John Malkovich, the two-time Oscar nominee celebrated for
his magnetic performances in Dangerous Liaisons
and Burn
After Reading
, has long danced between indie films and mainstream projects
with effortless unpredictability. His upcoming role in The Fantastic
Four: First Steps
marks a rare foray into superhero cinema, a genre
he has cautiously sidestepped for years. While fans eagerly dissect rumors about
his mysterious character, Malkovich’s candid reflections on his Marvel history
reveal a pragmatic actor unafraid of bucking industry trends.
Green-screen marathons and creative clashes nearly kept Malkovich out of Marvel’s orbit until the right role (and collaborator) changed his mind.
Why John Malkovich said no to Marvel until now?
In a recent GQ interview, John Malkovich
disclosed turning down multiple Marvel offers due to financial disagreements. “The reason I didn’t do them had nothing to do with any artistic considerations whatsoeve
r,” he stated bluntly. The actor criticized the grueling physical demands of superhero films, quipping that if he were “going to hang from a crane in front of a green screen for six months
,” compensation needed to match the effort.
John Malkovich turned down previous Marvel roles because of pay before agreeing to join the #FantasticFour:
“The reason I didn’t do them had nothing to do with any artistic considerations whatsoever. I didn’t like the deals they made, at all. These films are quite grueling to… pic.twitter.com/ZlBJh173VU
— Screen Rant (@screenrant) February 19, 2025
Malkovich’s stance softened when director Matt Shakman, a
collaborator from 2014’s Cut Bank
approached him for The
Fantastic Four: First Steps
. Though his character remains unconfirmed,
rumors suggest he will play Soviet scientist Ivan Kragoff (aka Red Ghost). The
actor’s pragmatic shift highlights his selective approach.
Read More: The ‘Fantastic Four’ Actor Joseph Quinn Drops Crumbs of Excitement for ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
The Fantastic Four
’s retro-futuristic reboot is not just a superhero story, it is a family saga with cosmic stakes.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a bold new chapter for the MCU
Set in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, The
Fantastic Four: First Steps
(July 25, 2025) introduces Marvel’s first
family as established heroes adored by the public. The star-studded cast
will battle Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer. The
film explores their origin via a multiverse experiment gone awry, blending
family dynamics with apocalyptic threats.
While details about Malkovich’s character remain shrouded in secrecy, the film’s creative direction led by director Matt Shakman and a dynamic writing team resonates with the actor’s affinity for collaborative, layered storytelling. As the MCU continues to evolve, First Steps
aims to balance nostalgic reverence for the iconic superhero team with fresh narrative risks. The ensemble, unafraid to challenge genre conventions, signals a bold reimagining of Marvel’s foundational legends, blending legacy with innovation.
Read More: Fans Pit MCU’s “1960’s mothers” Following the New Trailer Release of ‘Fantastic Four’ Flick
What do you think of John Malkovich’s Marvel journey? Share
your theories about his role in the comments below!