Fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with their film set to open in theaters in May 2025. Rumors about the film's casting have been in high gear ever since the film was first officially announced in 2020, with much of the attention put on the team's leader Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic. While the film's director, Matt Shakman, revealed that much of the casting rumors have been just rumors, one notable rumor circulated recently that the film was looking to first cast Susan Storm/Invisible Woman, and build the rest of the team around her.
This makes a certain amount of sense, as The Invisible Woman is not only the heart of the team but also is arguably the most powerful member of the Fantastic Four. The previous attempts at a Fantastic Four film tended to put the emphasis on Ben Grimm/The Thing or Mr. Fantastic, so a good way to distinguish the new MCU version from prior film incarnations is to make Susan Storm the emphasis on the team. There are plenty of great actresses who could step into the role of the Invisible Woman in the MCU's Fantastic Four reboot.
Update August 9, 2023: This article has been updated by Jack Deegan with even more great performers who could play The Invisible Woman, including some of are rumored to be considered.
12 Mila Kunis
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Mila Kunis has been a fixture on-screen since she first appeared on That '70s Show in the 1990s, and has since been the star of comedy films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Bad Moms to dramatic work in Black Swan. Kunis' work in blockbuster spaces has been mixed with flops like Max Payne and the cult classic Jupiter Ascending, but her star power and charisma would undoubtedly be a draw for audiences who may be skeptical of a new Fantastic Four movie.
Kunis generated rumors of being in consideration for the part of The Invisible Woman after she was seen meeting director Matt Shakman for lunch, but so far nothing has solidified, but she would be a welcome addition to the MCU.
11 Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer has been rumored to play the role of The Invisible Woman for quite some time now. She is most well known for her role in the hit series Killing Eve, and in 2021 starred in the box office hit Free Guy and the critically acclaimed The Last Duel.
Comer is clearly a star on the rise and one Marvel Studios would want to have as part of their franchise. It is unclear how old the MCU version of Reed Richards and Susan Storm will be, so Comer would fit a younger incarnation of The Invisible Woman.
10 Phillipa Soo
Phillipa Soo is most well known for her portrayal of Eliza Hamilton in the hit Broadway play Hamilton. Soo has also lent her voice to family film projects like The One and Only Ivan, Over the Moon, and a cameo appearance in Blue's Big City Adventure, so the star is certainly happy working in family-friendly media which is the MCU's main demographic.
Many of her Hamilton co-stars have joined the MCU, including Renée Elise Goldsberry in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Anthony Ramos in the upcoming series Ironheart, so somebody at Marvel is clearly a fan of Hamilton, and it's an ensemble cast. Soo's role in Hamilton as a woman committed to her husband despite his faults and misgivings has shades of The Invisible Woman, and Soo's ability to convey vulnerability with a strong sense of confidence gives her the right attitude for this superhero.
9 Cristin Milioti
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Cristin Milioti immediately jumped onto audiences' radar with her appearance on How I Met Your Mother as the titular mother character the series had been teasing for years. In just one season she won audiences over so much that the decision to kill her off in the finale was met with vocal disdain by fans. Since the series, Milioti has starred in the acclaimed series Made for Love and the film Palm Springs. Milioti has an immediate star presence that works well within an ensemble.
While it might be just the fact that she plays the Mother on How I Met Your Mother and The Fantastic Four are a family unit, Milioti would bring a unique presence to Susan Storm that is different from the previous actresses who have played the role which is something Marvel needs to make it stand out. She is currently set to join the DC Universe on the HBO Max series The Penguin playing the role of Sofia Falcone, she would not be the first star to jump between DC and Marvel projects.
8 Melissa Fumero
Melissa Fumero played the role of Amy Santiago on the hit series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which showcased her ability to work within an ensemble and a comedic setting which Fantastic Four certainly needs. Fumero is a talented performer who easily could portray the strong powerful Invisible Woman superhero persona with the warm caring loving Susan Storm.
There is precedent for casting a Latina star in the role of The Invisible Woman as they did previously with Jessica Alba, but if Marvel Studios were to go down this route it would be best to avoid the mistake of trying to whitewash Fumero and instead embrace her heritage.
7 Eiza González
A fellow star of Baby Driver, Eiza González is the sleeper pick for the MCU's Invisible Woman. While she broke into the industry doing a Mexican melodrama telenovela, González has been jumping from franchise to franchise starring in huge blockbuster movies. From Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw to Godzilla vs. Kong, González has been making a name for herself.
Another Latina actress up for the role, Marvel could do things right this time. González has the talent and the star power to take on Sue, and it would be a mistake for Marvel to not have their eyes on her.
6 Margot Robbie
No stranger to the comic book movie genre, Margot Robbie is one of the best working actors today. Best known for playing Harley Quinn in the DCEU and Barbie in the billion-dollar movie from this year, Robbie has more than enough range to take on the role. From drama to comedy, she's proven that she has what it takes in any genre. With a team like the Fantastic Four, Marvel is going to want big names to sell the movie. Perhaps there's no bigger name right now than Margot Robbie to step into this role.
With the DC Universe going through a shakeup and Margot's future there uncertain, now would be the perfect time for her to make the jump over to Marvel. She isn't afraid to jump into the superhero genre and could bring a nuanced performance to the character. Being the box office draw that she is, it would be a mistake on Marvel's part to not have her high up on their list.
5 Claire Foy
Claire Foy is somehow one of the most celebrated but underrated performers working in Hollywood. Her work playing Elizabeth II on Netflix's The Crown garnered her multiple award wins and since has starred in critically acclaimed films like First Man, Unsane, and the recent Academy Award Best Picture nominee Women Talking.
Yes, her attempt at a franchise film, The Girl in the Spider's Web, crashed and burned at the box office, but nobody would blame Foy for that movie. Foy's work in First Man particularly sells her as a great Susan Storm, a wife who sticks by her husband who is committed to his job, but also can and will stand up to him when she needs to for the sake of her sanity and marriage.
4 Lily James
Lily James broke into stardom after staring as the titular princess in 2015's live-action Cinderella remake. Before that, she starred in the immensely popular British drama Downton Abbey. The actress has been quietly building herself an impressive resume and proving her talents over the last decade, taking roles in a wide variety of different genres.
From musicals like Mama Mia! Here We Go Again to an action comedy like Baby Driver, she's done it all. A young actress like James would be a great choice for the film and to play such an important character. Being a talented actor with the ensemble and Disney blockbuster experience, she would be a fantastic choice for Sue.
3 Sarah Snook
Sarah Snook has been a revelation on the HBO series Succession where she plays Shiv Roy. While most would say it is her looks that make her a shoo-in for The Invisible Woman as she does resemble the comic book counterpart, casting has always been more than that.
Snook should be one of Marvel's top choices for The Invisible Woman just for her talents as a performer alone, and Succession has been a highlight showcasing her abilities as a performer. Succession is set to conclude with season four and with an open schedule it is likely Snook will be in demand for many years and Marvel Studios would be wise to approach her to play Invisible Woman.
2 Katerine Waterston
If Marvel Studios is casting The Fantastic Four based on who is cast as The Invisible Woman, then they need a great performer and one who can shine as a lead but also work within an ensemble and there is no better fit than Katherine Waterston.
Waterston's role in Inherent Vice made her an immediate star, and since then has worked in franchise films like Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them, and Alien: Covenant, while still taking work in character-centric projects like Logan Lucky, Mid '90s, and Babylon. The Fantastic Beast franchise is over, and with her clearly enjoying working within a big blockbuster space while also featuring the respect of a character actor, Waterston should be one of Marvel's top choices to play one of their most important superheroes.
1 Vanessa Kirby
One of the biggest rising stars in Hollywood, Vanessa Kirby, is a leading choice to play Sue Storm. Making a name for herself as Princess Margaret on The Crown, Kirby has experience working in an ensemble cast. Recently, starring in the last two Mission: Impossible movies as the White Widow, she's been dipping her toes into the action genre. An immensely talented actress, Kirby has made herself a strong candidate to play the Invisible Woman. Besides putting together an impressive resume, she's also the spitting image of what Sue Storm traditionally looks like in the comics.
On top of all that, she has expressed interest in playing the character before. When asked about it earlier this year in an interview with Variety, Kirby said that "She's amazing, so it would be a complete honor." Not only is she a perfect fit for the role, but it's something that she's interested in. With recent rumors saying that she may have signed on prior to the strike, it's only a matter of time until we find out who's playing the Invisible Woman.