This is one of those “take it with a grain of salt reports”, especially considering the widely varying news stories regarding casting for this particular project. Josh Trank (CHRONICLE) is helming the FANTASTIC FOUR reboot, and rumors have already heavily indicated at least two cast members for the project, Miles Teller (THE SPECTACULAR NOW) as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, and Michael B. Jordan (FRUITVALE STATION) as Johnny Storm/Human Torch. Now is looks like two more names can be thrown in the pot. Kate Mara (HOUSE OF CARDS) is said to be cast as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman and Jamie Bell (THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN) is the current pick to play Ben Grimm/The Thing. Keep in mind, NONE of these casting choices have been made “official” yet, but sources indicate strongly this is where things are headed. We can expect a studio announcement soon, as the film is due Summer of next year. While Mara has been a name thrown around previously for the movie, Bell is a new name to the project, and (if we’re being completely honest here) quite an unexpected choice for a character like Ben Grimm. Michael Chiklis previously played Grimm in the two FANTASTIC FOUR movies by Tim Story, and seemed a good fit considering his build and voice. While Bell is certainly a competent actor, he hardly seems a likely candidate for the role, but a lot of the Marvel movie casting decisions in recent years have been somewhat surprising. It’s expected that The Thing will most likely be done primarily with motion capture this time around.
Variety says that Mara’s deal is done, and an offer is out to Teller with deal points being negotiated, and that an offer will be extended to Bell. There’s also this interesting tidbit:
Based on the comic “The Ultimate Fantastic Four,” the contemporary update will focus on the characters as young men and women. Josh Trank will helm the pic with Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn and Gregory Goodman serving as producers.
So now more than ever you can safely say this is not going to feel like the classic FF team from the comic books. What’s interesting to us about this is the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic book series didn’t seem to do that well, at least not near the level of say Ultimate Spider-Man. How do you feel about these casting choices, should this be the final roster? Tell us in the comments. Regardless, the new FANTASTIC FOUR is set to hit theaters on June 19, 2015
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
