The Fantastic Four Star Paul Walter Hauser Teases Mystery Role, Prompting Speculation From Fans
"It's a very distinct character."
Paul Walter Hauser has confirmed that his mystery role in The Fantastic Four is a character from Marvel Comics, and fans think they have already figured out who he is playing.
A report from Deadline earlier this month revealed Hauser had joined the cast of The Fantastic Four, but details were under wraps. The actor has now broken his silence on his secret MCU role and let slip he is playing an established character from the comics, saying he is "excited" to bring them to life on the screen.
"It's a very distinct character that I'm excited to play.
"All I can say is that I, in some iteration, am in the movie The Fantastic Four until I get fired or recast," Hauser told Screen Rant in a recent interview. "So I can't say anything about the character I'm playing but know that it is in the sort of lexicon and mythology of The Fantastic Four stories. And it's a very distinct character that I'm excited to play, and I'm kind of mapping out what I'm doing with that right now."
Hauser hasn't given away too many clues about who he is portraying at this early stage, but that hasn't stopped fans from speculating. People immediately took to X/Twitter to share their suggestions, and one recurring name came up: Mole Man.
Clearly Mole-Man with the epic battle from Fantastic Four #1 at the beginning of the movie pic.twitter.com/cpls2Mgwns— Doctor Doom (@DoctorrDoom) May 14, 2024
Fingers crossed he plays either Mole Man or HERBIE pic.twitter.com/ppzh5e6BOX— Milkias Samuel (@milkias_samuel) May 14, 2024
My guess is he’s playing mole man as an appetizer villain at the beginning of the movie to showcase who the fantastic 4 are.— The Guy (@BlackRomba) May 14, 2024
He’s Mole man. I wonder if that means John Malkovich is Herbie or Franklin Storm. I would say Puppet master but we would need Alicia Masters for that story to be impactful.— Colby_R (@Colfern326) May 14, 2024
Mole Man. I'm 80% sure about that. He was born for this role.? pic.twitter.com/PolcdORHO9— H.H.Harcoy / Harcoy Harcoy Harcoy (@HHarcoy) May 15, 2024
I think he will be interesting for the part.. pic.twitter.com/Fd2iyJVZf9— Liberty Forever (@Love4MyLiberty) May 14, 2024
Harvey Elder, aka the Mole Man, isn't just one of the Fantastic Four's most recurring villains; he is also their first, making his debut in the landmark Fantastic Four #1 comic issue by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. He is just one of many colorful rogues that could show up to confront Marvel's First Family in Matt Shakman's upcoming film.
If Hauser is taking on the Mole Man persona, that shatters David Krumholtz's hopes of starring in the role. The actor previously shared a plea for the part online, writing, "I mean, it's a shoe-in for Mole Man, isn't it? But I don't know. I'll do anything Marvel tells me to. I'll probably end up playing like a superhero's therapist."
Hauser joins a stacked cast that includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. Ralph Ineson will play Galactus, and John Malkovich is in a mystery role, while Julia Garner will reportedly star as the Silver Surfer.
The Fantastic Four will hit theaters on July 25, 2025. That means we have three MCU movies — Deadpool and Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World, and Thunderbolts — to watch before that date arrives, along with a few Disney+ shows.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter here.
