I’m Glad The Thing’s Fantastic Four Movie Story Didn’t Use One Deleted Scene

The Fantastic Four: First Steps almost included one scene that would have completely changed The Thing’s story in his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut. With the arrival of Marvel’s First Family, the MCU had a huge challenge adapting some of the most important and recognizable figures from the comics.

Fortunately, director Matt Shakman was clearly the right man for the job, as these heroes feel more complete and robust than any previous versions to appear in live-action. However, while the theatrical release gives these heroes a strong sense of idenтιтy, things could have been different.

The Thing’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps Deleted Dating Scene

Ben Grimm The Thing looks at a group of fans while dressed in a shirt and baseball cap

At one point, late in the production of the film, The Thing’s story featured a now deleted scene where Ben Grimm is a contestant on a dating show. This scene is incredibly brief at a little over 20 seconds, which suggests it may have appeared in a montage introducing the characters.

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However, the scene was cut from the film after being recorded. It looks slightly rough around the edges, with the practical Thing suit on full display, but it’s clear that this scene didn’t make it to receive full CGI enhancements.

Having The Thing’s Dating Show Scene In The Fantastic Four: First Steps Would’ve Undermined A Different Story

Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm as the Thing in The Fantastic Four First Steps trailer holding one hand up

As brief as the scene is, and as much as it barely reveals anything about The Thing, it does change the context of another important detail in the film. With the heroes four years into their public lives, it seems that Ben is coming to terms with his new look.

With his physical transformation, Ben appears to have had the most mixed responses, and a greater impact on his personal life. However, Ben has embraced his idenтιтy and his new look, which helped him to embrace a connection with Rachel Rozman when the two spark a connection after meeting on the streets of New York.

The chemistry between the two is electric from the first moment they share the screen, and Ben’s confidence combined with Rachel’s complete lack of concern about his looks makes this moment incredibly charming.

However, by including a scene like the above, where Ben is looking for love by any means necessary, it may have tainted this connection and shifted the focus from his newfound confidence and the spark with Rachel, to Ben broadly looking for romance.

Ultimately, the way Ben and Rachel’s mutual interest plays out in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the perfect balance of not rushing things, and showing that Ben Grimm is ready to embrace romance, but this might not have come across as well if the dating show scene was left in the final cut.