Black Actors Who Would Be Fantastic As the MCU’s Reed Richards

Aldis Hodge has experience playing the smartest man in the room and a captivating action hero, so he’s pretty much perfect for the role.

His work in Chevalier showed off his extraordinary potential, which let the world know that he’s ready to jump into his leading man era.

On Atlanta, LaKeith Stanfield always kept us guessing about where he would take the character. In the predictable world of comic book movies, it would be very interesting to see how he brings his unique style to Reed’s awkward nature.

Reed Richards is a genius, but he’s not a conventional hero. This often leads to hilariously awkward and unexpected moments between him and his fellow heroes. Abbott Elementary’s Tyler James Williams’ pitch perfect comedic timing would be perfect for these moments.

Jeremy Pope has a way of making every role his own. Since we’ve already seen a couple of Reed Richards on-screen adaptations, his fascinating character work would instantly set this one apart from the others.

On The CW’s The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, Keiynan Lonsdale showed that he’s very comfortable blending the action of the superhero world with its inherent absurdity.

I know we say John Boyega is perfect for every role, but that’s only because he is. Reed Richards is the smartest man in the world, so he should have a little swagger. If you’re looking for someone who can be a little weird, but also cocky, look no further.

In The Creator, John David Washington was an empathetic action hero. He demonstrated how important compassion is in these movies. It can’t be all fights and explosions all the time. There has to be a character worth rooting for.

Yes, Shameik Moore is the voice of Miles Morales, but the combination of brilliance and confidence that he brings to Spider-Man would also make him a cool Mr. Fantastic.

From Straight Outta Compton, to In the Heights, to The Tragedy of Macbeth, Corey Hawkins brings a gravitas to his work that would be perfect for a Reed Richards who has been doing this hero thing for awhile.

If you’re looking for a Reed Richards who’s got a little dirt on his shoulders and isn’t always the awkward nerd, O’Shea Jackson Jr. could be an interesting choice.

Alfred Enoch has the emotional range needed for Reed’s struggle to balance his scientific brilliance with his moral responsibility.

Jacob Anderson portrays likable characters who have a layer of darkness simmering under their non-threatening exteriors. Reed Richards is a good guy, but it would be interesting to see the toll the pressure takes on him.

On Doctor Who, Tosin Cole’s Ryan was an awkward guy with a chip on his shoulder, who ends up becoming a reluctant hero. Add in the mature, grounded work he did in 61st Street and he’s tailor made for this role.

No matter what’s going on, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is always the most interesting person on screen. His captivating presence would make Reed’s brilliance even more fascinating.