Can anyone out-charm Chris Evans as Johnny Storm? Joseph Quinn speaks on taking up the mantle as the Human Torch in The Fantastic Four.
Long before he played Captain America in the MCU, Chris Evans played the hot-headed Johnny Storm in 2005’s Fantastic Four film. Many saw him as perfect for the role, not knowing the iconic character awaiting him in the future. Now 20 years out, Joseph Quinn is set to take up the mantle of the Human Torch in the MCU, and the actor knows he has big shoes to fill.
“I remember really enjoying Chris Evans’s performance as Johnny in the previous films, and it felt like this would be a really exciting opportunity; I was absolutely signed up,” Quinn told Entertainment Weekly. “”…I mean, you’re going to make it your own…It’s big boots [to fill].”
“I had a talk with [director] Matt [Shakman], and it was very clear with the kind of people who they were attaching to it what they were trying to do with it. There are aspects of it that are very much a singular thing and its own thing.”
It’s good to hear that Joseph Quinn won’t just be trying to emulate Chris Evans’ performance as the Human Torch in The Fantastic Four. Johnny Storm has had a history spanning decades in the comics, with each incarnation being slightly different. It only makes sense that the MCU has its own unique take on the team’s resident hot-head!
Joseph Quinn Teases A ‘Brilliant’ Reboot
Many fans are, understandably, worried about the MCU’s take on The Fantastic Four. The team’s history on the big screen has ranged from “fine” to “flop”, and Marvel’s recent failures don’t inspire much hope. However, Joseph Quinn believes that their team has something truly brilliant on their hands thanks to director Matt Shakman.
“I think that with the story of the Fantastic Four, it feels like we want to get this right,” Quinn continued. “There are aspects of it that are very different to other Marvel films. That felt very compelling to me. And again, going back to who’s involved, Matt [Shakman], of course, the director, I think is brilliant, and the cast, and I’ve read it and the script is brilliant. It’s really brilliant. I’m delighted to have this opportunity.”
“Superhero movies are movies about people. And if we’re invested in the people and the characters and the peril and the spectacle, then that’s why people go to the theaters to watch films. We’re not just in a penny; we’re in for a pound with this one. We’re going to go for it.”
Family has always sat at the core of The Fantastic Four. Hearing the MCU is putting its people at the center of their story is at least a good sign for things to come with the project. While fans may be wary, here’s to hoping that Joseph Quinn and the rest of the cast can blow expectations out of the water!
Fantastic Four opens on July 25, 2025. Stay tuned for all the latest news regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
