‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’: New Image Reveals Paul Walter Hauser as The Mole Man!! Check It Out!!

A new image from The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been released that confirms a popular fan theory that’s been circling for months. USA Today released a new batch of images from the upcoming MCU tentpole, including the first look at Paul Walter Hauser as The Mole Man, the villain who will make his big screen debut in the film. Fans have speculated since Hauser’s casting that he would be the perfect person to play Mole Man, and we now have confirmation that this theory is true. Fun fact: The Mole Man was the first villain Marvel’s First Family faced in their first-ever comic issue in 1961. What a full circle moment for the MCU’s debut Fantastic Four movie, but director Matt Shakman describes the character as “more of a union boss than a superhero.”

This new image of Mole Man comes on the heels of director Matt Shakman confirming that one major actor was completely cut from the film. One of the biggest established names attached to star in The Fantastic Four: First Steps was John Malkovich, but details about his role were being kept under wraps. However, during a recent interview, Shakman confirmed that Malkovich was due to play Red Ghost, another villain in the film, but he was ultimately cut out. Malkovich can be seen in the first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, meaning this decision was made recently. While the axing of Malkovich’s Red Ghost is certainly disappointing, there are still plenty of stars in The Fantastic Four: First Steps to get excited about, starting with who has been tapped to bring Marvel’s First Family to life.

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Cast Is One of Marvel’s Biggest

Paul Walter Hauser as The Mole Man in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) — Image via USA Today

Marvel has recruited one of its strongest ensembles for The Fantastic Four: First Steps for a non-Avengers movie. Starring in the lead roles are Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby as Reed Richards and Sue Storm, and filling out the rest of the team are Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn as Johny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. As for the villains, other than Paul Walter Hauser as Mole Man, fans will also see Julia Garner as the Shalla-Bal version of the Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus.