Ralph Ineson has been on our screens for a long time. To UK viewers, he is perhaps most recognised for Trigger Point and the original version of The Office, yet his unique acting nature has never been properly recognised, despite his portrayal of Amycus Carrow.
All that is to change as he has been cast as the lead villain, Galactus, in the upcoming Fantastic Four.
A New Chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Since this upcoming blockbuster is part of the franchise juggernaut, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it seems Ineson will finally be in the global spotlight and that cannot come soon enough.
The movie is set to be released in 2025 and hosts an already impressive cast, with Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Vanessa Kirby (Mission Impossible), Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear). Collectively, these four make up the titular team of heroes and the first comic book released under the Marvel brand by its founders, Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, in 1961.
The Legacy of the Fantastic Four
Despite their importance to the legacy of Marvel, the Fantastic Four have been immensely unsuccessful in attempts for a well-received Hollywood blockbuster, as opposed to Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor and many others. In 2005, an attempt that starred Jessica Alba and pre-Captain America Chris Evans was made that received a polarising reception over its lack of action, chintzy tone and poor adaption of the iconic comic book villain, Doctor Doom.
It garnered a sequel in 2007, Rise of the Silver Surfer, that was met with an even worse reception and further follow-ups were disallowed.
Hollywood would attempt a Fantastic Four movie again in 2015, but the less said about that one the better.
Comic book fans hope this upcoming effort will finally be the turning point.
It seems to be an entirely different direction. For one thing, the origin story, which has been repeated across all previous cinematic endeavours, will not be featured. The team will be in the primal years, supposedly. Another is that their main threat will be Galactus, a Fantastic Four villain, as opposed to the usual suspect, Doctor Doom. Doom is likely to be featured in future instalments, including the upcoming multi-movie crossover, Avengers: Secret Wars.
The Rise of Galactus
The character of Galactus debuted in 1966 in comic form and has featured in many Fantastic Four adventures from the comic strips to animated serials since.
The villain is described as a “world-devouring cosmic being” by Variety. Needless to say, he is one of, if not the most, dangerous threats any team of superheroes could dread to face. His live-action debut was the 2007 film, Rise of the Silver Surfer, but all too briefly and as a disembodied interstellar haze, a portrayal met with zealous disapproval from comic book fans.
This new remake promises a more comic book accurate portrayal with Ineson in the role.
In response to his casting, Ineson humbly tweeted: “A planet-devouring villain? I shall see what I can do…” as a poster of Galactus in all his depraved glory is placed below. I personally have no doubt he will be nothing short of perfect.
I have been a fan of Ineson for a while and have constantly been wishing he would achieve the status he deserves. I am very excited. As previously stated, the MCU has been consistently breaking box-office records for over a decade, making up half of the 25 most financially successful movies of all time. But also, with Galactus being as prominent a villain as in the original source material, this news could not be grander for an actor like Ralph Ineson.
Ralph Ineson’s Career Highlights
The Leeds-born thespian is best recognised for television roles in The Office (UK) or Trigger Point. He is no stranger to figures of authority and/or rough-around-edges antagonists, as is simple to believe from his abrasive, slithering voice that oozes with menace. In the Ricky Gervais-led comedy, Ineson was classic workplace bully, Chris Finchy, and was a stand out amongst the cast. He expertly gave a one-note antagonist with typical chauvinist qualities pathos through his naturalistic menace. He made every second of his scenes uncomfortable, whilst still providing iconic comedy.
Meanwhile, his other TV work includes multi-episode arcs on the likes of Coronation Street, Casualty, Waterloo Road and Peaky Blinders.
Ineson’s Hollywood Journey
Hollywood has also taken note of Ineson but has notoriously underused him. His roles in the last three Harry Potter movies, where he played a Death Eater and follower of Lord Voldemort, was merely a voiceless extra.
The year 2015 marked a turning point, when he starred in the folk-horror film, The Witch. It was one of the best modern filmmakers, Robert Eggers, that gave Ineson a lead role, a troubled patriarch of a New England family that are attacked by a supernatural presence. Ineson starred alongside Anya Taylor Joy, a then-newcomer who has since become a superstar in her own right, with roles in The Queen’s Gambit and the upcoming Furiosa. Ineson’s performance was praised by critics and moviegoers alike. He deviated from the rich villainy he usually provides in exchange for a prideful yet conflicted father and was believable in every ounce.
Ineson in The Green Knight
Equally gifted film director, David Lowery, employed Ineson for the titular role in The Green Knight. Covered from head to toe in excessive makeup, Ineson was still supernaturally brilliant as the mystical figure that stalks King Arthur’s nephew, Gawain (Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel). His piercing vocals matched the mythical qualities of the medieval ode and rippled out of the screen, breaking the atmosphere every time.
Slowly but surely, Ineson’s career is flourishing. This, however, is not the actor’s first time appearing in the MCU. He previously ventured into Marvel a decade ago, with the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. But that too was a faceless extra role that scarcely spoke. Once again, it is a sign of times changing, where Ralph Ineson’s strengths as an actor are recognised and larger, juicier roles are coming his way.
The Ascent of Ralph Ineson
It is always wholesome to see previously home-bound actors that begin on small-scale television excel into celebrities. Hannah Waddingham is another, who began in support roles like ITV’s Benidorm and has since spread across roles in blockbusters, such as The Fall Guy alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. She also hosted last year’s Eurovision and guest-starred at the latest BAFTA ceremony.
With a resume as reliable as Ineson’s two big roles, we shall certainly see what he can do with one of Marvel’s (literally) biggest baddies. And I do not doubt that he will devour (no pun intended) every second of every scene he populates.
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