As the release of the Fantastic Four reboot approached, actor Michael B. Jordan addressed the backlash surrounding his casting as Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch. While Jordan is a respected actor with acclaimed roles in Fruitvale Station and Chronicle, some fans reacted negatively to the decision to cast a Black actor in a role historically portrayed as white in the comics.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jordan responded directly to the criticism, offering a thoughtful perspective on representation and modern storytelling.
“Some people may look at my casting as political correctness or an attempt to meet a racial quota, or as part of the year of ‘Black Film,’” Jordan said. “Or they could look at it as a creative choice by the director, Josh Trank, who is in an interracial relationship himself—a reflection of what a modern family looks like today. This is a family movie about four friends—two of whom are myself and Kate Mara as my adopted sister—who are brought together by a series of unfortunate events to create unity and a team. That’s the message of the movie… To the trolls on the Internet, I want to say: Get your head out of the computer… this is the world we live in.”
Jordan’s comments reflect a broader cultural conversation happening in Hollywood — where long-standing comic book characters are being reimagined to reflect a more diverse and inclusive world. While some fans resist changes to established lore, others view them as a necessary evolution for a modern audience.
Historically, multiple versions of the Human Torch have existed in Marvel canon. According to the Marvel Database, the name has been used by:
Jonathan Storm, the youngest member of the original Fantastic Four, introduced in Fantastic Four #1 in 1961 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch from 1939’s Marvel Comics #1, an android who fought in World War II. Thomas Raymond, mentored by Hammond and briefly carrying the Human Torch legacy.
This legacy offers flexibility for reinterpretation, and Jordan’s casting, according to the filmmakers, was part of a broader effort to update the franchise for a contemporary audience.
While debates over comic book accuracy versus creative adaptation continue across fandoms, Jordan’s performance — and his willingness to engage the conversation — signal a meaningful shift in how superhero films reflect the world off-screen as much as the one they portray on it.