Actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach is set to bring Ben Grimm, a.k.a. The Thing, to life in the highly anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe film ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Known for his standout role in ‘The Bear’, Moss-Bachrach is finally stepping into the world of superheroes.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ to see if Moss-Bachrach’s portrayal lives up to the hype. While he remained tight-lipped about potential cameos, his passion for the role was evident in his remarks.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach Did Not Deny Robert Downey Jr. Rumors
During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ebon Moss-Bachrach sidestepped any questions about the film’s rumored inclusion of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. It’s widely known among comic book fans that Dr. Doom is the Fantastic Four’s iconic nemesis.
So, the speculation around his appearance in the film has been swirling since Downey’s role’s announcement. Moss-Bachrach, however, did not let anything slip. When Kimmel pressed for details about his experience on set and his dynamic with Downey, “Yeah, we live together. Yeah, he asked me to move in,” the actor joked.
While his tongue-in-cheek response provided little clarity, Moss-Bachrach did tease a glimpse into the creative process behind his portrayal of Ben Grimm. Additionally, the actor emphasized the importance of balancing the Thing’s physical presence with his emotional depth.
“Ben Grimm is more than just a rock-covered bruiser,” he said. “He’s got this incredible heart and a deep well of vulnerability beneath the tough exterior. That’s what makes him such a compelling character.” Moreover, Moss-Bachrach described his experience on set as both challenging and rewarding. “The motion-capture suit isn’t the most comfortable thing to wear,” he admitted.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach Aims To Give Fans A Comic-Accurate Representation Of The Thing
Fans of the ‘Fantastic Four’ will be excited to hear that Ebon Moss-Bachrach is fully embracing the Thing’s iconic traits, including his signature catchphrase, “It’s clobberin’ time.” During his interview, he confirmed slipping the line into a few scenes, though he admitted with a laugh, “I don’t have final cut on this one, so we’ll see.”
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The actor also revealed that Andy Serkis and his renowned motion-capture studio, The Imaginarium, played a pivotal role in transforming him into the hulking hero. “Andy is like the godfather of motion capture,” Moss-Bachrach said. “At Pinewood Studios, they have this incredible setup called the magic mirror. You wear the suit with sensors, and in real-time, It’s surreal.”
Unlike previous iterations of the character, this version leans heavily on advanced motion capture technology. Moss-Bachrach explained how the process captures every nuance of his performance. “I wear a suit with two cameras pointed at my face, so they’re capturing everything, every expression, every little flicker in my eyes. It’s incredibly detailed,” he said.
However, not every fan-favorite trait made the cut. When Kimmel jokingly asked if Ben Grimm would be smoking a cigar, Moss-Bachrach chuckled and replied, “No, it’s a Disney film. Imagine Captain America and Agent Carter chain-smoking in The First Avenger! It wouldn’t fly.” Still, the actor expressed excitement about giving fans a faithful live-action depiction of the Thing.
