John Malkovich On Why He Rejected Marvel Movies Before ‘Fantastic Four’: “You Don’t Want To Pay Me, It’s Cool, But Then I Don’t Want To Do It”

John Malkovich will be starring in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps this summer and recently opened up about why it took him this long to act in one.

In a new interview, Malkovich revealed the real reason he had not appeared in the MCU until now was due to pay.

“The reason I didn’t do them had nothing to do with any artistic considerations whatsoever,” Malkovich told GQ. “I didn’t like the deals they made, at all.”

He continued, “These films are quite grueling to make…. If you’re going to hang from a crane in front of a green screen for six months, pay me. You don’t want to pay me, it’s cool, but then I don’t want to do it, because I’d rather be onstage, or be directing a play, or doing something else.”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps was finally able to make a deal with Malkovich and make a Marvel movie, the actor says, “It’s not that dissimilar to doing theater,” adding, “You imagine a bunch of stuff that isn’t there and do your little play.”

Matt Shakman directed The Fantastic Four: First Steps, in which Malkovich will share credits with Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, and many more. The film is set to open in theaters on July 25, 2025.

Malkovich was recently confirmed to star in Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine, which will also star Mark Ruffalo and Sam Rockwell.

Malkovich recently wowed at Sundance in A24’s genre comedy Opus opposite Ayo Edebiri. He has garnered Supporting Actor Oscar nominations for Places in the Heart and In the Line of Fire, with other credits including his self-satirical turn in Being John Malkovich.