Vanessa Kirby pregnant debut baby bump Fantastic Four event made headlines as the actress showcased her pregnancy on May 31 at the CCXPMX Film Festival in Mexico City. The acclaimed 37-year-old, set to play Sue Storm in Marvel’s latest reboot, appeared on the red carpet in a shimmering teal Schiaparelli gown, gently cradling her growing belly alongside fellow cast members from The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Kirby, known worldwide for her roles in film and television, was joined by co-stars Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach during the event, capturing the excitement of Marvel fans as she publicly shared her journey into motherhood for the first time. Crowds and cameras noted her visible baby bump, affirming the joyous personal news in a moment blending Hollywood glamour with heartfelt celebration.
Fantastic Four Cast Joins Kirby at Festival and in Promo
As the spotlight shone on her at the festival’s red carpet, Vanessa Kirby stood shoulder to shoulder with her Marvel co-stars: Pedro Pascal, who steps into the role of Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Their appearance not only marked the anticipation surrounding the franchise’s second reboot but also provided fans a glimpse of strong camaraderie within the Fantastic Four ensemble.
Away from the live event, Kirby also appeared in a short promotional video for the film, elegantly dressed in a black gown and again drawing attention to her baby bump. This video, shot in Mexico City and released via Marvel’s official Instagram account on June 1, further celebrated the star’s milestone, engaging the wider Marvel community ahead of the film’s launch. The promotional push and Kirby’s announcement have stoked enthusiasm for the film, slated to debut in theaters on July 25.
Personal Life: Relationship and Recent Escapades
In addition to her professional achievements, Vanessa Kirby’s personal life has garnered much attention. She has shared her life with retired lacrosse player Paul Rabil for over two years. Their relationship went public on Instagram in 2023 when Rabil posted intimate moments featuring the couple—from playful shoulder rides and beach embraces to heartfelt tributes that underline their bond.
Reflecting on their connection, Rabil wrote,
“From the very minute we first met in Des Moines, around the world and back, life is far better, more purposeful and more beautiful with you.”
—Paul Rabil, Premier Lacrosse League Co-Founder
Continuing their adventures, the couple recently took a vacation together in Saint Kitts and Nevis, capturing memories and sharing gratitude. Vanessa posted:
“What a beautiful time away to stop for a second to appreciate the people you most love, thank you so much @fsnevis for making us feel so welcome and for having us in such a special place.”
—Vanessa Kirby, Actress
Awaited Marvel Release and Cast Spotlight
Vanessa Kirby and her fellow superheroes will soon appear on the big screen when The Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres on July 25. As excitement builds, fans have been eagerly revisiting the journeys of Marvel’s iconic actors—how they were cast, their initial doubts or challenges, and the impact of taking on such legendary roles.
How Marvel’s Superheroes Find Their Stars
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is renowned for its careful casting processes, often involving hundreds of auditions and surprising choices. Simu Liu, for instance, won the role of Shang-Chi after years of persistence, even publicly asking Marvel about the part via social media. Reflecting on his pivotal casting, Liu recalled,
“It was July 16th, 2019, about 6:30 p.m., early evening. I had just woken up from a nap, and I was in my underwear, eating shrimp crackers… My dog was napping in my apartment, and I just remember getting a call from an unknown number in Burbank, California. And just hearing Kevin Feige’s beautiful, booming voice on the other end, telling me that my life was going to change forever, was pretty memorable.”
—Simu Liu, Actor
Marvel Studios executive Kevin Feige said,
“Bringing a new Marvel hero into the fold is never easy, and there is always a lot of pressure on us and I’m sure on the actors, but Simu has pulled it off in ways that again, I’m very excited for audiences to finally see in September.”
—Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios President
Major roles such as Iron Man’s Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., or Captain America’s Steve Rogers, portrayed by Chris Evans, weren’t always clear picks. Both actors overcame skepticism from studio heads and their own hesitations to become pillars of the MCU, with casting stories now considered Hollywood legend.
Director Jon Favreau explained the importance of risk-taking in casting, particularly with Downey Jr.:
“We didn’t want to just go with a safe choice. The best and worst moments of Robert’s life have been in the public eye. He had to find an inner balance to overcome obstacles that went far beyond his career. That’s Tony Stark… Robert brings a depth that goes beyond a comic book character having trouble in high school, or can’t get the girl.”
—Jon Favreau, Director
Feige offered further praise, noting,
“We knew he was a great actor and we knew he was unbelievably charismatic and he’d be able to bring Tony Stark to life in an unbelievable way. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the MCU would not exist without Robert Downey Jr.”
—Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios President
Similarly, Chris Evans initially turned down the Captain America role multiple times. He explained,
“I was saying no out of fear, really… You can’t do anything out of fear. You can’t be doing something because you’re scared. It ended up kind of clicking to me in the way that whatever you’re scared of, push yourself into it.”
—Chris Evans, Actor
Other actors, such as Brie Larson, who plays Captain Marvel, and Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed Black Panther, also navigated moments of doubt and calculated decisions before joining the superhero lineup. With their castings, Marvel’s vision of combining relatability with superhuman abilities became foundational for the success of each new film.
Behind-the-Scenes Decisions and Alternate Choices
Often, Marvel’s first choice for a superhero hasn’t been their final pick. Notable near-misses include Emily Blunt, who was eyed for the roles of Black Widow and later Captain Marvel, and John Krasinski, who tested for Captain America. Discussing missed opportunities, Emily Blunt commented,
“I think it’s always for me, it’s always about—and now, more so—what am I putting out there? What would be interesting for me and what would be interesting for people to see… So, if it’s an awesome part, it doesn’t matter if it’s a Marvel movie or a tiny movie, I’d be up for it.”
—Emily Blunt, Actress
These stories underscore the intense competition and serendipity involved in Marvel casting, as a constellation of leading actors have passed through the audition process, sometimes landing alternate roles better suited to their talents and personalities.
Diversity and progressive storytelling have also begun shaping the MCU, particularly in casting decisions such as Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie—Marvel’s first openly bisexual hero. Director Taika Waititi noted,
“Right from the start we wanted to diversify the cast, and it’s hard when you’re working with Vikings. You want to be more inclusive and provide a broader representation… And at that point, you have to look at the source material as a very loose inspiration. And then take it from there and go with your gut… We cast a very broad net, and Tess was the best person.”
—Taika Waititi, Director
Impact and Significance of Marvel’s Casting Choices
Marvel’s approach to assembling its ensemble of heroes has not only shaped individual careers but also influenced Hollywood’s culture and global fandoms. Robert Downey Jr. famously revived his career through Iron Man, while Chris Hemsworth’s portrayal of Thor introduced a fresh face to American audiences. Some actors, like Paul Bettany, journeyed from voicing a computer intelligence (JARVIS) to playing the on-screen superhero Vision, highlighting Marvel’s knack for evolving its characters and actors alike.
Stars often reflect on how their roles extend beyond mere entertainment. Zoe Saldana, who brings Gamora to life, stated,
“Those elitists should be a little more cognizant about what playing a superhero means to a young child. Because you’re not just dissing me, you’re dissing what that child considers important in their world… I feel so proud to be living in space, to be playing green and blue aliens, to inspire, primarily, the younger generations.”
—Zoe Saldana, Actress
Other unlikely stars—like former comedy actor Chris Pratt—have noted how the transformation into a Marvel hero required major dedication, from physical training to adopting new mindsets. Pratt said,
“For me it felt like a perfect fit right off the bat. I felt like at my very first audition that I nailed it, but, I was afraid that I wasn’t physically right for it because I was still pretty big… I mean, I knew he had my spirit—I knew that my spirit was right. And I knew it sounded right, I just didn’t look right yet.”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
Voicing beloved animated or CG characters has become another avenue into MCU fame. Vin Diesel, tasked with bringing Groot to life, worked with unique scripts that translated his iconic line, while Bradley Cooper, as Rocket Raccoon, infused the character with memorable flair. Director James Gunn revealed,
“He is a motion reference actor. That means we film everything Sean does on set as Rocket. We film it… I don’t stop doing takes of him until we get the performance right and then we use that performance as a basis for much of Rocket’s acting.”
—James Gunn, Director
The Marvel Ensemble Continues to Evolve
As Marvel prepares to introduce Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm in the new Fantastic Four, the franchise demonstrates its ongoing commitment to balancing tradition, innovation, and real-life milestones. Kirby’s red-carpet baby bump debut signals another chapter in the confluence of real-world stories and superhero legend, strengthening the bond between actors and the massive international audience that follows their journeys both on and off the screen.
With every high-profile appearance and moment of vulnerability—whether celebrating a pregnancy, embracing a complex character, or joining the cast against the odds—Marvel’s stars and stories reaffirm the franchise’s cultural impact. As the next phase approaches, all eyes will be on Vanessa Kirby and her co-stars, adding fresh energy and anticipation to the future of the MCU.
