From the whimsical adventures of the TARDIS in Doctor Who to the regal halls of Buckingham Palace in The Crown, Matt Smith’s acting range is as vast as the universe itself. Given this, it makes sense why he’s been consistently linked to rumors of joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it seems like this possibility isn’t a stretch.
Less than a month ago, reports from Hollywood insiders suggested that the English actor was being considered for the role of Mr. Fantastic, with some even claiming that he had already been offered the role.
The Fantastic Four role has been associated with a lot of names, such as Dev Patel, Tom Ellis, and even Jack Quaid (though the latter turned out to be a typo), but the most consistently recurring names have been Adam Driver and Matt Smith.
However, the Marvel fandom’s reliable leaker Daniel Richtman still maintains that Matt Smith is the top pick for Marvel Studios, having reported the same via Patreon a month ago. So, what do we make of all this?
First off, Matt Smith as Reed Richards? It’s definitely a dream casting for many fans of the actor. Smith has the acting chops, the sci-fi experience, and, let’s face it, the hair to pull off the role. But, as with all casting rumors, we should take this with a grain of salt.
Last I heard it was still Matt Smith 🤷♂️
— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) September 9, 2023
Smith has consistently delivered nuanced and captivating performances, ranging from his iconic role as the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who through Prince Philip in The Crown to Daemon Targaryen in HBO’s prequel, House of the Dragon.
Even in the blood-sucking bust that was Morbius – no matter how many Redditors post about Morbillion dollars – Smith’s portrayal of Milo stood out, bringing charm and humor to an otherwise bleak script that felt like it was written during a caffeine-induced haze.
It’s also worth noting that the big screen track record with the Fantastic Four has been… well, less than fantastic. Many of us can agree that the earlier Fox films really hit the mark when it came to casting, with Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis embodying Marvel’s first family.
Unfortunately, when it came to the latest solo outing of the team, they couldn’t quite replicate that level of success. Regardless, let’s give credit where it’s due: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell are all incredibly talented actors. While 2015’s Fantastic Four isn’t part of the MCU, the team has already appeared in a limited, multiversal manner in the ongoing continuity.
The MCU’s Fantastic Four is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films in Phase Six. With production set to kick off in January 2024 (if the actors and writers’ strikes are resolved), we’re all eagerly waiting for the official cast reveal. Until then, let’s indulge in harmless speculation, because isn’t that half the fun?
So, what do you think? Is Matt Smith the right fit for Reed Richards? Or do you have another actor in mind? And while we’re at it, who would you cast for the rest of the Fantastic team? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
