Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who stars as Ben Grimm in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, disclosed that the script was not finalized when rehearsals began for the Marvel film. This unusual situation meant the cast was involved in shaping the story throughout the rehearsal period.
He explained,
“
I don’t think the script was fully ready at the time that we started [rehearsals], so we were sort of workshopping the movie in a way,
”
adding,
We were doing a lot of shared research, talking to astronauts and scientists and watching a lot of Apollo footage together.
” —Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Actor
Comparison with James Gunn’s Approach to DC Studios Screenplays
This method contrasts sharply with the approach James Gunn takes for the DC Universe (DCU), where he has maintained strict standards for screenplay readiness. Gunn recently stated his refusal to proceed with projects lacking strong scripts.
“
Everybody wanted to make the movie. It was greenlit, ready to go. The screenplay wasn’t ready. And I couldn’t do a movie where the screenplay’s not good.
”
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
An Immersive Rehearsal Process for the Marvel Film
The rehearsal process for Fantastic Four was notably immersive and collaborative. Director Matt Shakman and screenwriter Josh Friedmen engaged the cast in a three-week workshop within a room dressed to reflect the movie’s period setting. This experience allowed the actors to deepen their understanding of their characters and the film’s atmosphere before production fully progressed.
Cast Highlights and Anticipation for Release
The film stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. Ralph Ineson takes on the role of Galactus, while Julia Garner plays the Silver Surfer. Despite some uncertainty about the final story, the trailers and footage released so far suggest the movie could become one of the strongest Marvel offerings to date.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on July 24 and in the US on July 25, building anticipation among fans eagerly awaiting the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. The updated CGI version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman movie was inspired by Ozu. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still finds prayer important. However, he also describes himself as “anti-religion” in certain aspects.
