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Marvel fans are in for a thrill as the third installment of the “Fantastic Four” franchise is on the way. The teaser was released recently, sparking mixed reactions regarding one of the main characters: The Thing.
On February 4, 2025, Marvel Entertainment released the official teaser for “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Some netizens focused on the voice-over for The Thing, or Ben Grimm's character, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
After seeing side-by-side images of Grimm in a suit and as The Thing, one X user commented, “Design is great, kinda wanted a little deeper on the voice. Just me.” Another person said, “I'm just gonna say it, The Thing sounds very weird without any gravel in his voice. Very weird.”
One individual wrote, “Can I be honest and say I'm a little disappointed The Thing is legit JUST Ebon's voice with no grumble or anything. Idk, [the] rest of the trailer is very appealing but something just feels off….like the voice doesn’t quite fit.”
Sharing a GIF of The Thing clapping, a fan lamented, “I loved the Fantastic Four First Steps trailer but the one thing I wasn't a big fan of is The Thing's voice they didn't even try to change his voice to make it a little rocky and I think The Thing should have a rocky voice it shouldn't just be the same as Ben's voice pre accident. [sic]”
Another X user echoed similar sentiments, saying, “It's not even as bad as people are making it out to be. Was Chiklis better? 100% but [sic] the part that ruined it for me is the voice. It sounds NOTHING like you'd expect Thing to sound. Sounded so much better in the Sony FF films.”
Someone else noted, “[I] checked out the Fantastic Four trailer. That voice just does not fit The Thing.” Reddit users also joined the discussion, with one person stating, “I wish the Thing's voice was rougher though Ebon [sic] seems to get across Ben's character well (though looks like it will be hard to top Michael Chiklis).”
The fan continued, “Johnny and Sue seem really good, can't judge Reed yet.” Noticing the same issue, another user said, “Love the vibes, set design, [and] music. Thing looks great and the focus on character is really nice to see. Gonna take a little while to get used to Thing's voice. It's a little higher than usually portrayed.”
A disappointed fan complained, “the thing's voice just doesn't sound right, his look… i can get over pretty quickly, it looks goofy, like a rock beanie on top of his head, but the voice. not a fan. [sic]”
According to Marvel's website, the movie—set to release in theaters on July 25—is created in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. It introduces the First Family, comprising Reed Richards, or Mister Fantastic; Sue Storm, or Invisible Woman; Johnny Storm, or Human Torch; and, of course, Grimm as The Thing.
The film's star-studded cast includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles.
The first “Fantastic Four” movie was released in 2005, starring Ioan Gruffudd as Reed, Michael Chiklis as Ben, Chris Evans as Johnny, and Jessica Alba as Sue.
The sequel, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” was released in 2007 and featured the original film's four main actors reprising their roles. In 2015, another “Fantastic Four” movie came out, starring Kate Mara as Sue and Michael B. Jordan as Johnny.
Miles Teller played Reed, while Jamie Bell took on the role of Ben.
