Fantastic Four’s Joseph Quinn Talks Superhero Fatigue and Filling Chris Evans’s Shoes
Long before he won the hearts of fans everywhere as Captain America, Chris Evans took his first crack at playing a Marvel superhero as Johnny Storm in 2005’s The Fantastic Four.
While the movie was largely panned by critics, the film managed to be a box office hit, and Evans was praised for his turn as the brash young superhero.
Having grown up with Evans as the definitive live-action Johnny Storm, Joseph Quinn knows he has big shoes to fill as he assumes the role of the Human Torch for next year’s Fantastic Four.
Photo: 20th Century Fox
“I remember really enjoying Chris Evans’s performance as Johnny in the previous films, and it felt like this would be a really exciting opportunity; I was absolutely signed up,” says the actor.
A New Take on the Character
While he is an admitted fan of Evan’s performance, Quinn clarifies that he is ready to take the character in a different direction.
Photo: Marvel
“No. I mean, you’re going to make it your own.” Still, he adds, “It’s big boots [to fill].”
In the upcoming MCU film, Quinn will be joined by Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Girl), and Ebon Moss-Bachrac (Ben Grimm/The Thing). The actor sounds excited.
Photo: Also Marvel
“Working with Vanessa, Pedro, Ebon — they’re really consummate pros and brilliant in everything they’re in,” he says. “So I’m really looking forward to establishing this familial dynamic with them and with Matt Shakman’s guidance.”
Fending Off Superhero Fatigue
Following last year’s disappointing reception to both Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels, Marvel is hoping to fend off the dreaded “superhero fatigue.” Quinn, for one, is not worried.
Photo: IMDB
“There are aspects of it that are very different to other Marvel films. That felt very compelling to me. And again, going back to who’s involved, Matt, of course, the director, I think is brilliant, and the cast, and I’ve read it and the script is brilliant. It’s really brilliant. I’m delighted to have this opportunity,” he explained.
“Superhero movies are movies about people. And if we’re invested in the people and the characters and the peril and the spectacle, then that’s why people go to the theaters to watch films. We’re not just in a penny; we’re in for a pound with this one. We’re going to go for it.”
The Fantastic Four. Photo: Also Marvel
The Fantastic Four will hit theaters on July 25, 2025.
