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Edited by Mrph1 on Jul 29th 2024 at 3:09:00 PM
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Unlike the case of Kang, the Fantastic Four have already appeared on the big screen no less than three times (four if you count the unreleased 1994 film). And the physical appearances of the FF are so recognizable to casual audiences and comic books fans that changing most or all of them might just cause quite a backlash especially the latter. Also, Jon Watts is directing this film and if his Spider-Man movies are any indication, he might keep the races of all the FF members since they're too iconic though I could see him race swap some of the supporting cast and rogues gallery, it's also not the first time this has happened just look at Alicia Masters in the Tim Story duology.
Also assuming if Reed's race is not changed, they could explain that he has a non-white descendant who is descended from a mixed race Richards who married a black woman in the future to explain why he doesn't look like his ancestor.
Edited by Chrononaut70 on Sep 16th 2021 at 4:59:46 AM
Well Ben in the comics is Jewish much like his creator Jack Kirby and that's an aspect of his character that Marvel might not change.
I know. Moving on from Fantastic Four, Secret Wars (2015) is going to be adapted as the next Myth Arc of the MCU what will Loki bringing up the Multiversal War and What If exploring alternate timelines. It also provide the opportunity to bring back the likes of Iron Man, Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Black Widow through alternate versions of the characters teaming up with the mainline Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Deadpool and others. That is assuming if their actors are willing to return and Johansson might not do it because of a lawsuit with Disney.
Edited by Chrononaut70 on Sep 16th 2021 at 5:45:41 AM
This is, of course, provided they adapt Kang being related to Reed at all.
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Black Jews exist but the likelihood of Ben Grimm being portrayed as white Ashkenazi is really high especially since he's a New Yorker as well.
I brought up the race-lift question predominantly because of a beat I heard from Bob Chipman: yes, technically there's nothing forcing Reed and/or Sue to be black because of Kang but fiction is fiction and thus Same Surname Means Related is extremely likely to be in full effect. It's an idea I've increasingly come to terms with over the last few months, and between the two I actually can't help but bias towards a black Sue if only because that would also mean black Johnny and I'm honestly cool with that. Basically make up for Fant4stic by actually committing to the idea fully and properly.
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Then again, there are instances of characters sharing the same surname without being related (i.e. Sam Wilson/Falcon and Wade Wilson/Deadpool). Also, the FF is popular and recognizable among fans like Spider-Man (just not as much as him) so they could keep their races as is with some Hand-Waving for why MCU Reed and Kang don't look like each other (for the reasons I already explained).
Edited by Chrononaut70 on Sep 16th 2021 at 6:11:41 AM
He could also have a white Ashkenazi Jewish parent, like Rashida Jones.
Overall I am pretty pessimistic that they'll be racelifted at all (we are but less than a year from "maybe Tilda Swinton was a mistake..."), but of note, the reason Peter's supporting cast got diversified was explicitly because of NY's diversity.
Edited by Synchronicity on Sep 16th 2021 at 8:12:47 AM
Now if I write for marvel I’m going to do a storyline teasing that Wade and Sam are related
Forever liveblogging the AvengersAdmittedly him being a White Male Lead is still better than all of them being white.
Diversity half measures!

Oh right the full name of Ultimate Iron Man is Antonio Stark.
"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."