It turns out that even the most devoted Marvel fans failed to notice everything about John Krasinski’s Mr Fantastic costume in Doctor Strange 2.
Mr. Fantastics Outfit Reveals a Great Deal
Although John Krasinski’s portrayal of Reed Richards in Doctor Strange 2 was very briefly onscreen, his Mr Fantastic character was so brilliantly crafted that even his outfit was created to accentuate and enhance his talents.
According to The Direct According to the book Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness: The Art of the Movie, Mr Fantastic’s costume has a deeper significance. Head of Visual Development at Marvel Studios, Ryan Meinerding, discussed the factors they took into account when turning Marvel heroes from the canon of comic books into films.
He clarified that despite modifications to the design or story arc, it was crucial that MCU characters stay true to the comics. Because of this, they made an extra effort to make Reed Richards stand out in Doctor Strange 2.
Meinerding stated, “In the case of Mr Fantastic, he’s one of those characters that has already appeared on the big screen. Hence, you’re attempting to think of something that feels timeless and intriguing while also being contemporary enough to appear in an MCU film and unique from previous works.
He continued, “The goal of adding those extra stripes in there was to suggest that the black sections offer rigidity to the outfit and to his body, while the blue parts stretch,” in reference to the suit’s design as both functional and symbolic.
Going back to the Illuminati
Rewatching the scene will let you to observe how carefully these characters were adapted in Doctor Strange 2 given that Black Bolt, Captain Carter, Captain Marvel, and Professor X also showed up during the trial with the Illuminati.
Meinerding went on: “Each time we revisit characters from the beginning, it makes us feel like we have a huge amount of obligation. You must do it correctly. Modernizing it to some extent is necessary, but you also need to find something that will appeal to fans and feel true to the character.”
He agreed that members of the Illuminati needed to project a menacing aesthetic and temperament, which is why Reed’s costume was more somber and not retro. He clarified, “They’re intended to appear a little more polished than some of our other hero combinations in terms of appearance.
Just the idea of being a member of The Illuminati That team has an almost heavy quality. Hence, for Reed, I was attempting to lean into something that felt as though it was approaching the design task with the utmost seriousness. It wasn’t necessarily intended to be a throwback.”
In the next Fantastic Four reboot, it will be intriguing to watch how Reed Richards’ costume will change. The same can be said for the other members of Marvel’s First Family.
The Fantastic Four reboot will begin shooting next year, with a 2025 theatrical release planned.
Mr Fantastic’s costume in Doctor Strange 2 was carefully designed to represent the character’s abilities and maintain a connection with the source material. According to Ryan Meinerding, the Head of Visual Development at Marvel Studios, the goal was to create a timeless and intriguing costume that felt contemporary enough for the MCU while also being unique from previous adaptations.
The costume features extra stripes, with the black sections providing rigidity to both the outfit and Reed Richards’ body, while the blue parts allow for stretchiness. This design choice was both functional and symbolic, emphasizing the character’s flexibility and intelligence.
In the context of the Illuminati, Meinerding explained that their goal was to project a menacing aesthetic and temperament. Therefore, Mr Fantastic’s costume leaned towards a somber and serious tone rather than a retro look. As a member of the Illuminati, Reed Richards’ design was intended to convey a sense of weight and responsibility.
It will be interesting to see how Mr Fantastic’s costume evolves in the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, as well as the costumes of the other members of Marvel’s First Family.
[Source: The Direct]