Seems like it.

According to insiders, 20th Century Fox and the film’s director, Josh Trank, are looking at Michael B. Jordan – who played one of the three leads in Trank’s breakout Chronicle - to portray Johnny Storm, a.k.a. Human Torch. The Wrap says its received this tipoff from “numerous individuals familiar with the project,” and Jordan’s chances of landing the Human Torch role depend partly on how much chemistry he has with other actors in consideration. We learned earlier this week that Allison Williams (Girls) is shortlisted to play Susan Storm, a.k.a. the Invisible Woman, in the superhero flick; however, Jordan is reported to have had several meetings with studio executives over the past week (meaning, he may be a more serious candidate to sign on, for the time being). Link

Thoughts?

I will say that I really liked him in Chronicle. He was similar to the johnny storm persona in that movie so I could see it work from an acting standpoint. I'm just thinking now if they're going to make Sue storm black as well, they're brother and sister after all...

I have no problem with this. Or any casting decision that makes superhero casts more inclusive.

that would be.... really weird

If this is true, then...

Why can't we get the guy who played Green Arrow in Smallville? Justin Hartley? I think he'd make a great Johnny Storm.

I think that if they're going to make storm white or black, the sister better match. No need to have one "adopted" or something like that. Totally unnecessary.

@fodigg: What would be your thoughts if they cast Naveen Andrews as Black Panther?

INB4 cynics, critics, and whiners

This is totally wrong...totally.

to late

If this is only for the sake of diversity, I hope they don't do it.

Wow, making white characters black is the new tradition in Hollywood!

I do not like this at all.

I meant trend.

If Johnny Storm is black doesn't that mean that Sue will also be black ? Seems weird to mention one and not the other.

I tried. They're quick.

I hate this! It's like having The Black Panther played by a white guy! It doesn't work.

I liked him in Chronicle. Was surprised that movie didn't generate more discussion... Was clearly a superhero flick.

Still, though, his character wasn't much like Johnny in that movie. Too responsible, not enough "pizzaz."

I don't believe this one bit, no one should! Oh yeah, Samuel Jacksons is gonna play the new Red Skull," Mother F**%e* " I'm a Nazi, we do it like this!

You could've chosen just about ANY other black character, and that analogy would work. But it doesn't work with BP, he's a african king of an African nation. lol.

I do agree that there is a line to be drawn though. Nick Fury turned out very well, jamie foxx as electro still remains to be seen, and now this guy. I understand the intentions, but don't necessarily agree with the way its being panned out. I would rather them build NEW black characters or use old ones, and integrate them in major roles of team books while also having their own series. Cyborg in the justice league, and black panther leading the new avengers is a start. Then once they rise in popularity, bring them along in the movies. That's the way I would do it.

"Great that he's getting more work but ridiculous that they're taking away one of the few roles for black actors to do so, as if you can only serve underrepresented groups by screwing over other underrepresented groups. SMH."

Swapping around different racial minorities isn't more inclusive, and is all the more irritating because comes with the implication that all minorities are the same. But increasing diversity is a worthy goal and will lead to a better, more inclusive final product.

There is such a thing as white africans

I have no f*cks to give. Absolutely none.

Of all the "black" magneto's, Wolverine, spider-man, batman, superman, and et cetera, I think this is an AWEsome idea. He would be like Hotspot.

I don't know if they have to make Sue black too, but if they do it should be

Kerry Washington

or

Gabrielle Union

or

Sanaa Lathan

or

Meagan Good

( + )

They said this same thing a few years ago. "will smith as steve rogers" I doubt it. A young black male playing the role as an arrogant hot tempered hero? A sister..pun intended, a sister that hooks up with a white doctor? Yeah dont think that sterotype would go over well.

I think they should stick to more originals. If it is just to be fair, then there are plenty of black comic characters that would make a great movie( really hoping for a Black Panther movie, that would be AWESOME.) The only exception, IMO, was casting Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury.

As much as I think Michael B. Jordan would make a wonderful Johnny Storm, I would much rather that they then cast a black actress to play Sue, too. Given that the word on the street is that Girls star Allison Williams is the front-runner to play Sue, one of them would have to be adopted, or they'd have to be half-siblings. That might impact upon the family dynamic of the Fantastic Four.

Black Panther's race is directly tied to his character (I mean, he's the Black Panther), so it's understandable in that case that he should be played by a black male.

Johnny Storm has always been depicted as a white male, but the Johnny Storm character transcends race entirely, which is why I'm interested in this possible casting & why I was all for Donald Glover as Spider-Man back when the reboot was barely in pre-production.

very good. there's too many beige and basic white people in hollywood

Next thing you know Batman will be a black guy(people are actually talking about doing that if you can believe it).

THe only thing that really bothers me about this, is how it'll affect Sue's casting; especially since it was already rumored that a girl from New Girls will be casted. She's white, Jordan's black....

The only problem is how sue is going to turn out. It might be a bit weird having them look completely different but don't expect the audience isn't going to find it very weird. I also find it funny how its good to make a white character black but its racist if you make a black character white.

Hey since Johnny will be black and Sue White. What about the Chinese? They need one too! I vote for Mr. Fantastic being the Chinese guy myself. And we also have the American Indians! Everyone forgets them, We still have the Thing, so lets make him a American Indian!

@novi_homines: Dammit you're right! Ok how about Luke Cage being played by a white character? I don't think all changes are bad though. I think Jamie Foxx was an excellent choice for Electro and Idris Elba gave an excellent portrayal of Volstagg

@oscars94: You mean Heimdall not Volstagg right? Because last I checked Volstagg was a white character.

How will Johnny be black and Susan will be white?That doesn't make any sense!

Main problem with this is while Johnny Storm isn't defined my his race/looks Sue is has always been, to my mind at least, a very attractive blonde. You making him adopted/half-brother could disconnect them as characters

Heimdall

Why not having all the fantastic four black? But seriously, I would prefer having Johnny as an adopted black brother than having Sue played by the first black actress they cast, and adopted brothers and sisters often have the same chemistry that blood-brothers-sisters do.

@bluelantern1995: They could have wyatt wingfoot in the movie because he is american indian. That means Thing could mexican and more diversity!!!!Everybody Wins!!! This movie could be the most diverse and bestest ever for being so diverse!! Yay!

@norrinboltagonprime21 that's great! Why didn't I think of that! Oh and what about the Arabics! We need to fit them in somewhere. How about they have the Villain be Arabic! But wait that would cause problems...hmm. How about we switch Thing to Arabic and have the villain be Mexican! This could work!

As long as they make Dr Doom Scottish

Leave them white. Forget diversity. You cant have the brother black and the sister white.

#13 Posted by RustyRoy (800 posts) - 1 hour, 33 minutes ago - Show Bio

Wow, making white characters black is the new tradition in Hollywood!

As opposed to all the years Hollywood whitewashed movies ?

I'm not feeling this idea though.

Yeah, no.

Aside from the implications towards Sue Storm, I don't like to change the ethnicity of such a major character. I was fine with Heimdall because he's a minor supporting character, and Nick Fury because it's the Ultimate incarnation (and because it's Samuel L. Jackson), but Johnny Storm should be white in my book. I'm not even white, but that's the Johnny Storm I know. I'm sure this fellow here would do a good job at the role, given the chance, but yeah.

It's typical hollywood trying to be diverse. That's all it is. If you want black superheroes on the big screen, then make black superhero MOVIES! I would love to see a Black Panther or a Falcon movie. No need to change the race of an established character.

And I just want to note that IF they do make Johnny Storm black in the reboot, expect Marvel U to make him black somehow in the comics. You know it's coming. Movie U dictates all of Marvel U.