The Fantastic Four movie’s mistakes worried him

Paul Walter Hauser

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It’s not lost on Paul Walter Hauser that previous cinematic representations of the Fantastic Four haven’t exactly set the world on fire.

During a conversation with Hollywood Reporterthe in-demand actor reveals that the poorly received cinematic adaptations of Marvel’s superhero team made him think more before joining director Matt Shakman’s Disney film, which is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. Hauser, who recently received an Emmy Award About his movie playing a role blackbirdwill play an as-yet-undisclosed role in the project that stars Pedro Pascal (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss Bachrach (The Thing).

“I don’t think it didn’t weigh as I was deciding whether or not to take the job,” Hauser says of the hotel’s checkered Hollywood past. “This film has not been fully installed yet.”

He continues, “But I really think that the combination of the script and the department heads working on the movie, and the really great cast — some of whom have been known for a long time, some of whom are having a moment now — (made me feel like) this movie was special, and it was something I wanted to be a part of.”

Following the Roger Corman-produced, never-released low-budget version in 1994, the Fantastic Four hit the big screen with director Tim Story’s 2005 film starring Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, and Michael Chiklis as the titular crew. Although the film’s box office success led to a sequel in 2007, the title was not a critical favorite and holds a 28 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The property was later rebooted for the 2015 Josh Trank film starring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell. This version was less successful than the 2005 version, failing at the box office and receiving only a 9 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Hauser explains that he and Shakman (WandaVision) They meet for dinner to discuss the actor joining the team. “Matt Shakman has mentored me for years It’s always sunny in PhiladelphiaHauser says. “Getting back together and collaborating on this movie in some capacity is really exciting. I’m excited to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The actor spoke to THR Ahead of his big bout with Major League Wrestling’s Battle Riot VI on Saturday in Atlanta, where he will compete against 40 opponents for a shot at the MLW World Heavyweight Title. Hauser, a lifelong wrestling fan who first stepped into the ring for a charity event in November, hopes to find time in his busy schedule to balance future matches along with acting gigs like next year’s show. Naked gun The upcoming reboot and biopic is directed by Josh Gad Saturday Night Live Legend Chris Farley.

“Wrestling really suits me as much as I love it, and I’m finding ways to work it into my schedule,” Hauser says. “Obviously I don’t want to be wrestling in front of 30 people in a gym, and I know a lot of people will hear that quote and say, ‘You’re not a real wrestler.’ But there’s only so many hours in the day, and I’m a very busy guy. So something Like Battle Riot for MLW is very exciting for me.