By Patrick Kelley

Soon to grace the silver screens, ‘The Fantastic Four’ from Marvel Studios is setting Paul Walter Hauser on an unusual preparation route – diving deep into the comic book world.

"I’ve been reading a lot, mostly comic books and the screenplay," Hauser admitted in a conversation with Variety. Hauser is preparing for a role in the film kept hush for now. And he’s not just skimming through the pages. He’s analysing storylines and character trajectories, figuring out how to stay unique without causing unnecessary distraction. In sync with his prior strategy for ‘BlacKkKlansman’, where he had to craft his own brand of ‘racist idiot’ among similarly aligned characters. "When in an ensemble, trying to be unique or specific without being distracting can be a challenge", he explained.

But Hauser is hardly complaining, confessing that his comic book deep dive has uncorked a bottle of fun. "I didn’t really read Fantastic Four when I was a kid. I was very Batman-centric. But reading the Fantastic Four comics has been a blast. I love it.”

The Fantastic Four – Who are they, again?

Assuming you too, like Hauser, did not delve into ‘The Fantastic Four’ in your childhood, the movie boasts of a star-studded cast you simply cannot resist. Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/the Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/the Thing, Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus are a few to name.

John Malkovich and Natasha Lyonne also join this stellar cast in undisclosed roles. Rumors and speculation are running rife about their characters, adding all the more anticipation for the movie.

Earmarked for a grand release in U.S. theaters on July 25, 2025, ‘The Fantastic Four’ as a part of ‘Phase 6’ of MCU is on the checklist of every Marvel enthusiast worldwide. And as far Hauser is concerned, his comic-book-induced preparation seems to be in full swing. Marvel fans may wish to follow suit, perhaps with a flavorful variation of their superhero-themed popcorn.