Joseph Quinn’s Early Game of Thrones Role Impresses Marvel Director

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Summary

  • Joseph Quinn brings a new take to Johnny Storm, differing from Chris Evans’ womanizer portrayal.
  • Director Matt Shakman was impressed by Quinn’s Game of Thrones role, leading to collaboration.
  • Quinn’s career is on the rise, with notable roles in diverse projects like Stranger Things and Gladiator II.

As a seasoned movie critic, I am thrilled to share my anticipation for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” where Joseph Quinn will breathe life into the fiery persona of Johnny Storm/Human Torch. The director, Matt Shakman, was so captivated by Quinn’s performance in “Game of Thrones” that he couldn’t resist the opportunity to collaborate with him once more. In this upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, a star-studded cast including Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will grace our screens, but Quinn will be making his debut as the beloved character, previously portrayed by Chris Evans.

In a recent statement, actor Jamie Bell, who plays Johnny Storm in the upcoming “Fantastic Four: First Steps”, indicated that his portrayal of the character will differ from how Evans depicted him, and he plans to make Johnny less womanizing given today’s societal sensitivities. Instead, this version of Johnny will be more sensitive to others’ feelings and self-aware about the root causes of his attention-seeking behavior. The director of “Fantastic Four”, Shakman, seems to support this thoughtful approach and prefers a more nuanced portrayal of Johnny beyond being a reckless hothead. At Megacon 2025, Bell jokingly commented about fitting into the superhero Lycra suit for the first time, saying he needed to work on his abs. Training for the role has been enjoyable for him so far. As fans eagerly anticipate the movie’s release next month, some may have forgotten that Bell previously starred in “Game of Thrones”, leading to his casting in the superhero film.

Joseph Quinn Impressed Fantastic Four Director With His Game of Thrones Character

Matt Shakman, director of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, first encountered Joseph Quinn in Season 7, Episode 4 of Game of Thrones titled “The Spoils of War”. It was during his work on this episode and later on “Eastwatch” for HBO that he noticed Quinn, who played a guard named Koner. Shakman found him to be quite impressive and decided to keep the then lesser-known actor in mind for future projects.

If you happened to overlook Quinn’s scene during the show due to the abundance of fresh talent, he played the guard who encountered Arya at Winterfell’s gates, where she was assumed dead by the guards and denied entry to see her sister Sansa. Instead, they told her to leave, using a harsh phrase like “scram.” Recalling his role as Koner, Quinn mentioned that he made a sort of cough and spit. Although Quinn may not have seen this as particularly impressive for future roles, Shakman had a different perspective.

Reflecting on my past experiences, I recalled a captivating talent I had met during the making of “Game of Thrones” – none other than Mr. Joe Quinn. Years later, as I embarked on bringing the character Johnny Storm to life in the Fantastic Four franchise, I found myself yearning for an actor who could breathe depth into this role. A dreamer, a spontaneous soul, someone who could transcend the stereotypes associated with Johnny – that’s what I was searching for. In my opinion, Joe embodies these qualities brilliantly, making him the perfect choice to join our team. Although many fans may remember Joe for his electrifying performances in “Stranger Things,” “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and even the historical epic “Gladiator II,” it’s his undeniable potential that has caught my eye, and at just 30 years old, he’s already carving out a significant niche for himself in Hollywood.

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2025-06-06 13:06