Adam Driver Joining Marvel As The World’s Greatest Genius?
Adam Driver is rumored to be joining Marvel in The Fantastic Four, as the Reed Richards of the main universe, taking over the role from John Krasinski's one movie cameo.
A new Fantastic Four rumor is circling the internet, but it may not be as big of a stretch as it seems. According to The Direct, industry insiders have indicated that Adam Driver may be the frontrunner to play the smartest man alive, Reed Richards, in the upcoming Marvel film. This comes after rumors that Driver may be in talks to take on the film’s villain role as the power-mad Doctor Doom.
The role of Reed Richards has been a subject of intense speculation for many months. Since John Krasinski’s fan service appearance as Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, the actor has indicated that he will likely not be returning to the role as the main timeline MCU’s iteration of the character. Dev Patel and Andor’s Diego Luna have also been rumored to be in talks for the part, and now, it seems Adam Driver may have joined them at the top of Marvel’s list.
Since his appearance as the villainous Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, Adam Driver has become one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood. The Academy Award-nominee bounces between big budget blockbusters like Star Wars and the upcoming 65, to arthouse projects like Annette and The Dead Don’t Die. It seems that Adam Driver may now have his sights set on Marvel.
The Fantastic Four rumor mill is a shifty place, but the project is full steam ahead with a release date set for Valentine’s Day in 2025. That will put the film beginning production later this year or early in the next, so with or without Adam Driver, casting choices for the hotly anticipated Marvel movie are likely to come sooner than later. The film will be helmed by WandaVision director Matt Shakman, while writers Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer are hard at work on the screenplay.
Looking ahead at Adam Driver’s schedule, it seems the actor’s calendar may be clear enough to accommodate a commitment to the Marvel franchise. Driver has a lot coming up, but 65 and Ferrari, a biopic about Italian race car driver Enzo Ferrari, are wrapped, while the Franics Ford Coppola epic Megalopolis is set to conclude filming early this year. After that, Adam Driver has no projects booked (as far as the public knows), which may make the choice for Marvel that much easier.
Reed Richards and Doctor Doom are opposites in terms of demeanor and ambition; one is a humble servant to humankind, the other a megalomaniac intent on ruling the world. Adam Driver has proven his talent and diversity time and time again, showing off comedic chops in Logan Lucky, a heroic streak in BlacKkKlansman, and a dark side in Star Wars. Whether Adam Driver is cast as Reed Richards or Doctor Doom, Marvel can be confident that the actor can pull off either with convincing depth and gravitas.
An Adam Driver appearance in a Marvel film would be an exciting time for fans, but there are many great actors rumored for roles in Fantastic Four. Not everyone will get the part, but if Marvel ever has any doubt, they can fall back on this fact: Adam Driver can certainly play a villain in a metal mask.
