Overview: Marvel’s First Family Returns
The eagerly anticipated Fantastic Four movie from Marvel Studios has finally arrived. The film is a new reboot of Marvel’s First Family set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and was released on July 25, 2025. Susan Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman, is one of the team’s most recognizable figures. She is a superheroine who can create force fields and turn invisible.
This character has been portrayed on the big screen by several actresses over the years. Fans everywhere are asking the same question as the newest Fantastic Four film hits theaters: Who plays the Invisible Woman?
From earlier depictions to the role’s exciting future in the MCU, let’s examine the role’s entire history.
The Invisible Woman: Who Is She?
It’s important to know who Susan Storm is in the Marvel universe before delving into the actresses who have portrayed the role.
- Character History: Fantastic Four #1 (1961) was the first appearance of the character.
- Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created it.
- Susan Storm Richards is her real name.
- The Fantastic Four is the team affiliation.
- Powers: energy manipulation, force field production, and invisibility
One of the first female superheroes in popular comics to be presented as strong, wise, and emotionally stable was Susan Storm. A key member of the Fantastic Four team, she is the sister of Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) and the spouse of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic).
She developed from the “Invisible Girl” into the formidable Invisible Woman over time, displaying some of the most potent powers in the Marvel Universe.
The Invisible Woman’s Legacy on Screen 1. The 1994 Unreleased Version of Rebecca Staab
Roger Corman produced the first live-action Fantastic Four adaptation in 1994. Due to bootlegs and internet fame, it gained a cult following despite never being formally released.
- Rebecca Staab is the actress.
- Status of the Film: Unreleased
- Low-budget and campy, the portrayal style is surprisingly true to comic aesthetics.
The first attempt to bring Susan Storm to the big screen was Staab’s portrayal of the character. Despite never being released in theaters, the movie set the stage for later adaptations.
Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), starring Jessica Alba:
For many fans, Jessica Alba, who starred in the Fantastic Four movies produced by Fox in 2005 and 2007, gave the most memorable performance.
- Tim Story is the director.
- Jessica Alba, actress, Susan Storm
- Co-stars Michael Chiklis (The Thing), Chris Evans (Human Torch), and Ioan Gruffudd (Mr. Fantastic)
- Reception: It received mixed reviews but did well at the box office.
Jessica Alba’s character arc centered on striking a balance between her abilities and emotional development, and her performance was visually stunning. Many fans of early 2000s superhero movies still find nostalgia in Alba’s portrayal, despite the scripts’ occasional criticism.
- Important Aspects: Her spectacular use of invisibility during the conflict with Doctor Doom.
- Scenes from Reed Richards’ wedding and romantic tension.
- confrontation with the Silver Surfer in the follow-up.
The Fantastic Four by Kate Mara (2015)
Josh Trank was the director of Fox’s 2015 attempt to reboot the franchise with a gritty, darker tone.
- Actress Susan Storm: Kate Mara
- With a younger cast, the tone is serious and sci-fi.
- Reception: Unsatisfactory box office results and negative reviews
Kate Mara, who is renowned for her dramatic performances, portrayed the character in a more restrained manner. She received harsh criticism for her lack of chemistry with the rest of the cast, and the movie was unfortunately beset by production issues. Mara’s Invisible Woman didn’t have the chance to shine despite her talent.
Vanessa Kirby, the New Invisible Woman in the MCU (2025):
Vanessa Kirby, a highly regarded actress who has starred in The Crown, Mission: Impossible, and Pieces of a Woman, will play Susan Storm in the 2025 MCU Fantastic Four movie.
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic)
- Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm (Invisible Woman)
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch)
- The Thing’s Ben Grimm: Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Vanessa Kirby: Why?
Vanessa Kirby was chosen by Marvel Studios to give the character strength, grace, and emotional depth. Kirby, who is well-known for her capacity to depict complexity and resiliency, is a perfect fit for the role of the Invisible Woman, who is the emotional center of the Fantastic Four, in addition to being strong.
- Her leadership and empathy as Susan Storm are her strong points.
- Knowledge and composure
- Proficiency with combat tactics and force fields
In interviews, Kirby said she was inspired by real-life women she looked up to as well as comic books, and she wanted to show Susan not just as a superhero but also as a relatable woman who balanced her heroic responsibilities with her relationships.
Invisible Woman in the MCU: A Game Changer
For the first time, Susan Storm is part of the same universe as Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, and possibly the X-Men.
What Is Different in the MCU Version?
- Deeper character development: Character arcs that span several movies are emphasized by Marvel Studios.
- More precise abilities: It is said that her force fields and invisibility are displayed in creative, striking ways.
- Connections to upcoming events: According to insiders, Susan Storm might be a major character in Avengers: Secret Wars & Avengers: Doomsday.
Fan Reaction: Is Vanessa Kirby the Most Outstanding Invisible Woman to Date?
Following the July 24, 2025, premiere screenings, the initial response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive:
- 🔹 “The Invisible Woman we’ve been waiting for is Vanessa Kirby. powerful, elegant, and a real leader.”
- “Every time she uses her force fields, it’s a jaw-dropper—she owns the screen.”
- 🔹 “At last, Susan Storm is done correctly!”
Critics are applauding Kirby for emotionally establishing the role while still delivering in action-packed scenes, and social media has been ablaze with praise for the casting decision.
Susan Storm’s Prospects in the MCU
Characters without long-term plans are rarely introduced by Marvel. We can anticipate seeing a lot more of Vanessa Kirby’s Invisible Woman as the Multiverse Saga develops and Secret Wars approaches.
- Possible Upcoming Appearances: Avengers: Secret Wars (2027?)
- Avengers: Doomsday
- Crossover between X-Men
- An Invisible Woman solo project?
Characters in the MCU are known to be expanded beyond ensemble casts. We might see a Disney+ series or solo movie about Susan Storm, similar to how WandaVision made Scarlet Witch a fan favorite.
Concluding Remarks: A Revived Legacy
There have been highs and lows throughout Susan Storm’s on-screen career, from Rebecca Staab’s early attempt to Jessica Alba’s iconic take, from Kate Mara’s failure to Vanessa Kirby’s triumphant arrival. However, in 2025, it seems as though the position has at last realized its full potential.
One of the most significant female characters in the MCU, and possibly the most accurate portrayal of the character to date, is Vanessa Kirby’s Invisible Woman, who possesses strength, intelligence, and compassion.
If you haven’t already, see Marvel’s First Family soar like never before by going to your local theater to see Fantastic Four, which opens on July 25, 2025.
