John Malkovich Erased from ‘Fantastic Four
Marcus Thompson 
Key Takeaways
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- The Red Ghost character, played by John Malkovich in the initial Fantastic Four script, was removed from the final cut of the movie.
- Julia Garners Silver Surfer assumed an antagonistic role in the film, replacing the Red Ghost in sabotaging Reed Richards plan to save Earth from Galactus.
- Director Matt Shakman confirmed that these changes deviated from the original vision for the film, but were made to improve the movies pace and focus on the main story.
- Malkovich delivered an amazing performance in scenes featuring the Fantastic Four clashing with the Red Ghost, which were ultimately cut from the final version of the movie.
John Malkovich’s Red Ghost Axe from Fantastic Four Script, Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer Steps In
John Malkovich’s scenes were entirely removed from the final cut of the Fantastic Four movie, as his role as Red Ghost was ultimately axed from the script. This change led to significant plot shifts, including a revised ending. CBR first reported these developments. In the initial script, Malkovich’s Red Ghost was set to sabotage Reed Richards’ plan to save Earth from Galactus. However, the film’s current version features Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer assuming a similar antagonistic role, thwarting Richards’ efforts. Director Matt Shakman confirmed the final cut deviated from the project’s original vision, explaining these changes “made more sense.” Shakman acknowledged that Red Ghost played a significant role in earlier iterations of the film, with scenes featuring the Fantastic Four clashing with the character that included an “amazing performance” by Malkovich. However, those scenes were cut to improve the movie’s pace and to maintain a direct focus on the main story.
In Case You Missed It
For all you Marvel enthusiasts out there, we’ve got an exciting update on the highly anticipated “Fantastic Four” film! Marcus Thompson’s latest piece dives into the first official trailer drop at a star-studded event in Los Angeles. The article highlights everything from the iconic 1960s New York setting to John Malkovich’s mysterious role and Galactus’ impending arrival. If you’re ready to see what Phase 6 has in store, be sure to check out “The Fantastic Four: Trailer PlayersForLife, Phase 6, 1960s Era, Galactus, John Malkovich, and Superpowers Ahead” (published February 4, 2025) The Fantastic Four: Trailer PlayersForLife, Phase 6, 1960s Era, Galactus, John Malkovich, and Superpowers Ahead!
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Ghosts of Red Ridge |
| Brief Summary | After foiling a good ol' fashioned stickup in the gold bust town of Red Ridge, Texas, the town sheriff jails a mysterious stranger suspected of ties to the gang of outlaws terrorizing residents. But as the sheriff draws closer to unraveling the bandits' identities, ghosts of murdered townspeople begin appearing at his door, leaving him to question whether the spirits are warning him…or seeking vengeance for his own failure to protect them. |
| Released | December 3, 2024 |
| Duration | 81 minutes |
| Genre | Western, Horror |
| Production Companies | Jackrabbit Studios |
| Countries of Origin | US |
| Actors | Owen Williams, Trent Culkin, Griffin Wade, Mercedes Peterson, John Marrs, Blaize Naasz, Chris James Rivera, Curt Lambert, Lena Wilcox, John Schile, Robert Clark, Mark Padilla, Jack Campbell, Cliff Owens, Bill Fortenberry, Tammi-Jo Wilkins, Brandon Cahela, William Carr, Lane Wilkins, Kaia Campbell, Zoey Jean Blair, Bob Colson, Lucy Campbell, Kevin Orduño |
| Director | Stefan Colson |
| Authors | Brandon Cahela |
| Producers | Jack Campbell, Mark Padilla, Rebecca Campbell, Stefan Colson |
| Ratings | 4.75/10 (10 reviews) |
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