Even before Michael B. Jordan was confirmed to play Johnny Storm (a.k.a. The Human Torch) in The Fantastic Four reboot, the actor has found himself responding to fans who've voiced their negative opinions about an African-American actor playing this iconic comic book character. This outspoken superhero who can manipulate fire was first portrayed on the big screen by Chris Evans in 2005's Fantastic Four, and when the Captain America: The Winter Soldier star was recently asked about Michael B. Jordan portraying Johnny Storm in a new reboot, the actor had nothing but positive things to say.

"It's so funny, you almost feel precious over the role that you don't want someone else to do it. But when you hear someone phenomenal is doing it, it's very exciting like you almost can't wait....I couldn't even give that guy any advice if I wanted, that guy is so good. It's exciting to see what he's going to do, because I know he's going to reinvent it in a way that I could never have imagined...It's almost like we're sharing, the character is ours. I feel like I'm connected with him in a way, It's a nice feeling."

Michael B. Jordan joins Miles Teller (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Kate Mara (Sue Storm/The Invisible Girl) and Jamie Bell (Ben Grimm/The Thing) in this reboot directed by Josh Trank, who directed the 2012 hit Chronicle that helped launch Michael B. Jordan's career. No story details have been confirmed at this time, including the Storm siblings' family history. It's possible this brother-sister duo are either adopted or come from a mixed-race family, but that has not been confirmed. Production is scheduled to begin in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Still yet to be cast is the Doctor Doom, with our report from last month revealing that Domhnall Gleeson (About Time), Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables; Jupiter Ascending), Sam Riley (Maleficent) and Toby Kebbell (Wrath of the Titans; Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) are in contention to play the villain.