According to an industry insider, Marvel Studios is looking to cast a Jewish actor to play the role of The Thing in Fantastic Four.

The Hot Mic's Jeff Sneider suggests that the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Ben Grimm/The Thing is "going to be Jewish." Sneider previously suggested that director Matt Shakman and Fantastic Four team were searching for a person of color to play the role.

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Grimm's Jewish heritage was revealed in 2002's Fantastic Four #56 by writer Karl Kesel and artist Stuart Immonen. The character's ethnic background had been hinted at for years leading up to the official reveal. In Kesel and Immonen's story, Grimm indicates that he kept his ancestry quiet to protect his Jewish community. When asked if he is ashamed of being Jewish, The Thing replies, "Nah, that ain't it...I don't talk it up, is all. "Figure there's enough trouble in this world without people thinkin' Jews are all monsters like me."

Fantastic Four Casting Rumors Continue to Grow

Fan circles have been abuzz with casting rumors surrounding the introduction of Marvel's First Family in the MCU. Many want John Krasinski to reprise his Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness role as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, though it is looking increasingly unlikely given rumors surrounding other performers such as Penn Badgley, Dev Patel, Diego Luna, Adam Driver, and Tom Ellis. Badgley recently refused to confirm or deny his potential involvement in the project, while many fans want Driver to play the MCU's Doctor Doom instead.

In September 2022, rumors emerged suggesting that Marvel had cast Jodie Comer as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman and that the actor would be appearing onstage at D23. The annual event came and went without an appearance from Comer or any other performer linked to the film's cast. In February, Shakman was spotted in a meeting with Mila Kunis, fueling rumors of her casting in the role. Around the same time, Sneider claimed that Marvel was basing their casting of Sue Storm on Madame Web star Dakota Johnson. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Rachel Brosnahan has also been tied to the role.

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Word on actors circling Johnny Storm/The Human Torch has remained comparatively cool, though reports in December 2022 suggested that Elvis' Austin Butler was lobbying for the part. Ryan Gosling has also been linked to the project in an unspecified role. Shakman has since responded to the growing number of names supposedly connected to his upcoming film. "All the casting stuff you see is just rumors," he said. "We are early in our process there. We have nothing to announce right now, and certainly, when we do we'll let you know."

Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four will start shooting in early 2024, with a planned release date of Feb. 14, 2025.

Source: The Hot Mic