Marvel Studios is currently in the process of casting its upcoming film adaptation of its iconic comic book superhero team, Fantastic Four, for Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Amidst the casting, reports have emerged that Emma Stone nearly signed on to play the role of Sue Storm in the property’s third big screen adaptation in the past two decades.
However, on The Hot Mic Podcast, insider Jeff Sneider shared that Deadline reporter Justin Kroll has revealed that Marvel Studios’ deal with the Cruella star has fallen through. Stone was the company’s first choice to pay Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman in the upcoming movie. Disney views Sue Storm as the standout character of the next installment of the Fantastic Four film series, and therefore wants an A-list actress, like the Oscar winner, to play her.
“I’m told that they went to Emma Stone, and for 72 hours, Emma Stone was looking like Sue Storm,” Sneider stated. “We’ll see if Sue Storm ends up being a true movie star role, or someone who they go to for a rising star role which is probably where it’s head(ed).”
Sneider also noted that since Stone “knows her worth,” she was looking to be paid $20 million for the role. However, Marvel dosen’t want to pay that amount of money to one performer for the ensemble superhero movie; instead, it wants to ensure there’s enough money “for the rest of the team.” With the La La Land star no longer in the running to play Sue Storm following the pay dispute, two-time Academy Award-nominated actress Margot Robbie is reportedly now being considered for the lead female role in Fantastic Four.
The Deadline reporter also shared that Robbie’s fellow two-time Oscar nominee, Adam Driver, is being considered to play Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, as he’s not on Stone’s pay level. The casting consideration of the Golden Globe-nominated actor supports the idea that Marvel is aiming to more evenly spread out the salaries for the ensemble cast of the titular team.
Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four will be directed by WandaVision helmer Matt Shakman. Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts was originally slated to helm the project, but decided to drop out in order to take a break from the superhero genre. The script for the upcoming film is being rewritten by Josh Friedman, and is based on a draft from Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer. The forthcoming reboot is set to be released on February 14, 2025.
The Fantastic Four comic debuted in 1961, after being created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It was the first superhero team title produced by Marvel Comics, and also popularized famous characters like Sue Storm, Mr. Fantastic and Doctor Doom.
Sue Storm was seen in the previous iterations of the Fantastic Four movies. Jessica Alba played the role in the 2005 film and its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Kate Mara took over the role in the 2015 adaptation. All three movies weren’t critically or commercially acclaimed when they were released by 20th Century Fox.
The studio was later acquired by the Walt Disney Company in December 2017. The latter company then announced its plan to integrate the Fantastic Four series into the MCU.