Red Ghost recast in Fantastic Four: First Steps

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will bring several major characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but director Matt Shakman confirms John Malkovich's Red Ghost won't be among them.

Details about Malkovich's removal emerged during Shakman's interview with Variety prior to the film's release this month. The director explained that scenes featuring Malkovich's villain were among many that "didn't make the final cut."

"When crafting this '60s retro-future world while introducing multiple villains, establishing our four leads both individually and as a team, and incorporating a child character - we simply had to make tough choices in shaping the final film," Shakman explained.

While Malkovich's role as Red Ghost had been speculated about for months, his appearance wasn't completely secret. The teaser trailer in February showed him with long white hair and a wild beard, though his absence from subsequent marketing fueled speculation about his removal - now confirmed.

"Excluding him from the final version was heartbreaking because he's both an incredible inspiration and one of my favorite people," Shakman added. "As someone who bridges theater, film, and television, no one embodies this more impressively than the founder of Steppenwolf Theater Company. His acting and directing work across all mediums is extraordinary - I was deeply honored to have him involved."

The director revealed audiences would have seen Malkovich during a sequence exploring the Fantastic Four's early days, specifically battling Red Ghost and his Super-Apes. While Shakman praised Malkovich's performance as "brilliant," it remains uncertain if this footage will ever surface.

Releasing July 25, 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. The cast also includes Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson, Sarah Niles, Natasha Lyonne, and Paul Walter Hauser.

For more Marvel updates, read why Jon Watts left this project early or explore details about Sam Raimi's unmade Spider-Man 4, which would have also featured Malkovich as a classic villain.