Paul Mescal Breaks Silence On Rumors He Was Almost Cast As Human Torch In ‘The Fantastic Four’

Could Paul Mescal be joining the MCU?

paul mescal gladiator II the human torch the fantastic four first steps marvel mcu fancast

Was Paul Mescal almost our Human Torch? The Gladiator II star speaks on the infamous rumor about being cast in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

It’s hard to imagine that the Marvel fandom was in the throes of The Fantastic Four: First Steps actor speculation less than a year ago. The rumor mill was working double time leading up to the official cast announcement with almost every big name in Hollywood getting thrown into the mix. Matt Smith as Mr. Fantastic, Margot Robbie as Sue Storm, even Cillian Murphy as Doctor Doom!

However, perhaps the most prominent rumor for The Fantastic Four: First Steps was one stating that Paul Mescal was offered the role of the Human Torch. While Joseph Quinn would ultimately end up being cast as Johnny Storm, Mescal was the top fancast for a long time up until the official announcement, with many people believing to this day that the Gladiator II star was offered the role.

Was Paul Mescal Cast As The Human Torch?

Now, a year and a half out from the rumor first hitting the net, Paul Mescal finally breaks his silence. The actor was asked about him potentially being offered a role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps during his press run for Gladiator II. His answer was luckily rather simple, stating that he was never in talks to join the cast as the Human Torch, and that those types of movies simply aren’t for him.

“No, no, no, no,” Mescal explained on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. “I don’t think it’s…I don’t think it’s for me. It’s not for me. I think…I wasn’t brought up watching those films. I wasn’t drawn to them. I was more of a Lord of the Rings guy in that sense.”

This answer may come as a disappointment to Marvel fans enamored with Paul Mescal after his breakout performance in Gladiator II. However, given being cast as the Human Torch is likely a decade-long commitment, if not longer, it’s likely for the best Mescal wasn’t offered a role he’d have no interest in playing.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps 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!

Anthony Singletary

Anthony Singletary

Anthony has always had a love for stories. An aspiring screenwriter and video editor, he takes pride in connecting fans with the latest heroic news!