Cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) – Full List
Whether you grew up reading the comics or just love seeing Marvel bring a new team to the screen, this cast list has plenty of surprises. The Fantastic Four: First Steps assembles a stellar lineup including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn—and yes, Galactus is finally here too.
Confirmed Main Cast: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn ·
Antagonist: Ralph Ineson as Galactus ·
Release Year: 2025 ·
Director: Matt Shakman
Quick snapshot
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Disney Movies – Official Studio Page)
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing (Marvel.com – Marvel Studios Official Website)
- Whether Robert Downey Jr. makes a cameo and exact role of Franklin Richards in the plot (Marvel.com – World Premiere Coverage)
- Which Doctor Doom will appear (if any) (IMDb – Full Cast Credits)
- World premiere: July 22, 2025 and US theatrical release: July 25, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes – Review Aggregator)
- Digital release: September 23, 2025 (USA Today – News Report)
- Director: Matt Shakman (Box Office Mojo – Box Office Tracker), Studio: Marvel Studios (Fandango – Movie Overview), Previous FF films: 2005, 2007, 2015 (Metacritic – Movie Page)
Four key details, one pattern: the production team has locked its core cast but left a few doors open for surprises.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Director | Matt Shakman (Marvel.com – Official Movie Page) |
| Release Date (US) | July 25, 2025 (Disney Movies) |
| Studio | Marvel Studios |
| Previous Fantastic Four films | 2005, 2007, 2015 |
Is Robert Downey Jr. in Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Robert Downey Jr.’s current Marvel status
Robert Downey Jr. is not listed in any official cast announcements for the film. The official cast page on Marvel.com (Marvel Studios) does not include his name, and there has been no confirmation from the actor or the studio. Speculation about a cameo remains just that—speculation.
Confirmed cast members of Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Disney Movies – Official Studio Page)
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Marvel.com)
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing (Marvel.com)
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Marvel.com)
- Ralph Ineson as Galactus (IMDb – Full Cast Credits)
- Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer (Marvel.com)
- Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder / Mole Man (IMDb)
- Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, Mark Gatiss, John Malkovich in undisclosed roles (Marvel.com – World Premiere Coverage)
The cast is packed with talent, but Robert Downey Jr. is not part of it—fans hoping for a Tony Stark reunion will have to wait for another project.
Why did Galactus want the baby?
Who is the baby in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
According to IMDb’s full cast page (User-Contributed Database), Ada Scott is credited as Franklin Richards—the infant son of Reed and Sue Richards. In the comics, Franklin is an omega-level mutant with reality-warping abilities.
Galactus as the antagonist
Ralph Ineson voices Galactus, the cosmic entity who consumes planets for energy. The official Marvel.com (Movie Page) lists Galactus as the primary antagonist. If the film follows comic lore, Galactus targets baby Franklin because of his immense latent power.
The role of Franklin Richards
Franklin’s role in the plot remains unclear, but the casting of Ada Scott suggests the character will appear and may be central to the conflict.
Galactus’s motivation hasn’t been officially confirmed for the film—everything beyond his presence is speculation drawn from decades of comic source material.
Who is the girl in the new Fantastic 4?
Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer
The “girl” in the trailer is Julia Garner, cast as Shalla-Bal, a version of the Silver Surfer. This is confirmed by Marvel.com (Official Cast List). In the comics, Shalla-Bal is the empress of Zenn-La and sometimes wields the Power Cosmic.
Other female characters in the film
Vanessa Kirby plays Sue Storm/Invisible Woman. Natasha Lyonne and Sarah Niles also appear in undisclosed roles (Marvel.com – Premiere Coverage).
Was Scarlett Johansson in the Fantastic Four?
Past Fantastic Four films
Scarlett Johansson has never appeared in any Fantastic Four film. The cast lists of the 2005, 2007, and 2015 movies—available on IMDb (Full Credits)—do not include her name. She played Black Widow in the MCU, a separate franchise.
Scarlett Johansson’s Marvel roles
Johansson portrayed Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow from 2010 to 2021. She was not part of any Fantastic Four project.
Why did Scarlett Johansson quit Marvel?
Dispute over Black Widow release
In 2021, Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney over the simultaneous theatrical and Disney+ release of Black Widow. The case was settled later that year. According to USA Today (News Report), the terms were not disclosed. She has not officially announced a departure from Marvel, but she has not appeared in an MCU film since 2021.
Scarlett Johannsson’s future with Marvel
There is no confirmation that she has quit. Reports such as Box Office Mojo (Box Office Tracker) and other sources do not list her in any upcoming Marvel projects.
Comparing Fantastic Four film casts across the years
Five actors, four films, one clear pattern: each iteration has chosen a distinct combination of stars. Here’s how the 2025 cast compares.
| Character | 2005 (IMDb – 2005 Film Credits) | 2015 (IMDb – 2015 Film Credits) | 2025 First Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic | Ioan Gruffudd | Miles Teller | Pedro Pascal |
| Sue Storm / Invisible Woman | Jessica Alba | Kate Mara | Vanessa Kirby |
| Johnny Storm / Human Torch | Chris Evans | Michael B. Jordan | Joseph Quinn |
| Ben Grimm / The Thing | Michael Chiklis | Jamie Bell | Ebon Moss-Bachrach |
| Victor Von Doom / Dr. Doom | Julian McMahon | Toby Kebbell | ?? (rumored) |
The trade-off: each reboot has leaned younger and often more dramatic. Pascal, Kirby, and Quinn bring indie credibility mixed with blockbuster polish—a blend no previous FF film tried.
What we know and what stays hazy
Confirmed facts
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Related report)
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Related report)
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (Related report)
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Related report)
- Ralph Ineson as Galactus (Related report)
- Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer (Related report)
- Release date July 25, 2025 (Related report)
- 1960s retro-futuristic setting (Related report)
What’s unclear
- Whether Robert Downey Jr. makes a cameo
- Exact role of Franklin Richards in the plot
- Which version of Doctor Doom appears (if any)
- Full extent of John Malkovich’s role
- Galactus’s motivation in the film
- Whether Scarlett Johansson will return to the MCU
- Whether a sequel has been announced
- Whether the film includes a post-credits scene
Quotes from the production
“The film is set in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world.”
— Disney Movies, official description (Related report)
“Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings together an extraordinary cast including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.”
— Marvel.com, world premiere coverage (Related report)
For fans of the original comics, the retro setting and cast choices signal a fresh direction. The implication: Marvel is betting on character-driven storytelling rather than star power alone—a gamble that could redefine the franchise.
Frequently asked questions
Who plays Mr. Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Disney Movies).
Who is the villain in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Ralph Ineson portrays Galactus, the cosmic planet-eater (Marvel.com – Cast List).
When is the release date of The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
July 25, 2025 in the United States (Disney Movies).
Is the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Yes, Julia Garner plays Shalla-Bal, a version of the Silver Surfer (Marvel.com).
Who is the baby in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
The baby is Franklin Richards, son of Reed and Sue, played by Ada Scott (IMDb – Full Cast).
How does the cast compare to the 2005 Fantastic Four?
Each lead role has been recast. The 2005 film featured Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis. The 2025 version stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (IMDb – 2005 Credits).
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