I firmly believe that Chris Evans‘ Johnny Storm was the best thing in 2005’s Fantastic Four. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is getting ready to introduce a set of iconic characters next year, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ cast featuring an all-star roster. The movie will see Stranger Things‘ Joseph Quinn take on the role of the Human Torch. The character was previously played in live-action films by Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan. Before he was Captain America in the MCU, Evans was the definitive Johnny Storm in live-action for me.

I think Quinn can do a good job in the role, as he has shown great potential in high-profile projects like Stranger Things and A Quiet Place: Day One. However, it will be very hard to top Evans’ performance as Johnny Storm in my eyes. There are many factors that contribute to Evans’ portrayal of the Human Torch being so popular, even if his Fantastic Four movies are not quite on the same level, with his star power later cemented as Captain America in the MCU.

Why I Think Chris Evans Was Perfect As Human Torch

The Star Got The Hero’s Personality Down

Johnny Storm is one of my favorite Marvel Comics characters, and so seeing him for the first time in live-action in 2005’s Fantastic Four was a major experience I’ll never forget. Evans perfectly brought Johnny’s charismatic and sarcastic personality to life. Every time he was onscreen, Johnny Storm just had a different energy to him that no other character in Fantastic Four had, with Evans delivering a performance that added an air of unpredictability to the character. His version of the Human Torch was hilarious to follow, suiting the lighter tone of the Marvel movie well.

The Human Torch was also a role more suited for Evans than Captain America. Don’t get me wrong, Evans’ Captain America is undoubtedly my favorite MCU character. However, the actor’s personality and his best roles outside of the MCU are geared toward the kind of comedic and chaotic performance that was seen in 2005’s Fantastic Four with his Johnny Storm. In an era where superhero movies were afraid to use comic book-accurate suits, it was refreshing to see Evans’ Human Torch in the Fantastic Four’s blue costume, loving the fact he was in the spotlight for being a hero.

Fantastic Four Was Good, But Chris Evans Was The Best Thing About It

The Original Cast For The Team Was Fantastic

I am a big fan of the cast of 2005’s Fantastic Four. Ioan Gruffudd remains the ultimate Reed Richards to me to this day, and I very much hope that we get an MCU Council of Reeds so we can see him interact with Pedro Pascal’s Mr. Fantastic. Jessica Alba’s Sue Storm and Michael Chiklis as the Thing were also inspired castings. Despite being a fan of the whole Fantastic Four cast, it was always clear when watching both of their movies that Evans’ Human Torch was the one who always stood out.

The reason for that is Johnny Storm was the heart of the Fantastic Four movies. Evans’ first Marvel character was the one who connected the team. He had chemistry with every single member of the Fantastic Four. Chris Evans’ Human Torch had some pretty emotional moments with Alba’s Invisible Woman, an interesting relationship with Gruffudd’s Reed Richards, and a hilarious feud/friendship with Chiklis’ The Thing, which have led to some of the silliest moments in superhero films. Evans was always firing on all cylinders in the role, and his Johnny Storm is one of the best live-action Marvel heroes.

Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm Return Is A Great Way To Honor 2005’s Fantastic Four

Deadpool & Wolverine Brought Evans Back To The MCU

After speculating for years on what Deadpool & Wolverine‘s secret characters might be, I was extremely happy to see Chris Evans return to the MCU, and the twist in question was perfect. After teasing a Captain America reveal, Evans yelled Johnny Storm’s catchphrase, “Flame On,” and took flight as the fiery Human Torch. In an R-rated setting, Evans was allowed to go all out on the comedic aspect of his performance from the 2000s Fantastic Four movies. Deadpool & Wolverine‘s post-credits scene, which featured a hilarious rant from Evans, was hilarious.

Instead of introducing new actors for the MCU’s X-Men or Fantastic Four, Deadpool & Wolverine brought back actors from the Fox Marvel movies for a final multiverse adventure. As Evans has a major connection to that era of Marvel films and is one of the MCU’s biggest stars, he was the perfect actor to represent the 2000s Fantastic Four cast in the movie. Johnny Storm’s role was bigger than a cameo, with the character having a lasting impact in the film that culminates in one of the MCU’s best post-credits scenes, and Chris Evans was again perfect in the role.