A new storyboard for Reed Richards’ (Pedro Pascal) fight scene with Red Ghost’s apes in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is inspired by Alex Ross’ iconic comic book cover.
On Instagram, Jeremy Simser, storyboard artist for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has shared multiple images of Reed fighting the Red Ghost’s apes. See the images below.
He wrote, “As promised, here’s the second Alex Ross homage I snuck into my boards for Fantastic Four: First Steps. This time, from the (sadly) deleted Ape Fight I did for Act One. Enjoy!”
“Just a few frames from the deleted Red Ghost ape fight I drew for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. I really wish you all could see this scene in its entirety, but alas, it’s not meant to be!”
John Malkovich was originally set to play Ivan Kragoff, aka the Red Ghost, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but his scenes were cut from the movie. Director Matt Shakman revealed that Malkovich appeared in an extended sequence exploring the Fantastic Four’s early superhero days, including their battle with the Red Ghost and his Super-Apes.
Speaking to Variety, Shakman said, “It was heartbreaking not to include him in the final version of the movie because he’s one of my very favorite humans and one of my biggest inspirations.” Shakman added, “As a person who walks the line between theater, film, and television, there’s no one more inspiring than the founder of Steppenwolf Theater Company. What he’s done on stage as an actor and as a director in theater, as well as in film, and as a film actor of incredible ability — I was honored he came to play.”
In an interview with Phase Zero’s Brandon Davis, Shakman revealed that the opening montage of the Fantastic Four’s exploits on the Ted Gilbert Show was originally longer, offering a richer “sense of history” as Marvel’s First Family celebrated its fourth anniversary.
Shakman explained, “We wanted the characters to feel lived-in; we wanted the city to feel lived-in. Part of that was showing all the things they’ve done along the way: building the Future Foundation, defeating Red Ghost, the Mad Thinker, [and] Mole Man.”
Here’s the plot details for The Fantastic Four: First Steps:
Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Pascal), Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm / The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) 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 called 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, it suddenly gets very personal.
The film also stars Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles. Directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis, and Tim Lewis.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters.
Source: Jeremy Simser
