Natasha Lyonne is set to make waves in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with her role in the upcoming film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, scheduled for release on July 25, 2025. While her character remains shrouded in mystery, hints dropped during promotional events have fans buzzing with speculation.
Lyonne joined the cast of the much-anticipated film back in May 2024. Although she initially kept her role under wraps, fans have taken notice of her after she voiced the original MCU character Byrdie in season 3 of What If…? Byrdie, who is described as the adult daughter of a variant Howard the Duck and Darcy Lewis, has elements within her narrative framework which could connect her to Lyonne's character.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet at the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards, Lyonne revealed, "I'm in Fantastic Four, so there is a lot of exercise training." When pressed for details about her character, she quipped, "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson… that's who I play… I’m under heavy ND [non-disclosure] agreements, I’m really sorry.” Her humorous deflection does little to clarify her actual role but leaves room for speculation.
Fans are quick to suggest possible characters, considering events from Marvel lore. One leading theory is her portrayal of Alicia Masters, known for her relationship with Ben Grimm, aka The Thing. This character has gained importance over the years, often perceived as the unofficial fifth member of the Fantastic Four team.
Commenting on her fellow cast members, Lyonne said, "I love [the cast], and, like, Pedro [Pascal] and Ebon [Moss-Bachrach] and I go back, Ebon and I go back about 20 years or something.” The inclusion of notable actors like John Malkovich alongside Lyonne hints at potential depth and interconnectedness within the film.
Speculations about Lyonne's character have led to various avenues of conjecture. With her skills and banter, many echo the theory of her embodying Alicia Masters, particularly as the character becomes increasingly active within the Marvel narrative under writers like Dan Slott and Ryan North. This progress has allowed her to take on more proactive roles, which aligns with Lyonne's own words about the physical training involved for the feature.
John Malkovich's involvement fuels discussions too. While rumors suggest he might play villain Ivan Kragoff—the Red Ghost—there is also chatter about his casting as Phillip Masters, Alicia's step-father and The Puppet Master, tying him directly to Lyonne’s potential role.
Interestingly, fans have floated the idea of Lyonne reprising her role from What If…? as Byrdie within the Fantastic Four cinematic universe. While this could forge an intriguing connection between animated stories and live-action adaptations, the compatibility of these characters remains uncertain.
More mystery surrounds Lyonne and her character as the film approaches its release date. With her confirmation as part of the cast, patience is running thin for eager fans. The combination of secrecy, ND obligations, and her absence from the teaser trailer only serves to intensify speculation.
Casting Lyonne is seen as the perfect fit for the role, especially considering how appealing she has made the character of Byrdie. A blend of humor and action would translate well on screen, and her past performances have definitely proven her capabilities.
Nonetheless, the tantalizing questions remain—Who really is Natasha Lyonne playing? Could she embody another character from Marvel’s storied past?
Whatever the case may be, Lyonne—known for her wit and adeptness at creating captivating characters—promises to bring her own unique flair to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans are forced to wait until more information is unveiled, all the meanwhile pondering the possible layers and narratives shaping her character.
The Marvel film universe is burgeoning and promises to deliver fresh narratives and characters, with Lyonne's addition being the latest exciting chapter. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to redefine how audiences connect not just to the titular heroes but also to the characters orbiting them, as the franchise evolves from its storied legacy.