The following contains minor spoilers for Hustle, now streaming on Netflix.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe will be getting its own Fantastic Four sometime soon, with the project reportedly a priority for Marvel Studios. But no official casting announcements have been made yet regarding the film (apart from the fandom nod that was John Krasinski's appearance as Mister Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). However, one of modern Hollywood's most enduring stars might be the perfect person to join the project, bringing his very specific brand of brashness, comedy and surprising vulnerability to one of Marvel's most foundational characters. The Thing will likely be at the heart of any Fantastic Four, and Adam Sandler might be the perfect person for the part.
In Hustle, Sandler's new love letter to basketball (now available on Netflix), Sandler acquaints himself well with the gruff but lovable coach archetype -- the guy who'll call you names while training but be the first to give you a high-five when you do something well. It serves him and the film well, and it's the same kind of friendly bravado that makes up most of Ben Grimm's interactions. While he can unleash the hurt if he needs to (and in some circumstances, he's excited to), The Thing is friendly enough that every superhero wants to hang out and play poker with him. It's the sort of energy that Sandler gives Sugarman, someone who's simultaneously cuddly and prickly, which would translate well to a live-action rendition of The Thing.
The Thing's willingness to throw down -- and his unwillingness to give up a fight -- is a defining element of the character and the sort of archetype that Sandler perfected in his earlier career in roles like Happy Gilmore and Punch-Drunk Love. But with age, Sandler has also proven more than capable at pulling at the heartstrings. In Hustle, an exhausted Sugarman almost collapses after a series of bad breaks almost dooms him and Bo Cruz's hopes -- with the soulful and pained look perfectly mimicking the kind of somber notes that Grimm deals with whenever stories reflect on whether he's "a man or a monster."
The character will also, like Groot, Rocket Raccoon and the Hulk, likely be a completely CGI creation, meaning Sandler's age isn't as much of a factor as it can be for the rest of the group. The MCU could even use the same de-aging technology they used for Samuel L. Jackson in Captain Marvel to allow Sandler to briefly appear as a younger man before the fateful trip into space before allowing the actor to perform the character primarily through voice-over. Using that CGI approach for the character also likely allows the filmmakers to more easily replicate Sandler's eyes and expressions, which the actor is able to do well for comedic or dramatic purposes alike. There might even be some merit to playing Ben Grimm older, playing off his old school mentality against a more forward-thinking and younger Reed Richards.
Grimm is one of the characters that, if the MCU gets him right, could become one of the faces of the franchise. And having someone of Sandler's clout in that role could draw even more eyes to the project and finally give the MCU someone who could fully and formally replace Iron Man as the guiding light and beating heart of the series. In any case, Sandler's persona, experience and skills make him an ideal performer to take on the character.
To see Sandler show he has what it takes to play The Thing, Hustle is now streaming on Netflix.