In a candid interview with Vulture published on July 30, actor Ioan Gruffudd opened up about the cancelled third installment of the early 2000s Fantastic Four series. Gruffudd played Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic. He described the film’s cancellation as something completely out of his control—despite strong fan enthusiasm and early franchise momentum.
“The mindset was that we were going to do three, and I think the second movie was equally successful as the first and equally enjoyable for the fans,” Gruffudd said. “I particularly loved working with Doug Jones [as the Silver Surfer] on that movie, who’s just a terrific artist and an expert in the field of movement.”
The Fantastic Four Trilogy That Never Happened
Fantastic Four (2005) marked a pivotal moment in early superhero cinema. It premiered before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as we know it today, had even launched. The sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), followed up with respectable box office returns and fan engagement. The studio set high expectations for a trilogy.
“So there was definitely that sort of momentum,” Gruffudd recalled, “and the plan was to do three movies, but these decisions are beyond my control.”
Although the studio quietly shelved the plans, fans have long wondered why the trilogy didn’t move forward. Studio executives likely contributed to the decision by changing leadership, redirecting creative plans, and responding to early franchise fatigue. However, they never officially confirmed the reasons.
Fantastic Four Role Was a Career Milestone
For Gruffudd, the cancellation wasn’t just a career detour—it was personal. Losing the opportunity to continue as Mister Fantastic took an emotional toll.
“As an actor, you almost grieve every part that you’ve played, and this was no different,” he shared. “This was a massive stepping-stone in my career, and because this was two movies over several years, the character becomes part of you. So I think the grieving process is that you’ve enjoyed the character so much and you’re not getting to play them again.”
This type of long-term character involvement is rare, especially in franchises. Over multiple films, an actor often becomes closely attached to the role—and the world around it.
Could Ioan Gruffudd Return to the Fantastic Four?
No Contact Yet, But the Door Is Still Open
With the multiverse becoming a major narrative element in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans continue to speculate on surprise cameos or nostalgic returns. Could Gruffudd return as an alternate version of Mister Fantastic in an upcoming MCU project?
So far, no such invitation has been extended.
“I have not been approached to reprise Mister Fantastic in any way … yet,” Gruffudd clarified.
His statement may sound final, but it leaves the door slightly ajar. In the ever-expanding multiverse, past iterations of characters are fair game for return—just look at the surprise appearances in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness or Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Pedro Pascal Takes the Torch
As the MCU prepares for its official Fantastic Four reboot, actor Pedro Pascal will take on the role of Reed Richards in the 2025 film The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While Pascal brings star power and a fresh interpretation, many longtime fans still consider Gruffudd’s version iconic.
Even without plans for his return, audiences continue to appreciate Gruffudd’s contributions to early Marvel films. His portrayal of Mister Fantastic helped shape how fans viewed the character—well before the MCU took off.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on MCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to Marvel Updates’ YouTube channel
