Before Tim Story assumed the directorial reins for the live-action adaptation of Fantastic Four, The Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin also wanted to make a film on Marvel’s first family. The actor has shared that he envisioned casting Cameron Diaz in one of the leading roles as Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Woman, in his adaptation. However, the actress abruptly rejected the offer after learning the terms to play the character.
Cameron Diaz Rejected the Offer to Play The Invisible Woman
During an interview at the 2019 Las Vegas Comic Con, Sean Astin shared that he almost directed a Fantastic Four film. The actor shared that he also discussed his idea with the Marvel head, Kevin Feige, who was the Head of Physical Production for Fox’s Marvel films at the time.
Astin had some of the cast planned for his Fantastic Four adaptation, which included Christina Aguilera and Cameron Diaz as potential candidates for the role of Sue Storm. He even shared that he offered the role to the Knight and Day star.
“I tried to talk Cameron Diaz into playing Sue Storm,” he shared in an interview with Collider. “But she was like, wait, how long do I have to be in the makeup? And I was like, well, you know, for a while,” he said, recalling his conversation with the actress.
Diaz declined the offer, saying, “I don’t want to do that.” The reason somehow seems surprisingly whimsical, considering the character doesn’t require intricate makeup. Although Astin’s vision never happened, Jessica Alba eventually portrayed Sue Storm in Tim Story’s Fantastic Four film series.
Sean Astin Claimed He Talked Michael Chiklis into Playing The Thing
While Sean Astin was not able to put out his vision for a Fantastic Four movie on the silver screen, he was able to see the actor he wanted to play The Thing in the film. During his conversation at the 2019 Las Vegas Comic Con, the actor claimed that he was the one who talked Michael Chiklis into playing Ben Grimm, aka The Thing in Tim Story’s Fantastic Four film series.
He shared that he went to a boxing match with Chiklis, where he told him, “You’ve gotta play Thing … that part came down from God for you. You have to play this part.” The Lord of the Rings actor said that although he doesn’t know if the Fantastic Four actor would remember it, he believed that he “talked him into” playing the character. Chiklis joined the cast of the film alongside Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, and Ioan Gruffudd.
The Fantastic Four film series is available on Disney+.
