According to The Wrap, the first member of the rebooted “Fantastic Four” might be cast – Michael B. Jordan, who co-starred in director Josh Trank’s previous movie, the more-clever-than-it-had-any-right-to-be “Chronicle,” seems to be in contention to play The Human Torch aka Johnny Storm. The reboot is scheduled to hit theaters in 2015.
What makes this interesting, of course, is that Jordan is an African American actor, and the Human Torch, in the comics and in the original two “Fantastic Four” movies, is white (current Captain America Chris Evans played the character in “Fantastic Four” and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”). It also calls into question the casting of the Invisible Woman, AKA Sue Storm, who is Johnny’s sister, and another member of the superhero team. Is it too early to suggest Kerry Washington? If not: Kerry Washington.
We’re all for breaking the color barrier when it comes to superheroes and super-villains (like Jamie Foxx’s Electro in next year’s “Amazing Spider-Man 2”) and Jordan, who has had roles on “Friday Night Lights” and “The Wire,” is a terrific actor who can bring the hubris and humanity of Johnny Storm to the big screen with aplomb. (Jordan also appears in the Sundance-winning “Fruitvale Station.”) But, of course, nothing is set in stone until a final announcement is made. And Comic Con is just around the corner…
This new “Fantastic Four” will be produced by Matthew Vaughn and directed by Trank from a script by Jeremy Slater and Seth Grahame-Smith. Also Mark Millar is involved in some capacity. A March 6th, 2015 release date has been set aside.