‘Soak In The Moments’: Jessica Alba Shares Advice For Newcomer Vanessa Kirby As She Takes On Sue Storm Role For Fantastic Four

As a lifestyle expert with an extensive background in film and pop culture, I must say that the upcoming Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four reboot is shaping up to be quite the spectacle! With a new cast led by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, this revitalized version of the beloved superhero team promises to deliver cinematic excellence.


The acquisition of Fantastic Four characters by Marvel Studios, following Disney’s 2019 purchase of 20th Century Fox, has paved the way for cinematic greatness. Earlier, Fox retained exclusive rights over the Fantastic Four and X-Men characters. With Marvel Studios taking charge, they have announced a fresh Fantastic Four film with a new cast. Pedro Pascal will play Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Lately, Jessica Alba, the original Sue Storm actress, has given guidance to newcomer Vanessa Kirby.

Jessica Alba has some advice for Vanessa Kirby

In the initial Fantastic Four film series produced by 20th Century Fox, Jessica Alba portrayed her character across two movies: The Fantastic Four (released in 2005) and its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (in 2007). With the new Marvel adaptation of the Fantastic Four underway in the UK, Jessica Alba – a beloved figure from the franchise – offered valuable guidance to Vanessa Kirby, who steps into the role for the upcoming blockbuster.

In a conversation with Collider while discussing her new Roku series, Honest Renovations, Alba offered Kirby a straightforward piece of advice: “Just enjoy yourself.” She reminisced about her time as the Invisible Woman, stating it was “probably one of the most enjoyable periods” in her life.

As a fortunate actress who has portrayed a Marvel character, I can honestly say that there’s nothing more rewarding than connecting with fans worldwide. Meeting people who adore The Fantastic Four and these captivating comic books is truly a delight. It’s heartwarming to see how these stories resonate with them on a personal level.

The initial Fantastic Four film featuring Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis was a groundbreaking pre-Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie that laid the foundation for the modern superhero genre. The MCU started with the 2008 Iron Man movie, where Robert Downey Jr. portrayed the lead character.

2015 saw 20th Century Fox attempting a fresh take on these characters, featuring an entirely new cast. Kate Mara stepped into the role previously held by Alba, while her real-life partner Jamie Bell portrayed Ben Grimm. Michael B. Jordan was cast as the Human Torch and Miles Teller played Reed Richards. Regrettably, this film fell flat both critically and financially.

Vanessa Kirby shared her excitement after joining the MCU

Speaking of Kirby, she’s long been a highly demanded actress in Hollywood, boasting impressive roles such as Pieces of a Woman, Napoleon, and her iconic part in the Mission Impossible series. Previously, she expressed her feelings about assuming the role on her Instagram. “Extremely grateful to portray Sue Storm, Marvel’s first lady since 1961. I aim to do her proud,” was her caption when she posted Fantastic Four artwork.

At Comic-Con 2024, Kirby told The Hollywood Reporter that playing her first role in the MCU has been intense, yet she never felt fear because “we’re like a team, so we’re all navigating this journey together.”

She, too, recognized the affection the team of heroes was shown at Comic-Con, expressing “it’s wonderful to be together with everyone who cherishes them as much as we do.” The actress also pledged that this love and admiration would remain with her throughout her performance, ensuring she wouldn’t just be embarking on a solo acting journey but rather one shared by the entire team.

36-year-old actress expresses gratitude for being part of a lasting piece of popular culture represented by these characters, feeling incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to know her. Additionally, she finds it thrilling that the Marvel heroes are back and they get to create this film together now.

In my role as an ardent follower, I’m excited to share that Marvel Studios, while preparing for the Fantastic Four reboot within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), decided to reintroduce Reed Richards, and they chose John Krasinski to don the suit. This was hinted in his cameo appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Interestingly, Chris Evans, who had previously concluded his MCU journey with Avengers: Endgame, made a captivating and unforgettable cameo as the Human Torch in the latest MCU blockbuster, Deadpool & Wolverine.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is slated for release on July 25, 2025.

Read More

2024-08-27 16:53