Director Josh Trank and 20th Century Fox reportedly clashed over the Fantastic Four cast


With Fantastic Four limping to a dismal $26.2 million this weekend — an embarrassing total for 20th Century Fox, which hoped to launch an entire franchise on the back of the film — people are already beginning to dissect how it all went wrong. And while it sounds like plenty of blame can be laid at the feet of both Fox and director Josh Trank for Fantastic Four's various missteps, inside sources tell Entertainment Weekly that there were problems from the very beginning.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source reports that Fox and Trank clashed over which actors to cast in the lead roles. Though both sides agreed on casting Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm, the studio wanted a different actor than Miles Teller to play Reed Richards. Trank won that round (though he and Teller eventually "developed a mutually disdainful relationship on set.")
But against Trank's wishes, Fox insisted on casting Kate Mara as Sue Storm — a choice that sources claim had a major impact on how she was treated on set. Trank "treated [Mara] badly as a result," says Entertainment Weekly. "Some say he was cruel, others say merely cold. No one says they got along."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For more on what went wrong with Fantastic Four, click over to Entertainment Weekly.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published