A new photo from the set of The Fantastic Four: First Steps has found its way online and features a first look at Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Thing...with the biggest surprise being that he's practical, not VFX!
In 2005's Fantastic Four and its sequel, 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, actor Michael Chiklis donned a practical costume to bring The Thing to life on screen.
It worked for the time, but in Josh Trank's 2015 reboot, Jamie Bell's take on the character was realised with visual effects (outside of the so-so design, he looked great). Now, we have a first look at The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing!
Shockingly, he too appears to be practical; as of now, we don't know whether there's an actor - presumably Ebon Moss-Bachrach - in the suit or whether this is simply a stand-in meant to serve as a reference for actors and visual effects artists. Based on the few seconds of footage we have, it does look like someone's in there.
This being a stand-in perhaps makes the most sense, though a practical Thing (whose face, for example, is enhanced with VFX) could suit the Marvel Studios reboot's 1960s aesthetic.
Still, it's worth remembering what Moss-Bachrach said earlier this year. "In the past, I think they’ve done a suit. Michael Chiklis wore a suit that apparently was really uncomfortable, and it’s kind of...we’re past that," the actor explained while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. "It’s a little kind of cosplay, kind of amateur that kind of stuff now with the technology we have."
Asked about his preparation, the Andor star added, "I'm playing Ben Grimm, who becomes The Thing – who is a man encased in rock. [laughs] I've just been looking at rocks. What am I doing? I don't know, I've been reading a lot of comics. It's kinda nice. They gave me this kind of Marvel Unlimited thing so I can just go on my iPad and to any comic book that Marvel's ever released. That feels kinda cool."