Vanessa Kirby, the actress portraying Sue Storm in the upcoming "Fantastic Four: First Steps," has revealed her deep connection to the character, describing herself as a "Sue nerd". The 37-year-old actress is not only fascinated by Sue's heroic persona but also intrigued by her darker side, particularly the Malice incarnation.
Kirby expressed her admiration for the allegorical nature of Sue Storm's journey, from being known as Invisible Girl to ultimately embracing the title of Invisible Woman. She highlighted the significance of Sue's encounter with her dark side in the Malice storyline, a meeting that Kirby believes is profoundly poignant. She conveyed her hopes of being able to portray Malice at some point in the future.
Malice first appeared in 1985's Fantastic Four #280. During writer/artist John Byrne's celebrated run, the character was the manifestation of the dark side of Sue Richards. She was brought forth by the psychic manipulations of their enemy, the Psycho-Man, and the Hate Monger.
Kirby delved into Sue Storm's challenging background, noting the loss of her mother in a car crash and the subsequent downward spiral of her father, who became an alcoholic and was imprisoned for murdering a loan shark before eventually passing away. Sue was forced to become a mother figure to her younger brother, Johnny, and the two had to fend for themselves as orphans. Despite these hardships, Kirby admires Sue's choice to remain positive and open-hearted. She sees Sue's commitment to the Future Foundation not merely as a political statement but as an embodiment of her inherent nature.
The actress has a passion for roles that challenge her and push her beyond her limits. She seeks out projects that initially feel daunting, as she believes those are the ones that allow her to grow the most. Kirby's passion for acting extends beyond the screen, with roots in her childhood exposure to Shakespeare and the power of storytelling on stage.
"Fantastic Four: First Steps," directed by Matt Shakman, marks the second reboot of the film series and launches phase six of the MCU.
