The Fantastic Four: Paul Walter Hauser Teases Mystery Character

Paul Walter Hauser reveals that his secret role in Marvel Studios‘ The Fantastic Four is an established character from the comic lore.

“I know what that question is leading to, which is the answer as to which character I’m to play,” Hauser responded when asked by ScreenRant to confirm his participation in the upcoming MCU project. “So all I can say is that I, in some iteration, am in the movie The Fantastic Four until I get fired or recast. So I can’t say anything about the character I’m playing, but know that it is in the sort of lexicon and mythology of The Fantastic Four stories.”

“And it’s a very distinct character that I’m excited to play and I’m kind of mapping out what I’m doing with that right now. But I’ve always wanted to be a part of a cinematic universe. I spent a lot of time trying to campaign to play the Penguin in the Matt Reeves film, and that of course went to Colin Farrell and he did a masterful job and it was totally different than what I was trying to do. So I really appreciate Marvel giving me the time of day and entrusting a role to me in some capacity that I get to be a part of that family. I’m really excited to partake in.”

Hauser is known for his critically acclaimed performances as Stingray in Netflix’s Cobra Kai and the title role in Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell. Most recently, he won a Primetime Emmy for his performance as convicted serial killer and rapist Larry Hall in Apple TV+’s Black Bird.

Who stars in The Fantastic Four?

Hauser joins an all-star cast that includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer. Additionally, Ralph Ineson is set to play Galactus while John Malkovich rounds out the confirmed cast in an undisclosed role.

Directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision) from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, The Fantastic Four is scheduled to be released on July 25, 2025.