Is This the First Look at Natasha Lyonne in Fantastic Four: First Steps?

Fans have known for a while who the main cast of Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot is, but there are still some characters that have yet to be revealed.

One particular cast member, Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face, Orange is the New Black, Russian Doll), has been cast in a mystery role, and while some fans have been speculating as to who her character is, a new photo with a Fantastic Four cast member may have confirmed who she could be playing.

Who is Natasha Lyonne Playing in Fantastic Four?

Lyonne had shared a photo of herself with Fantastic Four cast member Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Ben Grimm a.k.a. The Thing in the movie. Here’s the post (via @F4Update):

Lyonne doesn’t say anything specifically about the movie, but the photo could be giving us an idea of what she looks like in the film. Plus, the fact that she’s with Moss-Bachrach could mean that she’s a character that’s important to The Thing—which a lot of fans have already been guessing.

Is Lyonne Playing Alicia Masters?

In the comics, Ben Grimm dates a blind sculptor named Alicia Masters—which a lot of fans think is the character Lyonne will be playing in the movie. Masters doesn’t really have a main role in the original Fox films, but she was important enough to the character of Ben Grimm that she was cast and was played by Kerry Washington.

When it comes to Lyonne, it’s not hard to imagine that she’s a philosophical/quippy character who hangs out in the local art scene. With her signature New York accent, everyone is already guessing that she’s actually the one that gives the Thing his catchphrase—“It’s Clobberin’ Time.”

It’s also worth noting in the Fox movies, Masters meets the Thing after he turns into an orange rock person. With Lyonne and a regularly dressed Moss-Bachrach in the photo, it may not be surprising to think that this film will alter the origin so that Masters and Grimm were already dating before he gets into the accident that turns him into the Thing.

Who Else Could She be Playing?

Of course, there’s also the possibility that she could be playing someone else. The film still hasn’t revealed who is voicing the part of the robot HERBIE, which Lyonne could be a contender for. Then again, it would be odd for the MCU to cast a character actor like Lyonne and not have her play a character that resembles her very unique vibe.

Fingers are just crossed that Marvel Studios has finally learned its lesson when it comes to not wasting cast members. After all, the MCU is full of great actors who have been cast in downright forgettable roles. Mads Mikkelsen’s Kaecilius was so unremarkable that fans thought that they should just cast him as Doctor Doom despite the inconsistency. Randall Park is also wasted as a generic funny agent character Jimmy Woo.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theatres on July 25, 2025.

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