The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn't just mark the arrival of Marvel's first family into the MCU, it also introduces us all to their adorable helper robot HERBIE.
In the comics, even when the Fantastic Four have tackled a whole host of intergalactic threats, they've had the assistance of HERBIE so it's only right that he's making his big-screen debut here. (A deactivated HERBIE was seen in the extended cut of 2005's Fantastic Four, so that doesn't count.)
If you're wondering who's voicing the team's clanking companion, a familiar voice is lending their vocals to HERBIE who you'll have heard in another major Disney franchise.
Who's voicing HERBIE in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Helping bring HERBIE to life is voice actor Matthew Wood, whose impressive CV includes additional voices in the likes of Star Trek Into Darkness and Knives Out, as well as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (as the Quantumnauts).
In terms of his most notable role though, Wood voiced General Grievous in 2005's Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. While the wheezing warlord was accused of being vastly underused in the prequel trilogy's concluding chapter, Wood returned to voice Grievous in The Clone Wars and Tales of the Jedi, while also providing additional voices to many other Star Wars projects.
Wood has something of an affinity with robots, famously providing sound editing for WALL-E and picking up an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Editing. Ironic that he's now the voice of the WALL-E-esque HERBIE.
What to Read Next
Despite the movie boasting a stacked character list, it's important not to underestimate the importance of HERBIE in the ensemble. He was right there on set, with a team of five operating the robot, before VFX enhancements creating his rolling and hovering effects.
"He's absolutely as important and as alive as any other member of the cast. He's sometimes a slightly put-upon robot, but he is definitely a member of the family. He's just so charming and adorable," director Matt Shakman told Empire.
"He is really Reed's right hand in the lab, capable of assisting him on any sort of experiment, always by his side, whether in New York City or out in space."
Conceived for 1978's The New Fantastic Four animated series, Stan Lee pitched HERBIE (Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics) as a replacement for the Human Torch because the character had been optioned out for a solo movie that never occurred.
The legendary Jack Kirby designed HERBIE and, in a tragic turn, he ended up being the artist's final work for Marvel. The team's robotic buddy soon crossed over to the comics for 1979's Fantastic Four #209.
Much like how there are fictionalised versions of the Fantastic Four in the new movie, HERBIE's comic book backstory revealed how Johnny Storm didn't show up to a meeting with a cartoon company and was replaced by him in an animated series based on the team.
Created by Mister Fantastic and Master Xar of the Xandarians to help track down Galactus, there was a major twist when it was revealed that HERBIE had been possessed by the villainous Doctor Sun and become a sleeper agent. Realising Doctor Sun could take control of him again, HERBIE threw himself into the Baxter Building computer.
Thankfully, this wasn't the end for HERBIE, with Mark II quickly being built as Franklin Richards' babysitter, which is nodded to in the movie when HERBIE has to take care of Franklin during the final battle with Galactus.
Sure, he's a bit rubbish at it, but we'll forgive him anything.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in cinemas now.
Digital Spy's new print issue is here! Buy Oasis - Live in '25 in newsagents or online, now priced at just £8.99.
Tom Chapman is a pop culture-loving writer and NCTJ-accredited Broadcast Journalist with over seven years of experience covering the small and silver screen.
Starting his career with a post at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom took on freelancing full-time with regular stints at Digital Spy, Screen Rant and Comic Book Resources.
These days, you can still find him covering all things Marvel and Star Wars at Digital Spy, while dipping his toe in bylines at Yahoo! and IGN.
Tom likes to think his spirit animal is a cross between Gale Weathers and Olenna Tyrell.
