In the latest twist of Marvel Studios’ grand plan for the Fantastic Four reboot, the Eater of Worlds, Galactus, may be played by none other than Javier Bardem.
This comes hot on the heels of the news that Pedro Pascal is almost set to portray Mr. Fantastic, adding another layer of excitement to the much-anticipated superhero film.
According to insider Jeff Sneider, Bardem, known for his roles in “No Country for Old Men” and “Dune,” is Marvel’s top choice for the cosmic villain.
However, there’s a potential hiccup in the form of a scheduling conflict with Bardem’s commitment to Apple’s F1 movie, starring Brad Pitt. But fear not, as Galactus is expected to be a voice role, allowing Bardem to potentially juggle both projects.
The rest of the cast for the FF reboot
Initially, Antonio Banderas was in the running for the role, but Bardem has emerged as the front-runner, though the decision is not finalized. The film is also rumored to introduce a female take on the Silver Surfer, Galactus’s herald.
With Pedro Pascal reportedly on board as Mr. Fantastic, the rest of the Fantastic Four cast may not be far behind. Vanessa Kirby is rumored to play Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing).
Intriguingly, Jake Gyllenhaal was offered a role, but negotiations fell through due to monetary concerns. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige also sought more diversity in the cast, leading to the casting of Pascal and potentially Bardem.
The film’s announced director, Matt Shakman, said in an interview last month that once the SAG-AFTRA strike was resolved, they could move forward more quickly with casting.
There will be an announcement at some point! I know that the internet is very excited to find out, and I’m excited to share it. I just can’t do it yet.
Matt Shakman.
A fresh take on a timeless classic
Shakman, promises a fresh take on the iconic superhero team, steering clear of the usual origin story.
“A lot of people know this origin story. A lot of people know the basics. How do we take that and bring something that they’ve never seen before?”Feige remarked in a 2022 interview.
With the casting puzzle slowly coming together, Marvel’s Fantastic Four is poised to bring a new era of excitement to the superhero genre.
The film is set to hit theaters on May 2, 2025, and fans are eagerly awaiting more updates as the production progresses.