Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is currently deep into a press tour for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige has been promoting Brand New Day by talking about the evolution not only of Spider-Man, but the entire MCU as well.
The MCU has been in a point of change for many years now. In the post Avengers: Endgame era, Feige has focused on the multiverse as the centerpiece of the franchise’s overarching story. The Fantastic Four were a huge part of this development, and it’s why The Fantastic Four: First Steps took so long to complete, as Feige was focused on getting the film right.
Casting was a core reason behind the film’s extensive pre-production. Many actors circled the main roles, and rumors swirled that Feige had approached the likes of Margot Robbie to play members of Marvel’s first family. Another actor that Feige spoke to regarding a key role in First Steps was Adam Driver, best known for his role as Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
Driver was courted for the role of Reed Richards, but eventually passed. Feige revealed on the new press tour that this was one of many roles that he had envisioned for Driver to play, but that the actor regularly passes on these pitches. Ultimately, a Marvel role would be an interesting career pivot for Driver, but Disney should focus on something else first — bringing him back to Star Wars.
The MCU Has Wanted Adam Driver To Join For Years
Credit: Abaca Press/INSTARimages
While speaking on Joshua Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Kevin Feige was asked about the development of The Fantastic Four in the MCU. The topic of Adam Driver eventually came into the conversation, and it’s here that Feige explained the conversations he’s had with the actor.
“It’s no secret we’d like to [work with Adam]. But it’s a tradition to Zoom with him and then he passes. That’s a long-lived tradition. He couldn’t be more cordial. He is usually upfront about how he is feeling.”
Feige regularly speaks about Star Wars as an inspiration for the MCU, and he has gone to a galaxy far, far away before to cast for Marvel. Harrison Ford, for example, became the latest Star Wars actor to join the MCU when he played President Ross in Captain America: Brave New World. It appears that Feige wants Driver to become the next in the long line of actors in both franchises, although Driver has rejected those advances (for now, at least).
Disney Is Better Off Focusing On Bringing Driver Back To Star Wars First
Interestingly, as Feige sought Driver for the role of Reed Richards, the actor was deep into the development of The Hunt for Ben Solo, the film which would have showed how the title hero survived the events of The Rise of Skywalker. Driver was reportedly passionate about the project, and Star Wars fans have been too ever since news of the project came out.
Even as The Hunt for Ben Solo didn’t work out in the end, Driver is clearly open to returning to a galaxy far, far away. Disney should focus on bringing him back, then, as opposed to putting all their efforts into securing his signature for a Marvel role. There’s still the potential for more Kylo Ren/ Ben Solo stories to tell, and Driver is open to making that happen.
That isn’t to say that there aren’t Marvel roles that could work for Driver in the future, as there are plenty of comic book characters that the actor would be well suited for. However, a Star Wars return for Driver as Ben Solo feels more natural at this point, and Disney should put their energy into making this happen.
- TV Show(s)
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The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions
- Cast
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Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal
- Movie(s)
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Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order