MCU’s Fantastic Four: First Steps is going to be big and one of the stars, Natasha Lyonne, is super stoked! In an interview with ScreenRant, she called it “amazing.”
Natasha Lyonne, known for her witty humor in Orange Is the New Black and Poker Face, is in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, out July 25, 2025. At a Smurfs movie event, Lyonne told ScreenRant, “I’m really excited and the movie is extraordinary.“I think everyone will really love it and I’m proud to be a part of it.” But here’s the thing—she didn’t say what her role is. When asked, she replied, “I’m just trying to respect Marvel’s traditions,” hinting at Marvel Studios’ famous secrecy.
So who is she playing?
The ScreenRant article doesn’t say and neither does she! Fans are guessing a lot, with many thinking she might be Alicia Masters, the blind sculptor who is Ben Grimm’s love interest in the comics. This got more likely when Lyonne was spotted with Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays the Thing, in a friendly photo taken in London. They’ve been friends for 25 years—she’s been calling him “Young Gun” for that long—and that could create great on screen chemistry.
Another idea is she’s voicing H. E. R. B. I. E., the team’s funny robot. She did voice work for Byrdie in What If. . . ? Season 3. Some people think she might be a powerful character like Frankie Raye’s Nova or even a female Doctor Doom, but that’s a bit far fetched. Whatever she’s playing, she’s really excited so it’s gotta be important!
Why is she so stoked?
The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place in an alternate universe inspired by the 1960s which is a big change for the MCU. Directed by Matt Shakman, who did WandaVision, this film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. They’ll be fighting Ralph Ineson who plays Galactus and Julia Garner who plays Silver Surfer. Lyonne’s comment about “Interstellar-type stuff” to Vanity Fair means there’s big cosmic stuff involved. ScreenRant says the movie focuses on the team’s family bond and its colorful comic book origins which might make it special in Phase Six.
Lyonne’s not just talking out of her butt—test screenings and a scene after the credits have already gotten fans hyped according to The Hollywood Reporter. The movie hints at connections to multiple universes shown in Thunderbolts’ end credits. This means the Fantastic Four will be going to Earth-616 and leading into Avengers: Doomsday. With Michael Giacchino’s awesome music and a real 14-foot spaceship model, this is a love letter to the fans.
