John Malkovich to Play Ivan Kragoff in Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps will feature a genius supervillain for the F4 team to face off against, as confirmed by Murphy’s Multiverse.

According to the source, John Malkovich, who is cast in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, will play the role of Ivan Kragoff, a.k.a. the Red Ghost.

Who is Ivan Kragoff in Marvel Comics?

In Marvel Comics, Ivan Kragoff—a.k.a. the Red Ghost—is a Soviet scientist and supervillain who often clashes with the Fantastic Four. He is known for his intelligence, scientific expertise, and his peculiar team of super-powered primates. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Kragoff first appeared in Fantastic Four #13 in 1963.

Kragoff gained his powers through exposure to cosmic rays. His primate team includes a gorilla with super strength, a baboon that can shape-shift, and an orangutan with magnetic abilities. He has faced the Fantastic Four multiple times, typically motivated by jealousy, rivalry, and his Cold War mindset.

Directed by Matt Shakman from the original script penned by Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, which has undergone a rewrite by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. In the film, Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. Julia Garner is set to portray a female Silver Surfer, with Paul Walter Hauser and Malkovich. Additionally, characters yet to be cast include Mole Man and H.E.R.B.I.E.

Filming in the U.K. has been completed, and the second schedule is set to begin in Spain in mid-November. As we previously reported, the cast will be shooting at the Calatrava in Oviedo, which will serve as the UN headquarters in the film.

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

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