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Holy Mole-y! Paul Walter Hauser Climbs Aboard ‘The Fantastic Four’
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY

With stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach firmly in place as the First Family and the start of production just a few months out, Marvel Studios has begun rounding out the cast of The Fantastic Four. One month after Ozark‘s Julia Garner joined the cast as the Silver Surfer, a star from another one of Netflix’s most popular series has boarded the project.

According to Deadline, Paul Walter Hauser has agreed to join the film in an unknown role. Hauser is a familiar face to many, having been featured in Cobra Kai and Cruella and starring as the titular character in the Richard Jewell biopic. The actor has recently signed on for two other major roles in the reboot of The Naked Gun and as Chris Farley in an upcoming film about the late comedian.

Though Deadline’s report indicated that Hauser’s role was kept under wraps, there’s plenty of speculation (and it’s all rather reasonable) that he’ll be playing classic Fantastic Four villain Harvey Elder, aka The Mole Man. In April, the character’s appearance was teased by Marvel as part of a viral marketing campaign which featured Fantastic Four #1 which not only introduced the Marvel’s First Family but also the Mole Man!  Following Hauser’s casting, insider Jeff Sneider revealed that he’d heard the character will indeed make an appearance in the beginning of The Fantastic Four.

Now before I slay you all, behold my master plan! See this map of my underground empire! Each tunnel leads to a major city! As soon as I have wrecked every atomic plant, every source of Earthly power, my mighty mole creatures will attack and destroy everyting that lives above the surface!

Harvey Elder, Fantastic Four #1

Though Hauser’s casting as Elder is only theoretical, it’s also theoretically perfect. Though he evolved a bit over time, the Mole Man was originally incredibly campy. Hauser might just be the best bet in Hollywood to deliver the cheesy lines spewed by the Mole Man over the years.

The Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

Source: Deadline

This article first appeared on Murphy's Multiverse and was syndicated with permission.

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