Ebon Moss-Bachrach on Working with Robert Downey Jr. for The Fantastic Four: First Steps: “Yeah, We Live Together Now”

Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is releasing this year. Fans are questioning whether Robert Downey Jr.‘s Doctor Doom is appearing in the film. When Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Ben Grimm/The Thing in the movie, was asked about this, he joked in his response.

During an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Moss-Bachrach was asked if he filmed scenes with Downey Jr. for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He said, “Yeah, we live together now.”

Moss-Bachrach refused to answer when asked about Robert Downey Jr.’s potential role in the Fantastic Four reboot movie.

He said, “It’s not going to happen. I’ve been through rigorous media training…”

Moss-Bachrach says The Thing’s iconic “It’s Clobberin’ Time” line may be featured in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. “I slipped it in there a couple of times—I don’t have final cut—so we’ll see.”

Andy Serkis Helps with Motion-Capture for The Thing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Reveals Moss-Bachrach

Additionally, Andy Serkis helped with the motion-capture filming for The Thing in the movie, Moss-Bachrach revealed: “He was very generous.”

Filming recently wrapped in Spain, and the movie is now in the post-production stage. Matt Shakman directs the film from a script penned by Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, which has undergone a rewrite by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. The film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles.

Here’s the plot details for The Fantastic Four: First Steps:

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing—as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, things suddenly get very personal.

The film is produced by Kevin Feige, Grant Curtis, and Nick Pepin.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will hit theaters and IMAX on July 25, 2025.