Replacement of the Character 'The Thing' on Set during 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Production with a Rock Named Jennifer
Marvel's Fantastic Four: First Steps is taking the character stand-ins game to a whole new level, blowing previous methods out of the water. In a twist of events, the film's lead actor, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays the role of Ben Grimm, found himself accompanied by an unusual co-star to help bring the Thing to life on screen.
Enter "Jennifer": a rock.
Director Matt Shakman revealed to Empire Magazine that the team scoured the desert for this perfect rock, which matched their envisioned appearance for The Thing. Jennifer was filmed for every single shot featuring the Thing, under every lighting environment.
The reasoning behind the unusual stand-in wasn't disclosed, but it seems it helped the CG animators with the coloring and lighting references needed for Moss-Bachrach's motion-capture performance, and also ensured a more grounded, realistic look for The Thing.
Moss-Bachrach shared with the magazine, "It's a trip to think about the hundreds of people working together to bring this character to life. I just had faith that they would make my performance shine. I'm super satisfied with the way Ben looks."
While Jennifer took care of the character's rugged exterior, Moss-Bachrach delved deeper into exploring Grimm's inner turmoil as well. "He's your classic Lower East Side dude," the actor elucidated, reflecting on his New York roots, much like the character's creator Jack Kirby. "A good chunk of this character is a tribute to his old man, and that's pretty meaningful to me."
Marvel's Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters July 25.
If you're craving more sci-fi and superhero news, check out the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, the plans for the DC Universe on screen, and all the latest on the Doctor Who timeline.
- In the realm of technology and entertainment, both Gizmodo and Io9 have anticipated the release of Marvel's Fantastic Four: First Steps, set to hit theaters on July 25.
- As tech enthusiasts and movie fans eagerly await the release, they might find interest in the innovative use of a rock named Jennifer in bringing the Thing character to life.
- Post-release, movie-goers can delve deeper into the world of future movies and TV series, finding engaging content across genres on platforms such as Gizmodo, Io9, Movies-and-TV, and more.
