Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Prediction About His ‘Fantastic Four’ Role Comes True as Marvel Looks to Honor Creator Jack Kirby’s Original Vision for the First Time
- Marvel’s new 'Fantastic Four' leans into Jack Kirby’s classic design.
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Thing suit blends practical effects with retro charm.
- The reboot promises a fresh yet nostalgic take on the superhero team.
Comic book fans are buzzing with excitement, and this time, it’s the Fantastic Four who are stealing the spotlight. As Marvel’s reboot of the iconic team, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, starts to come into focus, fans are eagerly awaiting.
Why? Because this reboot promises to be a nostalgic trip back to the roots of the classic superhero team, and guess what? It looks like Marvel might just be sticking closely to the original vision of Jack Kirby, the legendary comic artist who helped create the Fantastic Four.
The latest behind-the-scenes photos reveal something unexpected: actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Ben Grimm (aka The Thing), appears to be sporting a practical suit that looks straight out of a cosplay convention. And that’s not all—Moss-Bachrach had previously joked about the costume being ‘cosplay’ compared to the more uncomfortable suits of the past.
So, are we seeing a true return to the classic look, or is this just a glimpse into Marvel’s grand design? The road to the Fantastic Four‘s next adventure is getting a lot more interesting!
Marvel’s Fantastic Four Pays Tribute to Jack Kirby’s Classic Design
When it comes to comic book aesthetics, few can rival the influence of Jack Kirby. Marvel’s reboot of Fantastic Four isn’t just a new look—it’s a total nostalgia trip to Kirby’s original designs. Recent set photos show Ebon Moss-Bachrach in a retro blue-and-white costume. Underneath, he’s got special prosthetics that harks back to the 1960s comics.
Yes, The Thing—once a source of digital woe and uncomfortable suit complaints—is getting a makeover that could please longtime fans. Set photos reveal a new design that gives a big, blocky nod to the original Kirby look.
So, if you’ve been feeling like The Thing’s last makeover was more of a rocky road, rest assured that the classic chunky look is back. The suit Moss-Bachrach is wearing is a far cry from the CGI-heavy versions we’ve seen in previous films.
Remember Michael Chiklis’ less blocky look as The Thing in Fantastic Four (2005) and its sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer? Then there was Josh Trank’s 2015 reboot, where the visual effects strayed from the classic design. This time, The Thing’s rocky appearance was created using actual prosthetics instead of relying solely on visual effects.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Suit Forecast Becomes Reality
Seeing Ebon Moss-Bachrach in a practical suit is quite a shock, especially given his earlier hesitations. Back in February, the Bear star had some amusing reservations about wearing prosthetics. The actor said on Jimmy Kimmel Live:
Apparently, the suit was really uncomfortable. We’re past that … It’s kind of like cosplay. So, maybe Marvel heard the complaints and decided to go back to basics.
So, if the leaked pictures are anything to go by, the Fantastic Four are not just giving a nod to the classics—they’re about to set a whole new bar for ‘Fantastic’ superhero costumes. Moss-Bachrach seemed to think director Matt Shakman would go the motion capture route for The Thing, and that might still be on the table.
There’s a good chance that the costume we’re seeing now is just a placeholder, with the real deal set to be added later with CGI magic. Marvel might take their sweet time before dropping an official look at The Thing, but this sneak peek suggests that First Steps is heading in the right direction.
Shakman has promised a return to the roots of the Fantastic Four, and The Thing’s images might just be the tip of the iceberg. Fans can expect The Thing that looks and feels like a tangible part of the comic book world—just with a bit of contemporary polish.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to release on 25th July, 2025.
