Fantastic Four: Austin Butler being “pushed” to play the Human Torch

Cameron Frew
Austin Butler in Elvis and the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four movie

Elvis star Austin Butler is being earmarked by his agents for a particular hot-ticket Marvel role: the Human Torch in the MCU Fantastic Four movie.

This year, Butler has gone stratospheric. After a brief, commanding turn in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he transformed into the King of Rock for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis.

Next year, he’ll play Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part 2, the villainous foil to Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides earlier portrayed by Sting in David Lynch’s original adaptation.

It’s clear: he’s the next big movie star, and if his agents have their way, he’ll take on the coolest role in the Fantastic Four.

Austin Butler “pushed” for Human Torch in MCU Fantastic Four

According to Jeff Sneider, a notable reporter and insider with a solid track record, Butler’s agents have been “putting him up” for the role of Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in the MCU Fantastic Four movie.

Speaking on The Hot Mic podcast, Sneider admitted it was a “thin” rumor. “Obviously, that’s the hot comic book movie, right? Everyone wants to be part of the MCU in general… and the two crown jewels coming up are Fantastic Four and X-Men,” he said.

The Human Torch was famously played by Chris Evans in Fox’s original Fantastic Four movies, prior to his tenure as Steve Rogers/Captain America in the MCU.

No casting has been announced for the Fantastic Four movie, but rumors have swirled around the likes of Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Jamie Dornan, Penn Badgley, and even the possibility of Evans reprising his role in some capacity. One thing is certain: John Krasinski will not play Reed Richards.

Following the news that Henry Cavill will no longer be returning for Superman, fans also put Butler forward as a possible replacement, given his fruitful relationship with Warner Bros. right now.

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