John Malkovich has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in The Fantastic Four, taking on a role that has captured the attention and curiosity of fans worldwide. The highly anticipated film recently unveiled its first trailer, offering fleeting glimpses of an impressive cast, which features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. While the trailer primarily focuses on the film’s main heroes, it reveals a shadowy figure—Malkovich, with his iconic scraggly beard—emerging briefly, sparking intrigue about his character.
Malkovich’s participation was confirmed back in May 2024, but seeing him in the trailer may still surprise casual viewers. Marvel Studios is renowned for its keen eye for talent, and Malkovich stands out as one of the most versatile actors in the industry. Known for his enigmatic personality that often blurs the line between character and reality, Malkovich’s unique charm is anticipated to bring something special to his MCU character, even though his exact role remains a mystery.
The trailer has successfully revealed the core cast while keeping several secrets under wraps. In addition to Pascal and Kirby, viewers got a glimpse of Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm and Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm in their CGI forms. However, questions persist regarding Galactus and Julia Garner‘s portrayal of Silver Surfer. Garner takes on the role of Shalla-Bal, diverging from the traditional Norrin Radd version, so Marvel has chosen to keep that design under wraps for now.
With multiple characters still shrouded in mystery, Malkovich stands out in the trailer, particularly due to his unkempt beard and shadowy presence. Other cast members have also been rumored to hold undisclosed roles, such as Paul Walter Hauser and Natasha Lyonne. There are speculations that Hauser might voice H.E.R.B.I.E., while Lyonne is believed to play Alicia Masters, a blind artist and frequent love interest for The Thing. The combination of these enigmas has generated substantial buzz among fans as they speculate who Malkovich could be portraying.
Among the widely discussed theories online, fans of The Fantastic Four are particularly excited about the possibility of Malkovich playing an unexpected character. One major contender is Mole Man, who originally appeared in 1961’s The Fantastic Four #1 as the first villain encountered by Marvel’s First Family. Known as Harvey Rupert Elder, Mole Man was a once-rejected nuclear engineer who discovered the underground realm of Subterranea and subsequently used his power and resources to launch attacks on the surface world. His potential inclusion would be a nod to the team’s long history, especially given the anticipated 1960s aesthetic of the film. However, some fans lean towards believing that Malkovich’s visual in the trailer might not align with this character.
Instead, speculation has gravitated towards Ivan Kragoff, also known as The Red Ghost. As a Soviet scientist who sought to outpace the Americans in the Space Race, he used cosmic rays to grant superpowers to a team of monkeys. The strong ties to space and that era make this character a more plausible fit for Malkovich, especially with the imagery of rockets and space suits that appeared in the trailer.
Another intriguing theory suggests that Malkovich could be playing Nathaniel Richards, Reed’s father. In Marvel Comics, Nathaniel possesses the ability to time travel but mysteriously disappears from Reed’s life after encountering alternate versions of himself. His backstory includes entering another dimension where he marries a power-hungry woman and later crossing paths with The Fantastic Four. Given the multiverse implications that may play a significant part in the film, this theory holds water, especially considering that The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in an alternate reality. Nathaniel’s troubled appearance could mean his return introduces the team to Earth-616.
The excitement surrounding The Fantastic Four: First Steps is undeniable, as the cast is rumored to continue their journey into the larger MCU narrative, specifically in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. As fans anticipate the film’s release, Malkovich’s enigmatic role is expected to be a pivotal point within the MCU timeline, serving as a thread that connects various characters and timelines. The tantalizing hints presented in the trailer and the rich history of The Fantastic Four suggest that Malkovich’s role may be far more significant than first appears, setting the stage for thrilling developments in the MCU and ensuring that audiences remain captivated.