Although it might still be a while before they actually show up, the Fantastic Four are indeed coming to the MCU and that’s the reason for fans everywhere to get excited. After some disappointing live-action films, it will be good to see these wonderful characters return home.
One of the most exciting characters we’ll get to see is Ben Grimm aka The Thing. This massively powerful rock creature is one of the most interesting Marvel characters. His gruff and powerful exterior masks his big heart and tragic persona. While the character will likely be motion-capture, they’ll need a skilled actor to bring the character to life. Here are some of the actors we’d love to see play The Thing in the MCU.
Liev Schreiber
Live Schreiber is an actor of incredible range, but he really seems to excel at playing the tough, intimidating characters. In Ray Donovan, Schreiber has shown great talent for the soft-spoken thug with a dark side. And he has already played a badass comic book character as Sabretooth in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Schreiber’s gravely voice seems tailor-made for The Thing as that voice will be a very important part to get right about the character. Schreiber can also bring humanity and depth to the tortured hero.
Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler might be a choice that initially turns the internet crazy, but it also has the potential to be pitch-perfect. Yes, Sandler has made some bad movies in the past, but he’s also shown he can be a very powerful actor in the right role. His upcoming Uncut Gems will likely remind people of that.
Sandler’s Brooklyn accent is spot on for The Thing and we all know he can bring the necessary comedy chops to the role. He is also great at playing those characters with a lot of rage who can explode with fury at any moment.
Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon is one of the most interesting actors working today. Every performance he gives is at the very least, compelling and he usually elevates whatever movie he is in. While he tends to stick to smaller films, he has been known to play in the big-budget world from time to time.
Shannon is another one of those actors who can play a character with simmering rage. His characters are usually pretty scary for that fact but it would be interesting to see him play a more heroic character with these qualities.
Jesse Plemons
Jesse Plemons has gradually been building a stellar career in film and television over the years. With appearances in Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad, Game Night and Black Mirror among many others, he has shown incredible range.
Plemons could bring a very interesting spin on The Thing. His more soft-spoken persona could work for a mild-mannered guy who is transformed into this creature. His monotone delivery could be hilarious for the character as well.
Adam Driver
Adam Driver has one of the most impressive careers of any young actor around. In a very short time, he has managed to work with some of the biggest directors in the business, including Steve Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, and the Coen Brothers. He has shown amazing range in both drama and comedy.
Already front-and-center in Disney’s Star Wars franchise, it’s not a stretch to imagine he could join the MCU. This deep voice can convey so much, from anger to caring to comedy. Getting an actor of his talents for the role would be a big win.
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen might not seem like an obvious choice for a CGI superhero character, his performance in Green Book makes him seem like a clear choice for The Thing. While that film has its share of critics, Mortensen was very entertaining as the New York tough guy.
Mortensen seems to be rather selective with his roles, but if he doesn’t mind wearing a mo-cap suit, this role could be enticing. The Thing is a complex character and an actor like Mortensen could bring out some of that depth.
Danny McBride
The MCU loves to throw a lot of comedy in their movies and The Thing, despite his troubles, can be a very funny character. To have such an amazing comedic actor as Danny McBride in the role could make for one of the standout characters in the MCU.
McBride has excelled at playing vulgar, arrogant characters. He is hilarious in these parts but The Thing might be a way to stretch his comedic muscles. Playing a funny character with a big heart would be an interesting change for McBride.
Jon Hamm
If the MCU can get Bradley Cooper to play a talking raccoon, that can aim pretty high for who they get to play The Thing. Jon Hamm has the leading man looks, but he seems more interested in character actor roles. Playing The Thing would mean hiding his handsome face, but he would be oddly perfect for the part.
His deep, commanding voice fits the character very well, especially as there is a softer quality to it as well. Hamm is also a very gifted comedic actor who would feel right at home alongside the MCU’s other funny people.
Nick Offerman
Nick Offerman is most famous for his role as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation. In many ways, The Thing is like a superhero version of Ron Swanson which makes him perfect for the role.
Both men are grumpy, loners who have a secret soft spot and care a lot for their friends. Offerman is also a hilarious comedic actor and could no doubt bring a lot to the role. Also, his voice sounds exactly like you’d think a rock monster would sound like.
Brian Tyree Henry
Brian Tyree Henry exploded thanks to his role as Paper Boi in Atlanta. Since then, Henry has been popping up in some of the best movies of the last few years, including Widows, If Beale Street Could Talk and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It’s only a matter of time before this gifted actor becomes a household name.
A role in the MCU could be that next big break and The Thing seems like an ideal role for Henry. Atlanta has shown his amazing range as a tough, funny and damaged character. Henry could be the right actor to bring out the humanity of that character in a fun and compelling way.
