Marvel Cuts John Malkovich From Fantastic Four Film

John Malkovich was cast as the Marvel villain Ivan Kragoff, also known as the Red Ghost, in Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but his role was ultimately cut from the film. Director Matt Shakman explained that while Malkovich delivered a brilliant performance, the film's crowded ensemble cast and the need to balance multiple storylines, including the introduction of the main characters and a child character, led to significant scenes being removed for pacing and narrative focus. The Red Ghost and his Super-Apes appeared in an early action sequence involving a sabotage in 1960s New York City, but this sequence was cut as it did not fit the final story arc. Shakman expressed heartfelt regret over the decision, praising Malkovich as a personal inspiration and an accomplished actor and theater director. The cut scenes featuring Malkovich might appear in a director's cut or special features upon the film's digital release. Fans can still see Malkovich briefly in the film's initial teaser trailer released earlier in the year.