One of Marvel’s most beloved and iconic superhero teams finally makes their way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the Fantastic Four reboot. Ebon Moss-Bachrach has the tall task of bringing the character Ben Grimm/The Thing to life. In a revealing new interview, Moss-Bachrach disclosed details about his rock-laden character, namely that The Thing will be brought to the screen through advanced motion capture performance, similar to how Mark Ruffalo embodies the Hulk.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach Reveals The Thing Will Channel Hulk’s Motion Capture in Fantastic Four
Ebon Moss-Bachrach is about to realize his Marvel dreams of playing the iconic role of The Thing in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. In a recent interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, he revealed his rock-skinned character will utilize similar motion capture technology as Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
“It’s a little kind of cosplay, kind of amateur that kind of stuff now with the technology we have,” Moss-Bachrach explained.
He contrasted the more cumbersome practical suit worn by former The Thing actor Michael Chiklis. This confirms that Moss-Bachrach will instead perform his scenes through advanced motion capture.
How Will Fantastic Four’s Motion Capture Measure Up to the MCU?
By adopting state-of-the-art motion capture over old-school padded suits, Fantastic Four seems intent on ensuring CGI characters like The Thing fit seamlessly into the MCU’s visual standards.
The decision mirrors the approach taken for Mark Ruffalo’s Incredible Hulk, with Mark Ruffalo likewise performing via motion capture sensors. This not only enables more realistic animation but greater freedom and comfort, allowing the actor to inhabit the role fully. Here is how fans reacted to this news:
Literally nothing wrong with that , people just hating
— Weighty🏴 (@Weightyy_) February 24, 2024
Sure he’ll look good. Prosthetics were good for the time.
— X-Men Films .com (@XMenFilms) February 24, 2024
For those who are disappointed, I want to tell you… He's a fucking humanoid rock the size of the Hulk. There's no way to do this with practical effects without it being too small or imposing.
— Hot_Husk🇮🇹 (@Lorenzo74209291) February 24, 2024
That’s fine, I just hope they keep him around the same size as the rest of the 4, not like the big hulking Fan4stic version pic.twitter.com/E7exgl2SWT
— Beyond Strange (@Comic_Oddity) February 24, 2024
I wish it was a suit/prosthetics like the 2000s movies, I miss when Hollywood used prosthetics.
— super_nerd (@supernerd525751) February 24, 2024
Probably look like this pic.twitter.com/nEhVqsEckC
— Justin Lo (@_justintime20_) February 24, 2024
Moss-Bachrach’s remarks suggest The Thing will move and emote with the phenomenal CGI polish that has made Hulk feel anchored within the live-action world. Marvel has continually upped their VFX game, and fans can expect no less with their Fantastic Four reboot.
Will Ebon Moss-Bachrach Capture Ben Grimm’s Spirit?
Beyond the surface-level benefits of modern visual effects, the motion capture process also aids actors in connecting emotionally with CGI parts like The Thing. Ruffalo has impressively channeled pathos and personality through Hulk, thanks to performing scenes firsthand. This immersive experience should similarly allow Moss-Bachrach to infuse the orange rock-skin Ben Grimm with genuine heart.
Early set photos of Moss-Bachrach in a mocap suit flanked by co-stars fuel expectations that he’ll deliver a resonant, fully realized take on the beloved character. And doing so will be vital for selling the ensemble’s found family dynamic.
If Moss-Bachrach nails his performance aided by the liberating process of motion capture, it may finally give fans the emotional, scene-stealing The Thing portrayal the character deserves, with visual effects worthy of Marvel’s lofty benchmarks.
Fantastic Four ushers in a new superhero team to the MCU when it lands on July 25, 2025. But thanks to motion capture creating continuity with characters like Hulk, the reboot should blend right into the established universe. And Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s remarks hint his turn as The Thing will easily become iconic in its own right.
