Michael B. Jordan describes ‘gritty’ new look for Fantastic Four

By Rick Marshall Published October 6, 2014

michael b jordan describes gritty new look fantastic four human torch — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The upcoming Hollywood reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise has generated a lot of speculation with talk of an altered origin story for Marvel’s first family of superheroes and some intriguing casting decisions. According to actor Michael B. Jordan, who plays Johnny Storm (a.k.a. The Human Torch) in the upcoming film, the team’s costumes will also receive a reboot of sorts.

“It’s a new look,” Jordan told ABC News. “We are all in containment suits. … It’s gritty. It’s a gritty film.”

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Jordan will take over the role of Johnny Storm that was famously played by Chris Evans in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer. In Marvel’s comic-book universe, Johnny Storm is one of four astronauts — on a team that also includes his sister, Susan, and brother-in-law Reed Richards — who are bathed in cosmic radiation during an outer-space expedition and develop superhuman abilities. While Johnny has the ability to transform into a living inferno, his sister Susan can become invisible, Reed’s body becomes infinitely stretchable, and their other teammate, Ben Grimm, is turned into a powerful behemoth with rock-hard skin.

“I’m really excited about it, everyone is really happy,” said Jordan. “We worked hard for three months, put a lot of time into it. The script is very grounded and relatable to everybody, as much as you can. You really get a chance to grow with these characters. It’s an origin story. You get to discover these abilities. These disabilities rather and grow with them.”

Directed by Chronicle filmmaker Josh Trank, The Fantastic Four also stars Kate Mara as Sue Storm, Miles Teller as Reed Richards, and Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm. Toby Kebbell will play the team’s longtime foe, Victor Von Doom.

“The costume process definitely took some time to get in and out of that thing, especially since I was bulking up,” added Jordan. “It was a little more snug during filming. We got through it man. It was a process, but we did it. It was hard work.”

The Fantastic Four hits theaters August 7, 2015.

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