Fantastic four: fans defend Marvel's First Family movie reportedly focusing on Sue Storm as lead, pushback against M

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While Fantastic Four has for the most part shown Reed Richards as the lead, it appears Sue Storm will be the main protagonist, possibly even the leader bringing Marvel’s first family together in MCU’s live-action ensemble, according to a new report. Sadly, the claim has Matt Shakman‘s film being bombarded with criticism calling it the M-she-U effect, a term used to mock the studio for prioritizing female superheroes over male characters.

Marvel Studios is currently not engaged in any negotiations with actors for Fantastic Four due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, barring studios under AMPTP and union members from participating in the process. But news broke on Wednesday, August 2, that Marvel reportedly offered Matt Smith the role of Reed Richards after Adam Driver turned down the offer.

With all eyes on the Fantastic Four’s casting developments, fans were surprisingly treated with another scoop from insider DaneilRPK. He reports that Sue Storm will be the lead in Fantastic Four – serving as a confirmation to previous reports that Marvel was prioritizing casting the Invisible Woman role and then “build the rest of the team around her”.

If true, that explains why Marvel has sought out A-listers like Margot Robbie and growing talent in the industry such as Vanessa Kirby. Unfortunately, It’s already prompted concern among some that F4 would focus on Sue Storm rather than balance the spotlight throughout the team- similar to their past ensemble flicks like The Avengers.

M-SHE-U back at it again https://t.co/flegmtMXv9

— T'Challa Fan (@2TChalla2Stan) August 2, 2023

Shouldn’t a movie about the fantastic four have all four members as the leads rather than one character being the lead https://t.co/gemtm9ZbmF

— Daredevil✝️ (@maaz_riasat) August 2, 2023

The M-SHE-U is strong with this one https://t.co/f1Dkib31vh

— Endymion (@EndymionYT) August 2, 2023

I don't want a another terrible Fantastic Four film. But with @MarvelStudios's obsession with the M-she-U (female leads in other films), will just bomb. Please Kevin, stop treating men like shit https://t.co/jTHdvyzPot

— Smith & Company Creations (supersmith2500) 🇺🇦 (@supersmith2500) August 3, 2023

This is going to get taken the wrong way and weaponized by the "M-She-U" crowd… I think this means she'll be the driving force of the narrative, but not the girlboss leader of the team… Thoughts? https://t.co/YHnqe6QKKY

— Josh (@TheDenofNerds) August 2, 2023

Imagine if it’s 838 newly single mother Sue 💀 https://t.co/PdgQxRjnV0

— Heavy Spoilers (@heavyspoilers) August 2, 2023

BECAUSE SHE’S THE LEADER OF THE F4 IKTFR!!!!!!! https://t.co/QXXGDVQ4dc pic.twitter.com/o0e8GkqeBt

— Ty ➃ (@ClobberinTyme) August 2, 2023

I love the M-she-U 🙇🏽‍♂️🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/BuZwbAxGbu

— 🎇ENTITY in BLACK⬛️ (@DRKToss) August 2, 2023

I'm down for it https://t.co/cWGYg8tuQt

— Shin Kamen Rider is Peak (@GenryusaiRider) August 3, 2023

I adore the m-she-u actually https://t.co/SW2GW5qqIf

— ‎ ً (@HailEternal) August 2, 2023

Oh boy the MSheU claims gon be rampant as ever. https://t.co/Z14zEeotCl

— Superwise (@SuperwiseJohn) August 2, 2023

M SHE U SUPREMACY BABYYYYYY https://t.co/csgKIiM5Cr

— Spira 💚 (@SpiratedAway) August 2, 2023

Supporters quickly pushed back against the detractive statements by reminding that Marvel Comics has put Sue Storm front and center as the Fantastic Four’s leader. In issue #5 by Ryan North and Ivan Fiorelli – Sue is directly called “boss” by Ben.

On a light-hearted note, Some also came up with fascinating theories like @heavyspoilers “Imagine if it’s 838 newly single mother Sue”. Readers would remember Earth-838’s Reed Richards was spaghetti-filed by Wanda in Doctor Strange 2. However, the MCU is currently focused on establishing the main timeline of Earth-616.

If Sue Storm is indeed the titular character – Reed Richards’ casting may not finalize until Marvel finds the right pick. Nonetheless, the rumor surrounding Matt Smith may have some weight since Streamr’s request for clarification was instead told “No comment” instead of denying the report or a confirmation.

Insider MTTSH offers hope for Adam Driver fans stating “I hear they’ll try Driver again so Smith isn’t a done deal just another offer.” But scooper Jeff Sneider says, “They did send the script to Adam Driver some time ago, but he couldn’t connect with the character. The script did not speak to him. So this idea [of him being cast] died very quickly.”

I hear they'll try Driver again so Smith isn't a done deal just another offer. https://t.co/7n8oL7mu9k

— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) August 2, 2023

About this…

We again reached out today and, instead of a confirmation or flat out denial as was previously made, we were told, “No comment,” on whether Matt Smith was cast in the upcoming ‘FANTASTIC FOUR’ movie. https://t.co/6IypDuKLTJ

— Streamr Entertainment (@StreamrEnt) August 2, 2023

Mother taking the lead as she should be https://t.co/DlUnIMX4Ib

— Reed’s Council 4️⃣ (@reedscouncil) August 2, 2023

Sue Storm is maybe my favorite female hero of all time and maybe my favorite member of the F4, so I’m not complaining about this. https://t.co/dLpbBzexuv

— SD Supports the WGA & SAG (@Spider_Devil7) August 3, 2023

I'm hoping this is true would be nice to have Sue as lead here https://t.co/O086hfvjtc

— Impulse (@Impulse785) August 2, 2023

FUCK YESSSSS

(i say having read maybe 10 total issues of the fantastic four) https://t.co/ZT9dkP4jrw

— Lord Starbolt (Δαβιδ) ⚡️ (@Starbolt76) August 3, 2023

Why am I seeing some people upset that Sue Storm – the leader of the Fantastic Four – will be the lead of their first film?

Its almost as if they don't read comics and have no idea what they're talking about 🤭 pic.twitter.com/PoDsedlobt

— Crimzin (@Crimzin15) August 3, 2023

Marvel’s casting for F4 has long dragged out and the Actors Strike has potentially delayed it further since negotiations with earlier actors fell apart. Nonetheless, there is still hope to see Robbie portray Sue Storm since Mila Kunis denied engaging in the auditions.

Fantastic Four is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 2, 2025.

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