Doctor Who and Sherlock star Mark Gatiss has secretly joined the cast for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The upcoming film, the 37th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, follows the titular group of heroes as they protect their world from the planet-devouring Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
Whilst Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will understandably take centre stage as the quartet of heroes, the supporting cast will also have their role to play, with IGN reporting that Gatiss has joined the cast.
As per the report, the actor and writer, who is known for his collaborations with Steven Moffat, will play talk-show host Ted Gilbert, with the figure recapping the story of The Fantastic Four as they make an appearance on his show.
Gatiss, who co-created Dracula and Sherlock with Moffat, also had a starring role as Mycroft Holmes in the latter. In addition to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, he will also have a supporting role in another summer blockbuster, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.
Related: Fantastic Four fans think they know who Natasha Lyonne is playing
What to Read Next
Though he may now be part of the MCU, Gatiss wasn’t afforded the same grand treatment as some of his co-stars, with the cast for Avengers: Doomsday being unveiled in unusual fashion as each name was printed on the back of a chair.
The lengthy announcement, which ran for several hours, proved to be divisive amongst Marvel fans, with one quipping: “If the cast of Doomsday is literally so big this will run all day. That will literally [be] the funniest thing in the world.”
Related: Best streaming services
The reveal was also recently mocked by Sebastian Stan and David Harbour in a promotional video for the upcoming film Thunderbolts*, with the former beginning the clip by teasing a “huge” announcement.
“You’re going to want to sit down for this. Hey, can we get some chairs in here?” quipped Harbour as he referenced the Avengers: Doomsday casting announcement, with Stan replying: “They took all the chairs.”
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is released in cinemas on July 25.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
