I’m Convinced An MCU Actor Just Confirmed A Major Fantastic Four: First Steps Casting Theory

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A new update from Natasha Lyonne has me convinced that theories about her character in The Fantastic Four: First Steps have just been confirmed. Marvel Studios began to reveal the main cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps on Valentine's Day, confirming Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the titular MCU team. If this wasn't exciting enough, even more cast members were revealed shortly after, including one of my favorite actors, Natasha Lyonne, and I reckon she might have just teased exactly who she's playing in the MCU.
Deadline confirmed Natasha Lyonne's casting in The Fantastic Four: First Steps back in May, and theories immediately began to emerge regarding who she could be playing. Some of my favorite theories have suggested Lyonne could play the Inhuman Medusa, Frankie Raye's Nova, or even a gender-swapped Doctor Doom, but I think there's only one clear casting for the beloved New Yorker. After having just recently finished another rewatch of Russian Doll, I can't wait to see Natasha Lyonne debut in the MCU, possibly as Alicia Masters.

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1 I’m Convinced Natasha Lyonne Is Playing Alicia Masters In The Fantastic Four: First Steps Natasha Lyonne Shared A Photo Of Herself & Ebon Moss-Bachrach From The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Production

Immediately after she was confirmed to be cast in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, my first speculation was that Natasha Lyonne would be playing Alicia Masters in the MCU. Alicia Masters is a blind sculptor in Marvel Comics who forms an immediate bond with Ben Grimm, a.k.a. the Thing, going on to become his love interest and eventual wife. I'm convinced this is the perfect role for Natasha Lyonne, especially after she shared a photo of herself and Ebon Moss-Bachrach from London, where The Fantastic Four: First Steps is being filmed.

Set to the tune of "Get Together" by The Youngbloods from 1967, the image of Natasha Lyonne and Ebon Moss-Bachrach laughing together makes me sure that they would have fantastic chemistry as Alicia Masters and Ben Grimm, respectively. While Lyonne and Moss-Bachrach have never worked together on-screen before The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Lyonne claims that she has been calling him "Young Gun" for 25 years, highlighting the longevity and stability of their brilliant friendship. I can't wait to see this translated into their iconic MCU roles.
Natasha Lyonne Would Make A Perfect Alicia Masters In The MCU Natasha Lyonne & Alicia Masters Share Many Brilliant Traits Close Alicia Masters was previously portrayed by New Yorker Kerry Washington in Fox's Fantastic Four duology, but this interpretation of the character didn't capture my imagination. I'd love to see Natasha Lyonne inject some of her rough-around-the-edges temperament into Masters, bringing something fresh to the prominent Fantastic Four supporting character. Aside from looking strikingly similar to Alicia Masters from Marvel Comics, particularly in the character's more recent appearances in which she's had red hair, Lyonne also has experience playing another blind Marvel character.
Alicia Masters first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1962's The Fantastic Four #8, originally debuting as a minor antagonist, though she soon turned her back on her villainous stepfather and joined the Fantastic Four in future adventures.
Of course, Lyonne's appearance as Nightstalker member Sommerfield in 2004's Blade: Trinity was lackluster, forgettable in a disappointing movie, but this will have given her invaluable Marvel experience. Alicia Masters and Natasha Lyonne share many traits. Both are headstrong and formidable, fiery and confident, but both also have a sensitive, tender and caring side. I will be shocked if Marvel Studios introduces Ben Grimm into the MCU without also introducing Alicia Masters, and Natasha Lyonne was perhaps born for this legendary role.
Natasha Lyonne As Alicia Masters Supports Another Major Casting Theory Alicia Masters' Debut In The Fantastic Four: First Steps Hints At Another Powerful Villain

If Natasha Lyonne does indeed appear as Alicia Masters in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, this would create the perfect opportunity for Marvel Studios to pay off more theories concerning another cast member's role. Deadline confirmed John Malkovich's MCU casting in May, and I'm one of many who instantly thought he'd be perfect as the Puppet Master, otherwise known as Philip Masters, Alicia Masters' supervillain stepfather. The captivating and hilarious John Malkovich would be perfect as the Puppet Master, one of the Fantastic Four's original villains in Marvel Comics.

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1 I mean no offense by this, but John Malkovich bears a striking resemblance to the Puppet Master from Marvel Comics. Slender, bald and energetic, Malkovich would be an inspired casting choice for Philip Masters, and there's no need for Malkovich to be a New Yorker to play this role, as the Puppet Master originated in Transia, a fictional nation in the Balkans. I can't wait to see John Malkovich and Natasha Lyonne debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, especially if they appear as the Puppet Master and Alicia Masters.

The Fantastic Four (2025) Not Yet Rated ActionAdventure Sci-FiSuperhero Marvel's Fantastic Four is the first MCU movie to feature Marvel's First Family in the same live-action universe as the Avengers. It introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, and precedes Phase 6's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Director Matt Shakman Release Date July 25, 2025 Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Josh Friedman , Jeff Kaplan , Ian Springer Cast Pedro Pascal , Vanessa Kirby , Ebon Moss-Bachrach , Joseph Quinn , Ralph Ineson , Paul Walter Hauser , Natasha Lyonne , John Malkovich , Julia Garner Upcoming MCU Movies