John Malkovich has been removed from the cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a highly anticipated addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The 71-year-old actor was set to portray the villain Ivan Kragoff, also known as the Red Ghost, but his scenes were ultimately cut from the final version of the film. Director Matt Shakman cited narrative coherence as the reason for this decision.
In an interview with Variety, Shakman elaborated, “There were a lot of things that ultimately ended up hitting the cutting room floor.” He explained that crafting a 1960s retro-future world while introducing multiple villains and developing the main characters proved to be a challenging balancing act. “Some things had to go ultimately in terms of shaping the film for its final version.”
Shakman and Malkovich share a working history, having collaborated on the director’s first feature, Cut Bank, in 2014. Reflecting on the decision to exclude Malkovich, Shakman expressed his regret, saying, “It was heartbreaking not to include him in the final version of the movie because he’s one of my very favourite humans and one of my biggest inspirations.” He noted Malkovich’s significant contributions to both theatre and film, calling him an inspiring figure in the industry.
Earlier this year, Malkovich revealed that he had declined several Marvel roles in the past due to unsatisfactory contract terms. In an interview with GQ, he stated, “The reason I didn’t do them had nothing to do with any artistic considerations whatsoever. I didn’t like the deals they made, at all.” Malkovich emphasized the demanding nature of these productions, remarking, “If you’re going to hang from a crane in front of a green screen for six months, pay me.”
Despite the challenges, Malkovich found similarities between working on a Marvel film and performing on stage. “It’s not that dissimilar to doing theatre,” he explained. “You imagine a bunch of stuff that isn’t there and do your little play.”
Malkovich also discussed the rigorous demands of voicing the character of Dr. Octavius Brine in the 2014 animated film Penguins of Madagascar. He described the experience as one of the toughest in his career, stating, “I must have recorded the entire thing, every line; at least a thousand variations of every line.” He found it puzzling that the creators did not explore different lines more often.
The latest news regarding Malkovich’s exclusion from The Fantastic Four: First Steps highlights the complexities and tough decisions that directors must navigate during the filmmaking process, especially in a project as ambitious as this one. The film features a notable cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, who are set to portray the heroic ensemble.
