Fans can now get another glimpse at Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing in the Fantastic Four movie. Check out the picture below or go to Hollywood North Report to see a larger shot.
Chiklis (best known as the lead on The Shield) reportedly is really feeling the effects of the Thing suit after the first week of filming in Vancouver, according to a source for Superhero Hype. Because the hide of the suit is so thick, the actor is suffering from "sensory deprivation, of sorts," the source said. There's also no cooling system so between takes, the crew has to open it up to cool Chiklis off.
The costume indicates the director is pursuing the orange, lumpy look of the Thing from the early days of the FF as opposed to the more polished pile of rocks look the character later took on. However, the photo below is said to show the Thing in transition from Ben Grimm and won't be the character's final look.
Meanwhile, Kerry Washington and Hamish Linklater have joined the cast of the FF film. Their roles are as yet unknown. And composer John Ottman will score the film.
The cast of the Tim Story-directed film also includes Chiklis, Iaon Gruffudd, Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Julian McMahon, and Maria Menounos. It hits theaters July 1, 2005.
Extras are being called in to help film Sept. 22 at GM Place in Vancouver.
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