Matthew Wood will voice the character H.E.R.B.I.E. in Marvel Studios’ upcoming film The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set to release in theaters on July 25. The announcement came through director Matt Shakman, who discussed the character and Wood’s casting in a recent interview.
H.E.R.B.I.E., a robotic creation of Reed Richards, is presented as a central part of the story. Shakman emphasized the droid’s role as a companion to Richards, portrayed by Pedro Pascal. “He’s absolutely as important and as alive as any other member of the cast,” Shakman said. “He’s sometimes a slightly put-upon robot, but he is definitely a member of the family.”
The director described H.E.R.B.I.E. as Richards’ assistant in both scientific experiments and off-world missions. “He’s Reed’s right hand in the lab, capable of assisting him on any sort of experiment, always by his side whether in New York City or out in space,” he said. “He’s charming, he’s funny — but he also will break your heart.”
The casting of Wood connects the production to a long list of notable film projects. Wood is widely recognized for his portrayal of General Grievous in the Star Wars franchise. Beyond voice acting, he has worked extensively in sound editing and design, contributing to films including There Will Be Blood (2007), Wall-E (2008), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). His work has earned multiple Oscar nominations.
In previous versions of the Fantastic Four canon, H.E.R.B.I.E. served as both an assistant and a technological problem-solver. The character debuted in animated form before appearing in comics, initially designed to replace the Human Torch in a television series aimed at younger audiences. Over time, the droid evolved into a more established part of the team’s lore.
Shakman said this adaptation gives the character a role that extends beyond utility. His description of H.E.R.B.I.E. as emotionally expressive suggests that the droid will appear in scenes that require more than just comic relief or exposition. The casting of a performer with both technical and voice experience reinforces that intent.
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The cast includes Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards. Ralph Ineson will appear as Galactus, and Julia Garner is cast as Shalla-Bal, a variation of the Silver Surfer. Additional cast members include Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles.
The film will mark the first appearance of the Fantastic Four within the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the Disney acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Development of the script and casting extended over multiple production phases. Shakman, who previously directed WandaVision, leads a team that includes cinematographer Jess Hall and editor Debbie Berman. Composer Laura Karpman is responsible for the score.
H.E.R.B.I.E.’s physical design has not yet been revealed in full, though early concept art and minimal promotional imagery suggest a visual update that retains the character’s compact and mobile frame. Reports indicate that the character will appear in both Earth-based and space-based sequences and will be involved in interactions with the team beyond the lab.
In Shakman’s interview, he said the film would include scenes where H.E.R.B.I.E. operates both independently and in collaboration with the rest of the team. These interactions are written to reflect the character’s close relationship with Richards and his function as a consistent presence, regardless of setting.
Wood’s previous work includes characters that combine synthetic delivery with emotional complexity. His portrayal of General Grievous required balancing mechanical voice processing with vocal tension. In addition to performance, Wood’s knowledge of audio post-production allows for detailed attention to tone, texture, and vocal integration with digital effects.
The inclusion of H.E.R.B.I.E. fits within a broader pattern seen in past Marvel titles. Non-human characters—such as Jarvis, Vision, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot—have been presented as integral parts of team dynamics. These characters often appear in both dramatic and action-driven scenes, contributing dialogue, decisions, and consequences that influence main storylines.
Marvel Studios has not released a trailer or extended footage from the film, though official character posters and casting confirmations have circulated. Public response to the casting of the lead team was met with interest across fan and industry platforms, with particular attention to how this version will differ from previous Fantastic Four adaptations.
Pascal, known for lead roles in The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and Narcos, brings established experience in ensemble storytelling. Kirby’s past work in The Crown and the Mission: Impossible franchise signals a continuation of Marvel’s pattern of casting actors with both theatrical and action roles in their backgrounds. Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach have each appeared in ensemble-driven series (Stranger Things and The Bear, respectively), and bring experience with character-driven scenes and ensemble coordination.
Julia Garner’s role as Shalla-Bal introduces a variation on a character historically connected to the Silver Surfer mythos. In some interpretations, Shalla-Bal is presented as a diplomatic figure, while others depict her as having direct links to cosmic forces. Whether this version adopts a similar framework has not been confirmed.
Ralph Ineson’s casting as Galactus suggests a visual and auditory presence grounded in gravitas and scale. Known for roles in The Witch, Chernobyl, and The Green Knight, Ineson has often played characters with deep vocal tones and measured speech. The selection of Ineson implies a portrayal that emphasizes command and menace through vocal presence.
Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles have not had their roles officially disclosed. Their inclusion suggests a wide supporting cast spanning multiple locations and character functions.
Production on The Fantastic Four: First Steps has taken place across multiple locations, with a portion of visual effects and digital modeling conducted at Marvel’s in-house and contracted facilities. The integration of H.E.R.B.I.E. into scenes that include both practical sets and computer-generated environments will be overseen by teams familiar with blending voice talent and visual animation.
Wood’s recording sessions are expected to involve multiple approaches, combining standalone lines with scenes recorded in sync with live-action sequences. Post-production will include sound mixing to maintain vocal clarity during action sequences and to match the tone of the film’s broader auditory design.
With the July release date approaching, the studio has focused its communications on cast, characters, and creative leadership. Full plot details have not been confirmed, and press materials have focused on character introductions rather than event descriptions. The presence of Galactus and the Silver Surfer suggests narrative threads that extend beyond isolated conflict.
Marvel’s current release schedule positions The Fantastic Four: First Steps between entries that are grounded in Earth-bound narratives and larger-scale cosmic events. The studio has used previous ensemble films to link multiple narrative arcs, and the team’s introduction may coincide with appearances from characters introduced in other recent Marvel titles.
Shakman described H.E.R.B.I.E. as capable of participating in both light and serious scenes. He said the robot’s responses, expressions, and actions were written to reflect adaptability across different emotional tones. The director emphasized that while H.E.R.B.I.E. is mechanical, he is not written as detached or neutral.
Matthew Wood’s contribution adds to a list of voice actors brought into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with prior work in other major franchises. Past examples include Bradley Cooper (Rocket), Vin Diesel (Groot), and Paul Bettany (Jarvis/Vision), all of whom voiced characters whose roles extended beyond isolated lines and became central to plot progression.
