Lucifer star Tom Ellis has revealed that he came close to joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, auditioning for the role of Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
In a recent interview with Square Mile, the 45-year-old British actor shared that he was among a select few invited to audition before Pedro Pascal ultimately secured the part. “There was a select group of people that got asked to tape for Reed Richards,” Ellis explained. “I remember looking at the comic version of Richards and thinking, ‘This could be the one. We look quite similar.’”
Although Ellis didn’t land the iconic superhero role, he took the outcome in stride, even joking, “To be fair, he’s not in much,” before expressing admiration for Pascal’s performance. “He is great. I’m looking forward to seeing it. The trailer looks quite fun.”
The Lucifer actor reflected on how moments like this fuel his dedication to acting. “We live for the ‘what-if-ness’ of it. We’re all dreamers in this industry, and that’s what drives us,” he said.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been praised for its casting and visuals, with fans eager to see Pascal’s portrayal of the Marvel hero. The film is currently available on digital and Blu-ray, with a Disney+ release expected soon.