Marvel’s First Family Casting Thread

[Eddie Dean]

Yaphet Kotto should have been Ben Grimm

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Jack Kurtzberg and Stan Lieber were part of a unique ethnic group that was persecuted here and abroad as they were growing up, and they deserve, at the very least, one character in this whole universe they created to stand for them.

And they deserve to have that character remain true to their ethnic group without rationalizing an unnecessary change because a small, unrepresentative number of African Americans are also Jewish.

 

[Detective Conan]

Jack Kirby and Stan Lieber were part of a unique ethnic group that was persecuted here and abroad as they were growing up, and they deserve, at the very least, one character in this whole universe they created to stand for them.

And they deserve to have that character remain true to their ethnic group without rationalizing an unnecessary change because a small, unrepresentative number of African Americans are also Jewish.

Tell me Willie, would you also be against Reed, Sue, and Johnny being changed as well? Would you be disappointed if Marvel race-swapped them?

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Tell me Willie, would you also be against Reed, Sue, and Johnny being changed as well? Would you be disappointed if Marvel race-swapped them?

No. As long as the actor is right for the part. But Ben is a special circumstance (like Black Panther) because Jack Kirby has specifically said he based Ben on himself, and I feel like we owe it to Jack (and also Stan).

As I mentioned they were both young Jewish guys at a time that Jewish people faced real persecution and the fact that Marvel has been so obsessed with representing “diversity” while not having any characters from Jack and Stan’s ethnic group is kind of shameful.

And I highly doubt that Jack and Stan had many African American Jewish friends in their neighborhood, so I think that kind of discussion misses the point.

 

[Stark Bauer]

Jack Kirby and Stan Lieber were part of a unique ethnic group that was persecuted here and abroad as they were growing up, and they deserve, at the very least, one character in this whole universe they created to stand for them.

And they deserve to have that character remain true to their ethnic group without rationalizing an unnecessary change because a small, unrepresentative number of African Americans are also Jewish.

Well said. This is why I have been advocating for Seth Rogen for the role of Ben Grimm. Not only does he have the comedic-dramatic chops Marvel seems to lean towards in their castings, but his own life experiences inform his ability to play the role more genuinely - think RDJ and his rise to fame, tragic downward spiral into drug addiction, and subsequent rehab success story spilling over into Tony Stark's own character arc.

Seth has had not only lived the Jewish experience but he has battled with his own body image, he knows he isn't like the typical Hollywood male lead - the Brad Pitts and Johnny Depps . Additionally, he has a unique distinctive voice that lends itself well to a character that most likely will be CG, which I do not think he will have a problem with (due to his experience having done voice acting). Personality wise, he seems to be a blunt character (no pun intended), and his humour leans towards the witty, self-deprecating type which may or may not fit with Ben Grimm in the comics (perhaps more hardcore FF fans could confirm this).

 

[Dr. Evil]

Well said. This is why I have been advocating for Seth Rogen for the role of Ben Grimm. Not only does he have the comedic-dramatic chops Marvel seems to lean towards in their castings, but his own life experiences inform his ability to play the role more genuinely - think RDJ and his rise to fame, tragic downward spiral into drug addiction, and subsequent rehab success story spilling over into Tony Stark's own character arc.

Seth has had not only lived the Jewish experience but he has battled with his own body image, he knows he isn't like the typical Hollywood male lead - the Brad Pitts and Johnny Depps . Additionally, he has a unique distinctive voice that lends itself well to a character that most likely will be CG, which I do not think he will have a problem with (due to his experience having done voice acting). Personality wise, he seems to be a blunt character (no pun intended), and his humour leans towards the witty, self-deprecating type which may or may not fit with Ben Grimm in the comics (perhaps more hardcore FF fans could confirm this).

If we ever have an Ant Man/Wasp and Fantastic Four combo, Seth and Paul Rudd can do promotional tours again. They were a lot of fun when they did those tours together for the multiple films they did years ago.

 

[BobJM]

FANTASTIC FOUR
directed by Jon Watts

Mister Fantastic: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Invisible Woman: Carey Mulligan

Human Torch: Ross Lynch

The Thing: Seth Rogen

 

[Dr. Evil]

Seth Rogen as Thing + Paul Rudd as Ant Man = Wicked Good time!

 

[batdude]

About the Seth Rogen thing, if he could get himself in Green Hornet shape again maybe. Ben was a football player before he was the Thing. maybe Jason Segal would be a better fit. Stan and Jack should be represented.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I think either Jason or Seth would need a Chris Pratt type transformation, but it’s possible.

And Seth is listed at 5’11” which would make him big enough to play linebacker on a typical college team. He might be under-sized to go to the NFL, but Ben never went pro.

 

[Dark Raven]

Seth should easily be able to get into Chris Pratt shape. He's not going to be doing it all on his own but Marvel will assign him a trainer. Look at how Kumail Nanjiani got into shape. He even admitted he'd never have been able to do it on his own.

 

[Stark Bauer]

I am a bit excited if Seth got the role just to see his real life body and face transformation lol

 

[Eddie Dean]

Seth should easily be able to get into Chris Pratt shape. He's not going to be doing it all on his own but Marvel will assign him a trainer. Look at how Kumail Nanjiani got into shape. He even admitted he'd never have been able to do it on his own.

Not to mention what a totally natural transformation it was, not helped by human growth hormone at all!

 

[Time Captain]

Obviously I'm on team John Krasinski.

However, does anyone think Adam Driver as Reed may be a realistic choice that they could go for here?

He's a good age for the role, when it comes to longevity. He's gaining high profile in Hollywood. He's already in the Disney family. He's charismatic and could easily be the leading man of this franchise, or the MCU as a whole. Great with offbeat comedy. Reed will likely a major centerpiece of the MCU.

I doubt he'd go with Doom. That'd be typecasting after Kylo Ren.

 

[Dark Raven]

He looks too nerdish for Reed, and they don't need to keep perpetuating that idea that Reed is like that. I prefer they stick to the more gung-ho man of action leader that was prevalent in the 60s and 70s era of FF.

 

[Eddie Dean]

The definition of nerd has lost all meaning

 

[BobJM]

I have no doubt that Adam Driver will be on Marvel’s shortlist.

As for Seth Rogen’s physique, I don’t think he needs a ‘Chris Pratt type transformation.’ I don’t expect to see his human form much and even then, I don’t see why he’d need to be ripped/shirtless...isn’t that Johnny’s department?

 

[JB33]

FANTASTIC FOUR
directed by Jon Watts

Mister Fantastic: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Invisible Woman: Carey Mulligan

Human Torch: Ross Lynch

The Thing: Seth Rogen

Fantastic fan cast! I never thought of JGL for Reed Richards but that would be a solid casting.

 

[MilkmanDan]

He looks too nerdish for Reed, and they don't need to keep perpetuating that idea that Reed is like that. I prefer they stick to the more gung-ho man of action leader that was prevalent in the 60s and 70s era of FF.

Time Captain chose a pretty nerdy picture of Adam Driver but that doesn't mean he'll look or act nerdy in the movie. Driver's distinctive face fits a lot of different character types and he is a talented actor. I don't know what MCU's take on the character will be but I'd have plenty of faith in Driver's ability to deliver the performance they want.

As for Seth Rogen’s physique, I don’t think he needs a ‘Chris Pratt type transformation.’ I don’t expect to see his human form much and even then, I don’t see why he’d need to be ripped/shirtless...isn’t that Johnny’s department?

True. We don't need to see Ben's abs but I wouldn't mind Seth getting in decent shape. He doesn't need to look like an underwear model, just a former jock/military guy who still takes care of himself.

 

[Eddie Dean]

I kinda doubt we even see The Thing in human form at all, tbh.

 

[BobJM]

True. We don't need to see Ben's abs but I wouldn't mind Seth getting in decent shape. He doesn't need to look like an underwear model, just a former jock/military guy who still takes care of himself.

lol I still think Seth Rogen’s in decent shape and looks like he takes care of himself.

 

[Stark Bauer]

lol I still think Seth Rogen’s in decent shape and looks like he takes care of himself.

true but you cant deny the Marvel effect on people's bodies.

 

[Crimz]

true but you cant deny the Marvel effect on people's bodies.

That depends. Ben Grimm would likely be treated like Hulk in terms of special effects. Mark Ruffalo has never needed the Marvel workout and I can see it being the same with whoever plays Ben. It's not necessary to put an actor through all that for like 5 minutes of screentime.

 

[Dark Raven]

That depends. Ben Grimm would likely be treated like Hulk in terms of special effects. Mark Ruffalo has never needed the Marvel workout and I can see it being the same with whoever plays Ben. It's not necessary to put an actor through all that for like 5 minutes of screentime.

If I were Seth Rogen and up for the role of the Thing, I still would want to have some kind of workout even if it's not as extreme as some others (like Chris Hemsworth) and for only 5 minutes of screen time. When else would you ever have access to a personal trainer and get that fit on your own? But that would be more for fitness reasons than filming reasons. Might as well make use of what's available.

 

[Stark Bauer]

That depends. Ben Grimm would likely be treated like Hulk in terms of special effects. Mark Ruffalo has never needed the Marvel workout and I can see it being the same with whoever plays Ben. It's not necessary to put an actor through all that for like 5 minutes of screentime.

true but i also get the sense that a lot of actors even if the physique is not needed, are extra motivated to get into better shape for a DC/MCU role. Look at the grueling choreography that Oscar Isaac has been posting. Everyone except for Pattinson lol