Fantastic Four: Director Reveals How Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm is Different From Chris Evans’ Human Torch

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In a fresh and innovative take, Marvel Studios’ forthcoming feature film titled “Fantastic Four: First Footsteps” will reintroduce the iconic superhero squad. This movie is set in an entirely different 1960s universe, distinct from Earth-616.

In a departure from past portrayals of the Fantastic Four characters, director Matt Shakman is exploring innovative reinventions of their stories, introducing intricate layers to the superhero personas embodied by Joseph Quinn and Vanessa Kirby.

Chris Evans ignited the ‘heat’ as the Human Torch/Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four (2005), playing a charismatic yet reckless superhero who, despite his flaws, manages to accomplish tasks. However, he often stumbles before succeeding and takes a laid-back approach to it all. Evans later made a brief appearance as the character in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Matt Shakman expressed his fascination with envisioning the Fantastic Four as astronauts. Instead of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin being the pioneers who first walked on the moon, he imagined it could have been Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben who were the first to venture into space, breaking those cosmic barriers first.

In a recent statement, actor Michael Quinn, known for playing Johnny Storm, asserts that the Human Torch character will now align with modern sensibilities. Gone are the days of the boisterous, womanizing, insensitive Johnny Storm. Instead, audiences can expect a more empathetic and intelligent Johnny who retains his humor and confidence while showing greater consideration towards others’ feelings.

In simpler terms, Quinn stated, “[Storm] was often portrayed as a carefree, womanizing man, but isn’t that image appealing nowadays? I doubt it. Instead, the new version of Johnny appears to be more considerate towards others’ feelings, and perhaps there’s an awareness developing within him about his attention-grabbing actions.

Shakman has emphasized that Johnny isn’t just amusing or a source of comic relief in the storyline; instead, he highlighted Johnny’s intelligence. The director pointed out that Johnny is on that spaceship for a purpose and often, people overlook this aspect in comedic tales. He noted that despite his humor undermining his heroism at every turn, Johnny has been one of the most courageous characters in these stories. Furthermore, he mentioned that Johnny is Sue’s brother, which suggests they share similar qualities.

During this interim period, Sue Storm undergoes a significant transformation. In the portrayal by Venessa Kirby, the Invisible Woman is not just a superheroine; she’s also instrumental in fostering peace and demonstrates remarkable emotional intelligence. The upcoming film will also shed light on Sue’s role as a mother, a subject seldom addressed in superhero movies.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters on July 25, 2025.

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2025-04-11 13:37