Human Torch star Joseph Quinn addresses Johnny Storm’s playboy personality and explains how hisMCUportrayal distances itself from this aspect of the comic book character inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. The Fantastic Four have been adapted to live-action four times beforeMarvel Studios' upcomingThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Johnny Storm a.k.a. the Human Torch has appeared on the big screen one additional time, played by Chris Evans in 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine. Josh Trank’s darkFantastic Fournotwithstanding,every live-actionFantastic Fouradaptationhas been relatively faithful to the source material.
In an interview withEntertainment Weekly,The Fantastic Four: First Steps' main cast discuss their takes on Marvel’s First Family.Human Torch actor Joseph Quinn reveals his version of Johnny Storm is"less callous with other people’s feelings"and not the same"womanizing, devil-may-care guy"character that many comic books and previous adaptations have portrayed. Quinn also states that his Johnny Storm is still funny and"leads with a lot of bravado.“Read Joseph Quinn’s full comments below:
“He’s a man that leads with a lot of bravado, which can be an affront sometimes. But also he’s funny. Myself and [Marvel Studios boss] Kevin [Feige] were speaking about previous iterations of him and where we are culturally. He was branded as this womanizing, devil-may-care guy, but is that sexy these days? I don’t think so. This version of Johnny is less callous with other people’s feelings, and hopefully there’s a self-awareness about what’s driving that attention-seeking behavior.”
What Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm Comments Mean
Joseph Quinn Will Play A Modern Version Of Johnny Storm
Joseph Quinn’s comments suggest the MCU’s Johnny Storm won’t be as naughty and coarse as he has been in many comic books and in Fox’s two 2000sFantastic Fourmovies.Chris Evans played an insolent Johnny Storm in 2005’sFantastic Fourand 2007’sFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, where he flirted with almost every woman he came across and showcased a brazen sense of humor that often got on Ben Grimm’s nerves. Joseph Quinn will distance himself from these aspects of Johnny Storm’s personality, as there are many other traits that make the Human Torch a compelling character.
I’m Convinced The Fantastic Four: First Steps Director’s Recent Comments About Alternate Universe Heroes Are More Important Than You Realize
The Fantastic Four: First Steps might not be including any cameos from the MCU’s heroes, but that doesn’t mean an iconic MCU veteran won’t appear.
Joseph Quinn isn’t the only member ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' casttaking a different approach to their character. Vanessa Kirby is playing a more mature Sue Storm who balances her life as a star and a hero with being a mother, Pedro Pascal is playing a more seasoned version of Reed Richards, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will play a more playful and warm-hearted Ben Grimm. Together, the MCU’s Fantastic Four also promise to be the most devoted and inseparable iteration of the team so far, as well as the most publicly celebrated iteration of the team on the big screen.
Our Take On Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm Comments
The MCU’s Fantastic Four Needed To Be Unique
The Fantastic Four: First Steps' titular characters will be quite different from many well-known versions of the team, both from the comics and from previous movie adaptations. Since movies like 2005’sFantastic Fourand 2007’sFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surferpioneered several traditional traits of Marvel’s First Family,it only makes sense for the MCU to explore the heroes from a different perspective. Nevertheless,The Fantastic Four: First Stepswill honor the titular character’s roots and comic book history faithfully.
