The hunt for Marvel’s first family is seeing its biggest development yet as new rumors indicate Adam Driver has been offered the role of Reed Richards in Fantastic Four.

Recommended Videos

The superhero team has seen several iterations of speculation and fan-casting in the four years following Marvel’s announcement of their addition to the MCU. For a while, actor John Krasinski led the charge in terms of popularity, even resulting in the actor being cast as a variant of the character in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, since then, it has been confirmed that Krasinski will not return to the part. As such, Marvel has been on the hunt for a new actor, and according to scooper Daniel Richtman, the studio has landed on 39-year-old Driver. 

Adam Driver has reportedly been offered the role of Reed Richards!

via @DanielRPK

— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) April 19, 2023

The news set the fandom ablaze on Twitter where Driver’s casting has split the fandom completely down the middle. Some are pointing to Driver’s varied filmography as proof that he is more than capable of stepping into Reed Richard’s shoes and capturing his stoic leadership and academic prowess.

I would be more than happy with Adam Driver as Reed Richards. We saw he can go from a meek nerd to a confident businessman in #HouseOfGucci, so I could see him nailing Reed. #FantasticFour #MrFantastic

— Connor Behrens (@ConnorBehrens) April 19, 2023

Adam Driver as Reed Richards in Fantastic Four? Immediately yes. His range as an actor is phenomenal.

— Shaheed Rajab (@_sketedavidson) April 19, 2023

I think Adam Driver as Reed Richards can actually work and he’s a phenomenal actor

— Ollie🏹 (@TheQuiver_) April 19, 2023

Others, on the other hand, have become nasty in their criticism, taking aim at Driver’s physical appearance as reason enough to be disqualified for the part. 

reed richards is supposed to be pretty

— yeşim | succession spoilers! (@doomreed) April 19, 2023

reed richards isn't ugly

— ‏َ (@sxarlights) April 19, 2023

Above and beyond Driver’s involvement, Marvel fans have simply become exhausted by the endless influx of Fantastic Four casting rumors, which goes to show just how much pressure is on the film to live up to expectations. 

one day John Krasinski is playing Reed Richards, then it’s Diego Luna, then it’s Adam Driver, then it’s John K again, and now we’re back to Adam Driver- all these Fantastic Four casting rumors need to END

— Ty ➃ (@ClobberinTyme) April 19, 2023

If Driver has indeed been offered the part, the belief here is that he will either be the best Reed Richards we’ve seen to date or the worst. No in-between. 

he’s either gonna be the best Reed Richards we’ve seen or he’s gonna be the worst

no in between

— ❓0❓❓ (@capeshitsucks) April 19, 2023

As far back as January, Driver has been rumored to play Reed Richards. The fact that the rumor has held up for more than three months just might indicate the weight of its claim. At the present moment, however, Driver’s casting remains a rumor. We Got This Covered will update you with more news as soon as it’s announced.