John Malkovich has been cut from Marvel Studios’ upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, despite appearances in early promotional material. The actor was initially cast to portray a classic Marvel villain, the Red Ghost, also known as Ivan Kragoff, in an opening sequence that featured superpowered apes. This scene was ultimately removed from the final cut as it did not align with the film’s main storyline.
Malkovich’s exclusion was confirmed by Variety, which revealed that the character he was to play would no longer be part of the film. Director Matt Shakman shared that though Malkovich’s performance was exceptional, editing decisions were necessary to focus on the four main heroes and maintain the film’s narrative coherence.
Insights into the Decision to Cut Malkovich and the Red Ghost Scene
Director Matt Shakman expressed regret over the decision to omit John Malkovich’s role, praising the actor’s dedication and talent. Shakman stated,
“There were a lot of things that ultimately ended up hitting the cutting room floor. When we were building a ’60s retro-future world, introducing all of these villains, introducing these four main characters as a group, as well as individually, introducing the idea of a child — there was a lot of stuff to balance in this movie and some things had to go ultimately in terms of shaping the film for its final version. It was heartbreaking not to include [John Malkovich] in the final version of the movie because he’s one of my very favorite humans and one of my biggest inspirations. As a person who walks the line between theater and film and television, there’s no one who is more inspiring than the founder of Steppenwolf Theater Company. What he’s done on stage as an actor and what he’s done as a director in theater as well as in film, and as just a film actor of incredible ability — I was honored he came to play.”
Though Malkovich’s talents and legacy were highly regarded, the complexity of introducing multiple villains, the main characters both as a group and individually, along with the concept of a child character, compelled the filmmakers to make tough cuts. The sequence involving Ivan Kragoff and the superpowered apes did not fit smoothly into the story’s overall framework, prompting its removal to streamline the narrative.
Context on the Red Ghost and Its Impact on the MCU’s Villain Roster
The character Ivan Kragoff, or the Red Ghost, holds a significant place in Marvel lore as a classic villain originally created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. His involvement alongside his superpowered apes could have added depth and intrigue to the beginning of the film.
This casting also supports theories about The Fantastic Four encountering many of their villains before facing large-scale threats like Galactus and the Silver Surfer. Paul Walter Hauser has been confirmed to portray Mole Man, another key villain in the Marvel Universe. Additionally, speculation surrounds Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, who reportedly originates from an alternate reality dubbed Earth-828. This layering of villains suggests a richer backstory for the team, creating a world with a complex history akin to other famous superhero universes.
Interestingly, the Monkey-related subplot, now removed from Fantastic Four, echoes certain elements familiar to Superman lore, though the reasons for the cut seem primarily tied to pacing and story structure rather than similarity concerns.
John Malkovich’s History with Marvel Roles and Fan Reactions
John Malkovich’s removal from The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not his first missed opportunity with a Marvel supervillain role. He was once cast to play Adrian Toomes, the Vulture, in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 4, a film that was ultimately canceled in favor of a reboot. The character later debuted in Spider-Man: Homecoming, played by Michael Keaton.
Malkovich’s involvement in Marvel films has been rare and cautious, as he has reportedly been hesitant to join superhero projects. His casting for The Fantastic Four: First Steps was viewed as a notable exception, making the decision to cut him from the finished film particularly disappointing for fans anticipating his performance.
Concerns Over the Film’s Runtime and Editing Choices
The final runtime of The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been confirmed at just 1 hour and 55 minutes, placing it among the shortest MCU films to date. This brevity has raised concerns among fans that significant content, including Malkovich’s scenes, was sacrificed to meet the runtime goals.
Similar cuts have occurred in previous MCU films, such as both The Incredible Hulk and Thor: The Dark World, where substantial footage was left unused. Additionally, actress Rosa Salazar was completely removed from Captain America: Brave New World despite previously being included in promotional tie-ins, fueling worries that important story elements are sometimes lost in the editing process.
The exclusion of the Red Ghost scene raises questions about the balance between pacing and storytelling. Fans hope that these decisions enhance the film’s overall quality, rather than repeating past instances where content cuts diminished narrative depth.
Main Cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic; Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman; Joseph Quinn portraying Johnny Storm or the Human Torch; and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, known as The Thing. This ensemble represents the core of Marvel’s First Family as they embark on their introductory story.
What This Means for the Future of The Fantastic Four and the MCU
The removal of a high-profile actor like John Malkovich and his role as a classic villain signals Marvel Studios’ focused approach in bringing the First Family to the screen. By prioritizing character development and story cohesion, Marvel aims to build a solid foundation for future installments.
This careful shaping of the narrative may pave the way for introducing other villains and expanding the storyline in later films or series. The established presence of characters like Mole Man and hints at alternate realities suggest a broader, interconnected Marvel universe that could develop with greater complexity over time.
Despite the disappointment over cuts, Marvel fans can anticipate seeing the Fantastic Four’s journey unfold through the stellar performances of the main cast and carefully chosen plot elements that serve the larger MCU storyline.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is John Malkovich’s religion?
A. I identify as an atheist. However, this doesn’t mean I completely lack spiritual beliefs, but rather that I don’t adhere to any specific ones.
Q. Is Being John Malkovich dark?
A. He tells his colleague Maxine (played by Catherine Keener) about his find, and they start a strange business selling experiences of “being John Malkovich.” This unique dark comedy dives into ideas of identity and self, helping writer Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze become successful.
Q. What religion is John Malkovich?
A. I don’t believe in a god. Although I lack specific spiritual beliefs, I might be uncertain, like an agnostic. I’m not convinced a supreme being governs everything while granting us free will. To me, this idea is confusing and doesn’t really add up.
