"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" actor Toby Kebbell has reportedly been cast to play Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, in the reboot of "Fantastic Four," Variety reports.
According to the site, the villainous role was highly sought after by other actors including Jack Hutson and Domhall Gleeson. If Kebbell's deal with the studio goes through, he will join Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Kate Mara and Miles Teller.
The "Fantastic Four" reboot is expected to hit theaters June 19, 2015 with a sequel due the summer of 2017. Filming is said to begin this spring. Back in February, the film experienced some backlash when it was announced that Jordan ("Fruitvale Station") would play the Human Torch.
Recently the actor spoke about the criticism during a press conference at Cinefilos.it.
"It was expected. You kinda know going into it that people are used to seeing something one way, it's a continuity thing more than anything," he told the crowd, ComicBookMovie reports. "People don't like change too much. But annoyed? Eh, you just kinda accept it, it is what it is. You can't make everybody happy. You just gotta accept that and know."
Many comic book fans were upset that the 27-year-old would be playing a white comic book character. Actor Anthony Mackie ("Captain America") told Comicbook.com that he had heard about the skepticism from fans but was confident his friend would be an excellent Human Torch.
"Michael B. Jordan is a very good friend of mine," he said. "I've known him since he was a teenager, and I'm so happy, for more than anybody else for him to be getting the accolades he's getting, because he deserves it... I think with these types of movies, everything else aside, you need a good actor. Michel B. Jordan is a good actor, black or white."
