If you haven’t yet seen Ebon Moss-Bachrach in all his on-screen glory, you may have at least heard people define The Bear‘s season 2, episode 7, ‘Forks,’ as one of the best things to have graced the screen in television history.
That’s why, amid an array of ‘Cousin’ jokes, there’s a legitimate reason why the Emmy-winning sensation casting as Ben Grimm/The Thing has taken the internet by storm. Marvel Studios’ recent unveiling of the faces slated to portray the beloved superhero quartet in The Fantastic Four has led many to explain why the 46-year-old actor’s selection for this particular role makes ample sense.
And it has something to do with a similarity Moss-Bachrach’s upcoming superhero stint may find with his character Richie’s arc in Christopher Storer’s uber-acclaimed comedy-drama series.
Gruff, hard-willed, grim, and stubborn with a knack for throwing snappy wisecracks yet having a heart of gold—does this sound familiar? The Thing/Ben Grimm, throughout his evolution as a multi-faceted comic-book character, has best represented these attributes.
Encapsulating this duality on-screen would seem to some a challenge, but for Moss-Bachrach, who has already been acquainted with a role requiring such depth through The Bear‘s Richie, it might just be a cakewalk.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Arc In The Bear Makes Him A Perfect Candidate For His Fantastic Four Role
While MCU’s Fantastic Four casting has evoked debates on many fronts, Ebon Moss-Bachrach‘s upcoming stint as The Thing/Ben Grimm has seemingly reaped universal acceptance and praise. Most of it has been prompted by the audience’s perspective on the heartfelt, intricately crafted performance he recently delivered on The Bear—and won an Emmy for!
As aptly pointed out by X user @ryanarey, there’s a reason why nothing could better exemplify the essence of Ben Grimm/The Thing than the character arc Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Richard “Richie” Jerimovich goes through in the hit FX series. In The Bear, we see Richie—initially introduced as best friend to Michael (Carmy’s deceased brother) and the manager to The Original Beef of Chicagoland—be crass, petty, obnoxious, and short-tempered.
At first, he comes across as a colossal jerk who is stern, stubborn, and quick to run his mouth and give everyone around him a hard time, especially the employees at The Beef. He resists change, hurls insults, and is shown to be self-righteous. A man-child, if you will. But as the character’s journey and The Bear‘s story develop, viewers realize these characteristics are by-products of harbored insecurities and fears.
In retrospect, especially after watching the S2 episode ‘Fishes,’ we understand that Richie’s divorce and Mikey’s passing contributed to the character’s preexisting traits and the shell of a man he became when we first saw him in Season 1. Still, we catch glimmers of his soft interior through moments where he dotes on his daughter, or when his love for his ‘family,’ although non-verbal, is evident.
However, what drove home the significance of his arc was how lost he started feeling. It was a lack of purpose amid a changing landscape of what previously stood reminiscent of a dear friend. Needing to find himself proved as the stepping stone between the Richie of the past and the Richie of the now.
And then, in an emotional crescendo attained through a redemptive montage and Richie singing ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift at the top of his lungs, ‘Forks’ delivered one of the most well-rendered character developments of all time. Viewers witnessed Richie realize his full potential, find an area he excels in, and come into his own. And it’s nothing short of breathtaking.
He becomes a better person, shows his vulnerability, adapts to high-pressure situations, and evolves in his relationships with others. Having portrayed a character with such duality, who metamorphoses through his journey while still retaining a flawed, human disposition, gives Ebon Moss-Bachrach an upper hand with The Fantastic Four.
Why Ebon Moss-Bachrach Is The Best Choice To Play The Thing/Ben Grimm
Although there are many elements that set apart Marvel’s The Thing from The Bear‘s Richie, the duality with which Ebon Moss-Bachrach champions the latter’s development in the series suggests he won’t do Ben Grimm’s MCU portrayal a disservice. The juxtaposition of Grimm being a gruff, quintessential tough guy with a ‘hard’ exterior but a kind-hearted, loveable disposition makes him an intricate role.
The comic book character may seem incredibly self-pitying, depressed, and short-tempered at his worst, which fits into his thematic existence given his transformation into a ‘monster-like’ figure. He can also be hard-willed and stubborn at times. This often translates into bravery, where he won’t easily give up on a fight.
He has his good days and bad days. Through it all, however, The Thing retains a vulnerability and a soft-hearted nature that is subversive to the archetype dealt to him. When it concerns his golden heart, he is anything but a monster. That is what makes him well-liked.
In The Bear, Ebon Moss-Bachrach starts off as this gruff asshole who you just hate. And over the course of 2 seasons he reveals this soft, vulnerable soul that makes you root hard for him.
Nothing says Ben Grimm better than that.
I am so excited for this movie. https://t.co/ol1e4JtCRo
— Ryan Arey 🇺🇦 (@ryanarey) February 14, 2024
From within, the character shares a significant parallel with The Bear‘s Richie—both suffer from insecurities and loneliness; both put up a tough front, albeit for varying reasons. Nevertheless, both are kind-hearted and mean well. And it is with the utmost subtlety that one could play such roles, showing a humanistic duality and how these characters come into their skin amid the most tragic circumstances to navigate.
With Ebon Moss-Bachrach having done so once, we can only expect a nuanced performance when it comes time to see him as The Thing. Once again, as aptly summarized by user @ryanarey on X, nothing says Ben Grimm better than the journey Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Richie takes in becoming the series’ MVP and fans’ most-beloved.
We can’t wait to root for another iconic portrayal by the Emmy-winning star.
Seasons 1 and 2 of The Bear are available for streaming on Hulu. Meanwhile, The Fantastic Four is scheduled to be released on July 25, 2025.
