In the Spring, rumors were swirling that Adam Driver had accepted Disney’s offer to play Reed Richards in “Fantastic Four.” It turns out he was indeed offered the role, but he rejected the offer.
In the latest episode of the The Hot Mic podcast, Jeff Sneider mentions that, according to his source at Marvel, Driver had a lot of doubts about the role. Sneider added ..
They did send the script to Adam Driver some time ago, but he couldn't connect with the character. The script did not speak to him. So this idea [of him being cast] died very quickly.
Sneider did point out that there is still the possibility for Marvel to send Adam Driver a new script of the film, currently being written by Josh Friedman.
Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four’ was supposed to start shooting next January. It’s since been delayed. There’s been an inordinate amount of rumors as to who has been cast in the film: Driver, Margot Robbie, Jodie Comer, Antonio Banderas, Vanessa Kirby … Only Kirby seems to be a possibility at this point.
Driver tends to choose projects based on whoever is directing it, he has worked with Martin Scorsese, Joel Coen, Noah Baumbach, Jim Jarmusch, Clint Eastwood, Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, Steven Soderbergh, Michael Mann, Leos Carax, Francis Ford Coppola Ridley Scott and Terry Gilliam.
He sure picks ‘em right. How did this happen? Well, for starters, Driver is no slouch to acting, he graduated from Julliard, one of the most prestigious acting schools in the world. A certain Martin Scorsese also happened to call him “the greatest actor of his generation.” That’s debatable.
I like Driver a lot, I think he’s a strong actor, but it’s surprising to think that he would have had any interest in playing Reed Richards.
‘Fantastic Four’ is scheduled to launch phase 6 of the MCU on May 2, 2025.
Netflix and Skydance Animation have also called it quits. The two sides announced Monday that they're ending the animated film deal struck back in 2023, framing it as a mutual decision.