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John Malkovich has been removed from The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The 71-year-old actor was supposed to play the role of villain Ivan Kragoff/Red Ghost in the new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) blockbuster. However, director Matt Shakman disclosed that Malkovich's scenes were ultimately left out because they did not align with the storyline, which features Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as the heroic group.
In an interview with Variety, Shakman explained, "There were many elements that ended up on the cutting room floor."
Shakman had collaborated with Malkovich before on Cut Bank in 2014 and expressed his regret in excluding the actor from the final version of the movie.
Earlier this year, Malkovich mentioned that he had declined various Marvel movie offers in the past due to unfavorable contract terms.
He emphasized, "The reason I turned them down had nothing to do with artistic reasons. I was not pleased with the deals being offered. These films are physically demanding to make... If you want me to hang from a crane in front of a green screen for six months, then pay me."
Malkovich noted the similarities between a Marvel production and stage performances when he accepted the role.
He reflected on his challenging experience voicing Dr. Octavius Brine in the 2014 animated film Penguins of Madagascar, where he recorded numerous variations of each line.
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