
