AsFantastic Fourfans have proven, there are some hypothetical casting decisions that seem so perfect, it’s almost unfathomable that they wouldn’t end up as a reality. For every J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson and Katee Sackhoff as Starbuck, there are countless others who would be an ideal fit for a certain role and yet, tragically, never go beyond the realm of fantasy.
However, hopefully this one in particular breaks that trend. For a while now,The OfficestarJohn Krasinski has been a popular choice to play Reed Richardsin a theoretical futureFantastic Fourproject. Even Krasinski himself has said he’s up for it. But those hopes have remained rumors all this time. So, naturally, fan artists have taken it upon themselves to show the world what it’s missing.
RELATED:Which 2000s Non-MCU Marvel Movie Is The Worst?
Digital artistRahal Nejraouiis the latest to offer a look into an alternate reality that features Krasinski in that coveted role. It looks like it wouldn’t be out of place in the developingFantastic Fourfilm eventually coming fromSpider-Man: No Way Homedirector Jon Watts. Combining an image of the actor’s grizzled mug with a pretty standard-looking modern take on Richards’Fantastic Foursuit, the artist managed to create a pretty convincing shot that places him in the middle of what appears to be a warzone. Frankly, that sounds pretty much on-brand for both Marvel andFantastic Fourat this point.
The vibe of the digital mockup almost seems likesomething Zack Snyder would conjure upfor one of his characteristically gritty films. Even the outfit wouldn’t be out of place on Krasinski standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside the Justice League, or at least just off-camera ready to sacrifice himself for the greater good after spending the whole movie with massively reduced screen time compared to the other stars. Hey, that’s just the vibe it puts out (from a subjective standpoint, anyway).
Fantastic Fourhas rather famously suffered a less-than-stellar reputation throughout all of its attempts at a cinematic adaptation. From Roger Corman’s unreleased (yet somehow still beloved) passion project in 1994 to 2015’s ill-fated and linguistically curiousFan4stic, it seems as though the best that people can say aboutany givenFantastic Fourmovieis that “it had heart” or “it’s fun while drunk.” That may be unfair, of course, given how all the films, including the slightly better received mid-2000s duology starring Chris Evans and Jessica Alba, have their own small but appreciative fan bases. But it’s not difficult to see a trend.
Nejraoui actually referenced some whispers regarding the future of Reed Richards and the rest of The Fantastic Four in the artwork’s caption, saying, “Heard some rumors that John Krasinski might show up as Reed Richards inDoctor Strange 2.” Whether or not those rumors bear fruit, it’s certainly nice to know just how good Krasinski might end up looking in the role if something does end up happening. Cross those freakishly long and stretchy fingers.
Fantastic Fouris now in development at Marvel Studios.
MORE:Peacemaker Shares A Lot Of Its DNA With Another James Gunn Project
