Yes, Marvel is again trying its hand at anotherFantastic Fourmovie despite never striking cinematic gold with their attempts. But fret not: third time’s the charm, as they say. Ever since theofficial title droppedat last year’s Comic-Con for yet another upcoming film iteration, fans seem to be stoked, especially given its wildly talented ensemble including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The film also starsPaul Walter Hauser(Black Bird, Cobra Kai), whose character hasn’t even been revealed yet. MovieWeb recently caught up with the Golden Globe winner while he was promoting his new film,The Luckiest Man in America, and the beloved actor took time to weigh in on his upcoming superhero movie as well.
“I don’t think I could have been asked to do a cooler Marvel movie,” Hauser told MovieWebaboutThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. “It had a chip on its shoulder and spirit going in, knowing there were a couple iterations that didn’t really work for most people. And I think Marvel is in a transitionary phase right now. I don’t think that’s some big secret, and I feel like this movie is going to be part of the success of that transition, and kind of ringing a bell for the transition.” Hauser continued in a way that sheds a lot of light on his character, and insinuates that he will sadly die in the film:
“I enjoyed playing the character, thought the writing was great. The cast felt really lovable and succinct. And more than anything, you know, I never know now… even if a character dies, they get brought back because of the quantum realm of all the things. So it’s like, you know, could my character come back? Definitely could, never say never with Marvel. But I selfishly would like to come back because I really love that cast and crew, and think it’s a big privilege to be in that world and know that there is such an emotional investment globally for those types of stories.”
Related:The Luckiest Man in America Review: Paul Walter Hauser Dazzles in Game Show Drama
“A Fun Time-Capsule Piece”
In the meantime, Hauser certainly steals the show as the eponymous antihero in a wildly entertaining new film calledThe Luckiest Man in America. “I’m excited to talk about this movie,” said Hauser while promoting it. “I think a lot of people hate to do press, but I always like it if I’m actually proud of the movie, how it’s turned out. This is one that I had fun making and feel good about.”
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Jacob Tremblay and Paul Walter Hauser praise screenwriter Charlie Kaufman’s adaptation of Emma Yarlett’s acclaimed children’s book.
His lively new drama is based on a true story, set in the ’80s around the throwback game showPress Your Luck, which once welcomed a con-artist (played to perfection by Hauser) who tried his hand at beating the system. Says Hauser:
“I’m really excited to give people a fun time-capsule piece. You know, this is the pre-cell phone world, the pre-internet world. This is very much, a lot of people were watching the show when it happened. You know, there weren’t as many distractions and choices back then. So this was a big story, and it still echoes in the thematic annals of history throughout the future because it’s talking about, you know, the American dream.”
From IFC Films,The Luckiest Man in Americawill be released in theaters on August 25, 2025, but you can see an early screening at The IFC Center in New York on April 1 with Hauser in attendance;find out more here.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
