John Malkovich is no stranger to Hollywood, but when it came to Marvel movies, he wasn’t willing to take just any deal. In a recent interview with GQ, the Oscar-nominated actor revealed that he had previously turned down multiple Marvel roles — not due to artistic differences, but because of pay disputes. "The reason I didn’t do them had nothing to do with any artistic considerations whatsoever," Malkovich explained. "I didn’t like the deals they made, at all."
For Malkovich, the grueling nature of superhero film productions played a major role in his decision.
"These films are quite grueling to make. … If you’re going to hang from a crane in front of a greenscreen for six months, pay me. You don’t want to pay me, it’s cool, but then I don’t want to do it, because I’d rather be onstage, or be directing a play, or doing something else."
Despite his past reluctance, Malkovich has finally stepped into the Marvel universe with the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for release on July 25. He admitted that his long-standing relationship with director Matt Shakman, with whom he previously worked on Cut Bank (2014), played a key role in his decision. Reflecting on the experience, Malkovich compared it to performing in theater: "You imagine a bunch of stuff that isn’t there and do your little play."
Marvel has yet to comment on Malkovich’s statements, and details about his role in Fantastic Four remain under wraps. However, the film features an all-star cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Elsewhere in the interview, Malkovich revealed that one of his most challenging projects wasn’t an action-packed blockbuster but rather voicing an octopus in Penguins of Madagascar (2014). "I must have recorded the entire thing, every line, at least a thousand variations of every line," he said, joking about the seemingly endless takes. "I didn’t really make any money for it at all, but it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do it again — I would just have a very different contract this time."
With Fantastic Four on the horizon, Malkovich’s entrance into the superhero genre may be late — but it’s definitely on his own terms.
