Michael Chiklis has debunked rumors that he is reprising his Fantastic Four role as The Thing for Deadpool 3 after a "fake" set photo surfaced online, though he claims to know who is getting the role.
Chiklis, who played The Thing in Fox's 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four films, took to X/Twitter to set the record straight on the photo that "leaked" during production of Deadpool 3. The image in question appears to show the actor wearing a bodysuit similar to the one The Thing would have worn, standing in front of Deadpool.
FYI folks… This is a FAKE. Sorry to disappoint. So many people have asked about it, I feel it’s necessary to clear this up. I do know who they’re casting though. Not my place to tell but I will say this. I’m a fan of his work and I wish him luck and success with it. pic.twitter.com/y9nYI8MFM7
— Michael Chiklis (@MichaelChiklis) February 8, 2024
"FYI folks… This is a FAKE," Chiklis declared to his followers in a post that featured the viral image. "Sorry to disappoint. So many people have asked about it, I feel it's necessary to clear this up. I do know who they're casting though. Not my place to tell but I will say this. I'm a fan of his work and I wish him luck and success with it."
Fantastic Four rumors have swept social media sites for years. Reports had, at one point, spread the word that The Boys' Jack Quaid would appear as Johnny Storm before he outright denied the speculation last summer. Adam Driver's name was floated around for Reed Richards, although a more recent report said Pedro Pascal was in talks for the role.
The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bachrach recently commented on the rumors that he would show up to play The Thing in the long-awaited MCU entry, but he didn't give much away. And long before that, Jack Black threw his proverbial hat in the ring for the role, saying it would be "rad to be that rock dude from the Fantastic Four."
Deadpool 3 is the only MCU movie scheduled for 2024, so it has attracted plenty of attention and more than a few spoilers, set leaks, and photos in recent months. While Fantastic Four, directed by Matt Shakman, is slated to arrive on May 2, 2025, but is being kept largely under wraps, with no official casting details announced yet.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter @AdeleAnkers.
