For the past several months, we've been hearing a lot of casting rumors for the MCU reboot of Fantastic Four as fans are anxiously waiting on who will take the mantle of the First Family when they finally join the franchise.
Recently, reports have claimed that Marvel Studios has already found its Sue Storm with The Crown star Vanessa Kirby while Stranger Things breakout Joseph Quinn is allegedly the top choice for Johnny Storm. Casting is still ongoing for the other two roles.
For Reed Richards, a lot of big-name actors have been attached to the rumor with various names such as Adam Driver and Matt Smith reportedly being approached by Marvel Studios to take on the role.
Nevertheless, it is looking like it is still miles away before an actor eventually signs on to play the MCU's Mister Fantastic.
Now, another new name has emerged in the Fantastic Four rumor mill and it is someone who has played a villain before in the MCU.
Jake Gyllenhaal is Now Rumored to Play Reed Richards in Fantastic Four
According to a scoop from insider @MyTimeToShineH on X, prior to the current actors' strike, Jake Gyllenhaal was offered by Marvel Studios to play Reed Richards in the MCU's Fantastic Four after Smith passed on the role.
So far, neither Marvel Studios nor Gyllenhaal's representative have commented on the rumor.
Considering that Gyllenhaal is already part of the MCU through the villainous Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far from Home, it is surprising to hear this rumor and the possibility that he is now the top choice by Marvel Studios to play the role.
If he ends up getting cast, it could cause some confusion amongst fans and the general audience since the MCU's Reed Richards will have the physical appearance of someone who has faced Spider-Man in the past.
It wouldn't be the first time that Marvel Studios will cast an actor for two separate roles in different projects as they did it before with Gemma Chan in Captain Marvel and Eternals and Michelle Yeoh in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
However, in the case of Chan, her character in Captain Marvel was in heavy makeup while she has a more normal human look in Eternals which makes it easier for them to separate the two characters despite being played by the same person.
That wouldn't happen for Reed Richards since the role does not require any heavy makeup and Gylleenhaal's past role as Mysterio already had a normal human look which would be difficult for them to distinguish the two if they proceed with his casting.
The only explanation is that perhaps they will establish that Fantastic Four is set in a different universe and the First Family will be integrated into the main MCU timeline by the end of Avengers: Secret Wars and reboot the universe.
Also Read: Deadpool 3 Reportedly Bringing Back X-Men Origins: Wolverine Villain
One thing's for sure it will cause a lot of confusion if we hear Gyllenhaal's name for Reed Richards when Marvel Studios officially announces the cast.
Fantastic Four is slated for release in theaters on May 2, 2025.
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