Elizabeth Olsen has been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2014, debuting as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in the Russo Brothers’ 2014 film Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Since then, she has played a role in several Marvel Studios projects and starred in her own Disney+ series, the 2021 WandaVision. But despite being a Marvel veteran, Olsen shares “no advice” for Natasha Lyonne’s upcoming MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Lyonne has joined the all-star cast of The Fantastic Four alongside Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Queen, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner, Paul Walter-Hauser, John Malkovich, and Ralph Ineson. Though her role has yet to be revealed, Olsen is confident that her His Three Daughters’ co-star could effortlessly portray her mysterious character that she doesn’t need to give her any advice.
“No, she needs no advice,” she told GamesRadar+ when asked if she had any tips for Lyonne’s new MCU role. “She can handle her own in the world.”
After working together on the upcoming Netflix movie, Olsen described the Poker Face star as a “very tough broad” who knows how to handle any situation. Carrie Coon, who also stars in His Three Daughters with Olsen and Lyonne, chimed in, saying Lyonne is “one of the smartest people” she has ever met.
What role may Natasha Lyonne play in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
After Deadline broke the news about Lyonne’s casting in The Fantastic Four in May, Marvel Studios has yet to reveal the exact nature of her role. However, given the movie has several characters to feature, there will surely be one that she could play perfectly. So, here are some roles Lyonne may portray in The Fantastic Four.
The most popular and likely casting choice for Lyonne in the MCU is Alicia Masters, Ben Grimm’s love interest and eventual wife. Alicia is a talented blind sculptor who can effortlessly create lifelike human sculptures by simply touching them. Her being visually impaired makes Ben, aka the Thing, feel more comfortable, given he’s self-conscious with his rock-like appearance.
It’s also possible that Lyonne will be seen as Medusa. After Black Bolt, the King of the Inhumans, appeared in Sam Raimi’s 2022 movie Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it might be the right time for the Inhuman Queen to be featured in The Fantastic Four. With Lyonne’s trademark red hair, she’s the perfect Medusa for the MCU.
If Lyonne does not play a character on the big screen, she could be the voice of the group of heroes’ retro robot assistant, HERBIE. Marvel Studios confirmed HERBIE’s involvement in The Fantastic Four after releasing a key art for its main cast in February 2024. However, until today, who will take the role of HERBIE has yet to be revealed. So, with Lyonne’s distinctive voice, she could also be HERBIE in the movie.
Lyonne will be a welcome addition to the MCU's ever-expanding cast. As one of the most celebrated stars of her generation, proven by her roles in Russian Doll and Poker Face, she may effortlessly do justice to her mysterious character in The Fantastic Four.
The Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.
