It’s about time. Honestly, after years of rumors, false starts, and that one gritty 2015 reboot we’d all probably like to collectively forget, the MCU is finally bringing Marvel's First Family home. But the question everyone keeps asking isn't just about the blue jumpsuits or the plot. People want to know about Ben Grimm. Specifically, they want to know about the The Thing actor Fantastic Four fans have been buzzing about since the casting was made official: Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
If you’ve watched The Bear, you know him as Richie. He’s loud, he’s abrasive, and he’s got a heart of gold buried under about fifteen layers of insecurity and Cousin-energy. It turns out, that’s exactly the kind of DNA you need to play a man trapped inside a body of orange rock.
Why Ebon Moss-Bachrach is the Perfect Ben Grimm
Casting Ben Grimm is a nightmare for a studio. You need someone who can play the "muscle," sure, but the Thing isn't just a brute. He’s a pilot. He’s a Jewish kid from Yancy Street. He’s a guy who looks in the mirror and sees a monster, even though he’s the most human person on the team.
Moss-Bachrach brings a specific kind of "blue-collar intellectual" vibe that the previous films never quite nailed. Michael Chiklis was great, don't get me wrong. He had the look and the warmth. Jamie Bell was an inspired, if slightly misplaced, choice for a younger, more cynical take. But Moss-Bachrach? He has this incredible ability to be vulnerable while screaming at the top of his lungs.
That's Ben Grimm.
The MCU version, officially titled The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is leaning heavily into a retro-futuristic 1960s aesthetic. This changes the game for the The Thing actor Fantastic Four producers chose. We aren't looking at a modern-day scientist; we're looking at a mid-century test pilot. Think Chuck Yeager, but if he turned into a walking tectonic plate.
No More Rubber Suits
Let’s be real. The 2005 suit was iconic in its own way, but it restricted movement. It looked like a very expensive Halloween costume because, well, it was. This time around, Marvel is going full performance capture.
During his press tours and various interviews, Moss-Bachrach has been pretty open about the process. He isn't sitting in a makeup chair for six hours a day. Instead, he’s wearing the "pajamas"—the grey motion capture suit with the dots. This allows his actual facial expressions to translate to the rock. If Ben Grimm looks sad, it’s because Ebon’s eyes are doing the work.
It’s a huge relief.
Why? Because the Thing’s tragedy is in his face. If you can't see the soul behind the stone, the character fails.
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The Yancy Street Connection
One of the most important aspects of Ben Grimm that fans are dying to see is his Jewish heritage. For a long time, this was glossed over in the movies. In the comics, Jack Kirby—who co-created the character with Stan Lee—infused Ben with his own experiences growing up in the Lower East Side.
Ben Grimm is a Jewish icon.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who is also Jewish, brings an inherent authenticity to this. There’s been a lot of talk among the fanbase about whether we’ll finally see a Bar Mitzvah flashback or even just a Mezuzah on the door of the Baxter Building. It matters. It’s part of the "Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing" persona. He’s a guy who fights for his neighborhood as much as he fights for the planet.
Comparing the Thing Actors Through History
It is wild to look back at how we got here.
- The 1994 Unreleased Film: Carl Ciarfalio wore a suit that honestly looked better than it had any right to, considering the budget was basically a ham sandwich. It was never officially released, but the bootlegs show a Thing that was very comic-accurate in silhouette.
- The 2005/2007 Era: Michael Chiklis was the definitive Ben for a generation. He brought the "clobberin' time" energy, but the movies themselves were a bit too "Saturday morning cartoon" for some.
- The 2015 "Fant4stic": Jamie Bell played a version of Ben that felt more like a victim of a body-horror movie. It was dark. It was gritty. It also missed the point that the Fantastic Four are supposed to be a family, not a group of traumatized government assets.
Now, we have the The Thing actor Fantastic Four needs for a shared universe. Moss-Bachrach has to play well with Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), and Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm). That’s a powerhouse cast. The chemistry has to be instant.
The Physicality of the Role
Ben Grimm is 6'6" and weighs 500 pounds (at least). Ebon is... not that.
The challenge of being the The Thing actor Fantastic Four fans expect is occupying that space. Even in mocap, you have to walk differently. You have to carry yourself like you have weight. Moss-Bachrach has mentioned in passing that he’s been looking at reference material for how heavy objects move.
It’s not just about being "the strong guy." It’s about the burden.
What This Means for the MCU’s Future
We are entering a phase where the Avengers aren't the only big players anymore. With the Fantastic Four set in an alternate-reality 1960s New York, the dynamic is fresh. Ben Grimm is the heart of that group. He’s the one who keeps Reed grounded. He’s the one who trades barbs with Johnny.
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Expect Moss-Bachrach to become a staple of the franchise. This isn't a one-and-done deal. We’re looking at Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Ben Grimm is going to be central to those stories.
Honestly, seeing Ebon’s Ben Grimm interact with someone like Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner is the kind of crossover stuff dreams are made of. Two guys who are "monsters" but just want to be human? That’s gold.
Dealing with the "Cousin" Comparisons
It’s inevitable. People are going to see Richie from The Bear in the Thing. And you know what? That’s fine. Richie is a man who feels obsolete, who feels like he’s being left behind by a world that’s moving too fast. That is exactly who Ben Grimm is when he first transforms. He’s a man who can’t hold his wife, can’t walk down the street without being stared at, and feels like a relic.
The "Cousin" energy—that abrasive, defensive shell—is the perfect mask for Ben Grimm’s pain.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking to get ahead of the hype before the movie drops, there are a few things you should probably do.
First, go read The Thing: Night Falls on Yancy Street. It’s a fantastic limited series that really gets into the psyche of Ben Grimm. It’ll give you a better idea of why Ebon was cast.
Second, keep an eye on the first appearances. Fantastic Four #1 is obviously out of reach for most, but look for mid-run issues where Ben deals with his humanity. Those stories are what the MCU is likely pulling from.
Third, watch Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s earlier work. Don't just stick to The Bear. Watch The Punisher (he played Micro) to see how he handles being the "guy in the chair" who eventually has to get his hands dirty. He knows how to play characters who are smarter than they look and more hurt than they let on.
The Tech Behind the Rocks
Kevin Feige has hinted that the visual effects for the Thing are pushing some new boundaries. They aren't just using standard CGI. They are looking at "physical based rendering" to make the rocks look like actual geological structures. This means the The Thing actor Fantastic Four hired has to be even more precise. Every twitch of his cheek has to translate through "granite."
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It’s a massive responsibility.
Final Thoughts on the Casting
Is Ebon Moss-Bachrach the best choice? Probably. He’s an actor’s actor. He doesn't care about looking cool; he cares about being real. In a world of capes and cosmic rays, that's what keeps us watching.
Ben Grimm isn't a superhero because he’s strong. He’s a superhero because he gets back up, even when he feels like a freak. Ebon gets that. He’s spent his career playing guys who are struggling to find their place.
Now, he’s found it in a pile of orange rocks.
What to Watch Next
- The Bear (Hulu): To see Ebon’s range and "Ben Grimm-lite" temper.
- The Punisher (Disney+): To see him in a darker Marvel context.
- Girls (Max): A totally different side of his acting that shows his comedic timing.
The path to The Fantastic Four: First Steps is long, but for the first time in twenty years, it feels like we’re on the right track. The casting of the The Thing actor Fantastic Four was the final piece of the puzzle that made fans realize: okay, they’re actually taking this seriously this time.
Keep an eye on the leaked set photos. Even in his mocap gear, you can see the way Ebon carries himself. He’s not Ebon anymore. He’s Ben. And that’s exactly what we need.
Key Takeaways for Fans:
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach will use full performance capture (CGI) rather than a physical suit.
- The film is set in a 1960s alternate universe, influencing Ben Grimm's pilot background.
- This version will likely emphasize Ben's Jewish heritage more than previous iterations.
- Moss-Bachrach was chosen for his ability to balance tough-guy exterior with deep emotional vulnerability.
Make sure to follow the official Marvel social channels for the first look at the CGI render of the Thing, which is expected to debut at the next major Disney convention.