Why Marvel cut Oscar-nominated John Malkovich's villain role from ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps': A brief explainer
Director Matt Shakman confirmed the decision to cut the Emmy-winning/Oscar-nominated actor's scenes in an interview with Variety, citing the film's complex structure and need to keep focus.
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'There was a lot of stuff to balance in this movie, and some things had to go,' Shakman said. 'John is one of my favorite humans and one of my biggest inspirations. It was heartbreaking not to include him."
Malkovich's scenes were part of the film's early sequence, which explored the Fantastic Four's first years as superheroes. A brief shot of Malkovich as the Red Ghost appeared in the first teaser trailer.
'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," said Shakman.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens July 25 and stars Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Vanessa Kirby, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Red Ghost is an early adversary of the Fantastic Four in the comics, leading a team of super-powered apes against the heroes. He first appeared in issue No. 13 in 1963 and returned through the years. Befitting his name, Red Ghost was a Soviet scientist who had the power to become intangible and invisible.
Malkovich had previously turned down offers to appear in Marvel films, but agreed to join The Fantastic Four to work again with Shakman, who directed him in the 2014 independent film Cut Bank.
In a February interview with GQ, Malkovich explained his earlier reluctance to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
'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,' he said. 'These films are quite grueling to make…. If you're going to hang from a crane in front of a green screen for six months, pay me. You don't want to pay me, it's cool, but then I don't want to do it, because I'd rather be onstage, or be directing a play, or doing something else.'
After filming The Fantastic Four, Malkovich compared the experience to stage work.
'It's not that dissimilar to doing theater,' he said. 'You imagine a bunch of stuff that isn't there and do your little play.'
Despite being cut from the final version, Shakman said he was honored to have worked with Malkovich again and praised his performance.
'John was brilliant in it, and gave it his all."
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Business Insider
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17 minutes ago
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Follow the brand on Instagram and TikTok. *Not a low calorie food.** Reformulated Activia probiotic and fiber yogurts have at least 25% less sugar (8-9g total sugar per 4oz serving) than the previous formula (11-12g per 4oz).*** Enjoying Activia twice a day for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle may help reduce the frequency of minor digestive discomfort, which includes gas, bloating, rumbling, and abdominal discomfort. About Danone North America Danone North America is a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. As a Certified B Corporation®, Danone North America is committed to the creation of both economic and social value, while nurturing natural ecosystems through regenerative agriculture. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free, STōK® Cold Brew Coffee, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®. With approximately 6,000 employees and 15 production locations across the U.S. and Canada, Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. For more information on Danone North America, visit About Disney's Freakier Friday: "Freakier Friday," the eagerly anticipated sequel to the Disney classic starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, will be released in theaters nationwide August 8, 2025. In the film, Curtis and Lohan reprise their roles as Tess and Anna Coleman. The story picks up years after Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) endured an identity crisis. Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice. "Freakier Friday" is directed by Nisha Ganatra, and the screenplay is by Jordan Weiss, with a story by Elyse Hollander and Jordan Weiss, based on the book "Freaky Friday" by Mary Rodgers. The film, which also stars Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Rosalind Chao, Chad Michael Murray, and Mark Harmon, is produced by Kristin Burr, p.g.a., Andrew Gunn, p.g.a., and Jamie Lee Curtis, with Ann Marie Sanderlin, Mario Iscovich, Nathan Kelly, and Lindsay Lohan serving as executive producers. Contact: Haley McDillhmcdill@ ______________________________ 1 Reformulated Activia probiotic and fiber yogurts have at least 25% less sugar (8-9g total sugar per 4oz serving) than the previous formula (11-12g per 4oz). 2 Recipe updates to cups do not include Zero Added Sugar cups. 3 4 Source: Cleveland Clinic, CRF View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Danone North America
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
George Clooney Hits Back at Biggest Criticism of His Acting
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