Joseph Quinn’s popularity increased following his scene-stealing role as Eddie in Stranger Things season 4. Before that, the actor had small roles in films like Overlord, and Hoard. He played Arthur Havisham in the BBC series Dickensian and Leonard Bast in Howards End. He is currently one of the rising stars whom people are excited about.
Quinn landed his biggest role as he has been tapped in to play Johnny Storm/ Human Torch in the upcoming Fantastic Four film. In the current climate where the discourse around superhero movie fatigue has become notoriously popular, Quinn promised that his Fantastic Four film will be a unique Marvel film that will change that perception.
Joseph Quinn Promises a Singular and Compelling Fantastic Four Film
Marvel Studios recently announced the cast of the upcoming Fantastic Four film. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn will be playing Reed Richards, Sue Storm, The Thing, and the Human Torch. A lot is riding on the film as the previous live-action incarnations of the team have not been received well by audiences.
The new Fantastic Film also comes at a time when superhero films have been getting a bad reputation and superhero fatigue is now a big point of discussion among fans. Quinn recently talked to Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming MCU film and taking over from Chris Evans who made the role very popular.
Quinn revealed that the script of the new Fantastic Four film is very singular compared to previous Marvel entries and that immediately felt compelling to him. The actor is aware of the responsibility of playing the Human torch and claims that as long as people care about the characters and the spectacle, they will continue supporting these films. He said,
“There are aspects of it that are very different to other Marvel films. There are aspects of it that are very much a singular thing and its own thing. That felt very compelling to me. The script is brilliant. It’s really brilliant.
Superhero movies are movies, and they’re movies about people,” Quinn says. “If we’re invested in the people and the characters and the peril and the spectacle, then that’s why people go to the theaters to watch films.”
The film interestingly reunites Quinn with director Matt Shakman, who directed him in an episode of Game of Thrones (season 7), where he played the character Koner (and also Stranger Things). He gave a shoutout to Chris Evans’ portrayal of Human Torch in the Tim Story Fantastic Four films and it remains to be seen how he approaches the same character in the new film.
Connie Nielson Coached Joseph Quinn On Sets of Gladiator II
Ridley Scott and Connie Nielsen are returning to the world of Gladiator with the 2024 sequel film. Set 15 years after the first film, the sequel is led by a grown-up Lucius played by Paul Mescal. Joseph Quinn also stars as co-emperor Caracalla in the film. Entering a sequel that follows the legacy of the Oscar-winning Gladiator was a nerve-wracking experience for Quinn.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor revealed that all the cast members were aware of the significance of the first film. Filming in the Colosseum on such a grand scale and ambition for Gladiator II was new to him. Nielsen, who returns as Lucius’ mother Lucilla, became his guiding light throughout filming and Quinn complimented her for having a calming presence. He said,
“We all were very aware of the legacy of the first film,” he explains. “So many people get misty-eyed about it. So going anywhere near it again felt a little scary. It’s bonkers, it’s nuts. That’s the thing with working on a film like that. The fact that on a film of that scale, they built ancient Rome in Malta and to bear witness to that is truly awesome. Connie Nielsen came in to show us how to behave in the Colosseum. I was very nervous about it, and she was a very calming presence. She’s a wonderful woman.”
Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, and May Calamawy also star in the film. Audiences at CinemaCon were treated to new footage from the film that showed all the principal characters in action. Quinn also has A Quiet Place: Day One up for release on June 28, 2024. With all these exciting projects, fans are witnessing the rise of a new superstar.
Gladiator II hits theatres on November 22, 2024.
The Fantastic Four will be released in theatres on July 25, 2025.
