For what feels like forever, fans have clamored for John Krasinski to play Reed Richards in the MCU. Perhaps Krasinski's physical appearance lends itself well to the classic look of the brilliant scientist. Maybe his memorable performances in The Office and A Quiet Place have endeared him to the viewing audience. And it certainly doesn't hurt that he's married to fellow acting great Emily Blunt, who might as well be a shoo-in to play Sue Richards.
So will we see Krasinski's face emerge from the shadows when the Illuminati are unveiled in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? The correct answer is: it's still a toss-up. While Krasinski is a strong contender for the role, there are several actors who can play Reed in Multiverse of Madness and beyond. After all, Marvel Studios doesn't make a lot of casting mistakes, so in actuality, there are so many possibilities when it comes to the MCU's Mr. Fantastic.
Joaquin Phoenix: Fantastic Depth
How about a performer who's already brought home an Oscar for Best Actor? Joaquin Phoenix certainly has a resume that will catch Kevin Feige's attention. Phoenix is no stranger to comic book films, either; as a matter of fact, he got the Academy's honor after his breathless performance in 2019's Joker.
No matter what characterization of Reed Richards will be asked of him—super genius, strong leader, or caring father—Phoenix would make his mark, guaranteed. The Mr. Fantastic character carries so much weight in Marvel lore, and as such, it's a no-brainer for Marvel to tap a master thespian who could play Reed with unquestionable credibility.
Andrew Lincoln: A Proven Franchise Player
Close your eyes and think of The Walking Dead. Chances are, the face of Andrew Lincoln popped up, front and center. In his eight-year stint on the hit AMC series, Lincoln led by example with his intense acting and dedication to the character of Rick Grimes. The fact that he never bagged an Emmy for this role is more haunting than the many dramatic deaths on the show.
Perhaps Marvel can help Lincoln remind the world just how gifted he is. Lincoln's presence among the ranks of the Illuminati would be simultaneously chilling and gratifying. Beyond Multiverse of Madness, Lincoln could be right at home if he became the face of the Fantastic Four franchise.
Matthew McConaughey: The Pinnacle Of Reinvention
Early on in Matthew McConaughey's career, he was a go-to guy for romantic and goofy roles. Movies like Dazed and Confused, The Wedding Planner, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days define this portion of his filmography. But, from the 2010s onward, McConaughey started thriving in more serious roles, with his audacious performance in 2013's Dallas Buyers Club as his crown jewel.
Could the epilogue of the McConaissance be written in the MCU? McConaughey seems to be so at ease with, well, everything, so a superhero turn should pose no problem to him. Here's the kicker: in the sci-fi classic Interstellar, he played a space-traveling father who was deeply concerned for the fate of humanity. Sound familiar?
Chris Pine: Joining The C-List
It's hard to believe that Marvel is done hoarding all the A-list Chrises. Surely there is a spot open for one Chris Pine, who looks perfectly at home in major fantasy franchises? His effortless performance as Captain Steve Trevor stood out in 2018's Wonder Woman, even as he shared the screen with Gal Gadot.
As far as reboots go, Pine's James T. Kirk was an integral part in 2009's Star Trek; in all likelihood, he will bring the same on-screen magic as Kevin Feige prepares his own take on The Fantastic Four. The internet would have a field day if Pine's Mr. Fantastic eventually shared the screen with Thor, Peter Quill, and (somehow, someway) Steve Rogers.
Timothee Chalamet: An Even Brighter Future
While middle-aged, fatherly performers fit the Reed Richards role nicely, Marvel can go another route by casting a younger actor whose best days are ahead of him. Enter Timothée Chalamet, one of Hollywood's fastest-rising stars. If his showing in 2021's Dune is any indication, Chalamet is primed to dominate global cinema over the next decade and beyond.
It's certainly worth mentioning that Chalamet is only 26? As was the case with Tom Holland, Marvel knows how to draft a prodigy or two before they truly peaked, and the results have spoken for themselves. Imagine Chalamet's fresh face stepping out of the darkness to chastise Doctor Strange in Multiverse of Madness. Fantastic!
Ryan Gosling: A Very Charming Reed, Indeed
Speaking of fresh, Ryan Gosling would be another candidate to play a clean-cut Mr. Fantastic. With his boy-next-door charisma, Gosling owns just about any scene that he's in. He has also shown his range in a variety of genres (including action, drama, and comedy), so he'd be ready to bring complexity to a Reed Richards arc.
Notably, his frequent on-screen partner Emma Stone is a multiversal crossover waiting to happen, as there is plenty of clamor for her Gwen Stacy to re-emerge as Spider-Gwen in the MCU. Given that Reed Richards himself is a prominent figure in the multiverse, wouldn't it be nice for Gosling and Stone to cross paths down the line?
Bryan Cranston: Don't Mess With This Dad, Ever
Despite his supremely analytical mind, Reed Richards has been known to have a mean streak every now and then. Mess with his family as Doctor Doom did in the 2015 event Secret Wars, and you get an enraged father with nothing to lose. If this arc—and Reed's prominent role—will carry over into the big screen, Bryan Cranston would be a perfect fit.
A TV and film veteran, Cranston has knocked it out of the park more times than anyone cares to count. But if he could only have one project as his calling card, it would have to be his tenure as Walter White in the critically acclaimed Breaking Bad. The lesson here is: if you need someone to play a genius who will go to any lengths to protect his family, call Cranston.
Daniel Craig: A Spy In The Illuminati
For the most part, Reed Richards is a cool customer whose approach to problems includes scientific analysis and negotiation with hostile forces. Who better to pull this off in the MCU than Agent 007 himself, Daniel Craig? After shutting up the critics during his tenure as James Bond, Craig is certainly welcome to jump from one mega-franchise to the other.
What would happen if Craig were to share the screen with fellow English actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Patrick Stewart in Multiverse of Madness? That scene would be tastier than two Vesper Martinis (shaken, not stirred).
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: A Heroic Reprise
As The Dark Knight Rises wrapped up Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, it planted the seeds for a new Caped Crusader in the franchise. In the closing shot, a wide-eyed Joseph Gordon-Levitt slowly ascended into the Batcave—and into his own cinematic blockbusters, perhaps.
Alas, no such superhero exploits have materialized in Gordon-Levitt's career thus far. But if he ever wanted to realize this unfulfilled potential, he would be a great pick to take on the role of Reed Richards. In his long, prolific run as an actor and director, the honor of being the MCU's Mr. Fantastic would be an apt addition.
Keanu Reeves: At Long Last
If you thought that John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are the two biggest subjects of MCU fan-casting over the years, think again. That distinction may just belong to the great Keanu Reeves. The man behind Neo and John Wick has been visualized in several major roles, including Adam Warlock, Namor, and The Silver Surfer.
Well, the Adam Warlock ship has sailed, the Namor role is rumored to have been taken, while there's no telling when The Silver Surfer will show up. The MCU faithful, of course, wants Keanu sooner than later. Is it possible that his talks with Kevin Feige late last year could result in a fantastic appearance in Multiverse of Madness? One thing's for sure: if Feige ever wanted to bring back those old nine-film contracts, Mr. Reeves should be first in line to get one.