Former Reed Richards actor Ioan Gruffudd shares his thoughts on The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Phase 6 provides the MCU with a new Reed Richards, a new Sue Storm, a new Johnny Storm, and a new Ben Grimm. After their debut movie, the MCU’s Fantastic Four will likely be recurring heroes in the franchise.

On Threads, the 2005 Fantastic Four Reed Richards actor Ioan Gruffudd praised Marvel Studios for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Gruffudd describes Matt Shakman’s reboot as “a superb homage to the original comics from the sixties.” He also shares pH๏τos from the world premiere, which former Silver Surfer actor Doug Jones also attended. Read Ioan Gruffudd’s full comments below:

“Thank you @marvel for a wonderful evening at the world premiere of @fantasticfour: First Steps.
Marvel’s first family is alive and well and in safe hands. A superb homage to the original comics from the sixties. Acting, production & costume design, score and visual effects are out of this world!
Always a pleasure to catch up with a member of my Fan4 family @actordougjones and his lovely wife Laurie too!
To all the fans of this beloved franchise – Enjoy! 4️⃣💙”

What Ioan Gruffudd’s Fantastic Four: First Steps Review Means

Marvel Studios Respects The Past While Building A New Fantastic Four For The Future

Ioan Gruffudd’s praise for The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a welcome nod of approval from an actor who helped define the Fantastic Four for a generation. Gruffudd’s portrayal of Reed Richards in Tim Story’s 2005 Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was memorable despite both movies’ flaws. Marvel Studios has honored the legacy of previous adaptations while bringing something fresh.

Gruffudd’s comments align with a broader trend of goodwill from past Fantastic Four stars. Chris Evans’ surprise return as Johnny Storm in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine thrilled fans of the two-thousands’ Fantastic Four movies, and Michael Chiklis has remained vocal on social media about his appreciation for the Thing. Twenty years later, the Fantastic Four are a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Our Take On Ioan Gruffudd’s Fantastic Four: First Steps Review

Ioan Gruffudd’s Return As Mister Fantastic Is Still Possible

Ioan Gruffudd’s Reed Richards could eventually meet Pedro Pascal’s in any of Marvel’s established live-action timelines. The MCU has already set the precedent for multiple versions of Reed Richards in the multiverse. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduced John Krasinski’s Earth-838 Mister Fantastic, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps teased Reed’s theories of multiversal travel.

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine went one step forward and brought back Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm. While Evans’ Human Torch died in record time, his fellow Fantastic Four heroes could appear in upcoming multiversal movies like Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars. Having lost his friend, Ioan Gruffudd’s Mister Fantastic could try to exact revenge for the death of his brother-in-law.

Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards will likely be a key figure in the battle against Doctor Doom. Perhaps after The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday, Pascal’s Reed Richards could take a page from the comics and create or meet a multiversal Council of Reeds. In this scenario, Pascal’s Mister Fantastic could team up with Ioan Gruffudd’s and Miles Teller’s.

Source: Ioan Gruffudd / Threads