Vanessa Kirby on Playing Sue Storm: “This Isn’t Just a Superhero—She’s a Mother, a Fighter, and a Force”

From navigating motherhood to facing Marvel villains, Kirby opens up about joining the MCU’s Fantastic Four and filming Avengers: Doomsday while pregnant

Vanessa Kirby may be the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but she’s already making waves. Cast as Sue Storm a.k.a. the Invisible Woman in Fantastic Four: First Steps, the official launchpad for MCU’s Phase Six, Kirby recently opened up about the emotional and creative depth she’s bringing to the role.

Appearing on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Crown star shared how unexpectedly personal the character felt to her. “What moved me most was that Sue is a new mother and a superhero at the same time,” Kirby said. “That duality gave me something real to hold onto—domestic life meets cosmic chaos.”

Unlike many actors, Kirby didn’t audition for the role. Her first meeting was an informal lunch with director Matt Shakman, followed by a discussion with Marvel boss Kevin Feige. What drew her in, she explained, was the complexity of Sue Storm’s journey through the comics—from her transformation into the dark alter ego Malice to her heartbreaking experience of losing a child, and her evolution from Invisible Girl to Invisible Woman. “There’s so much psychological richness in Sue’s arc that I wasn’t hesitant at all to commit to future MCU films,” she added.

Kirby also emphasized the strength of the ensemble cast, including Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. “We’ve truly become a family,” she said. “The Fantastic Four are never really apart, and that gave me confidence going into these massive productions.”

As for Avengers: Doomsday, which is currently filming, Kirby revealed she’s been shooting while pregnant—and loving every minute of it. Calling the experience “a complete privilege,” she described the set as “the coolest place to be right now.”

Director Matt Shakman has previously confirmed that Fantastic Four: First Steps will directly lead into Avengers: Doomsday, which is being helmed by Joe and Anthony Russo. While the storyline remains under wraps, the 2026 blockbuster is expected to feature the iconic villain Dr. Doom, portrayed by none other than Robert Downey Jr.

Kirby had high praise for Downey Jr., calling him a “phenomenal leader” on set. “He’s soulful, kind, and unbelievably generous—especially with us newcomers,” she said. “He sets the tone for everyone.”

Besides the Fantastic Four and Downey Jr., Avengers: Doomsday will bring together an epic ensemble cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Florence Pugh, Simu Liu, Tom Hiddleston, Letitia Wright, Sebastian Stan, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and many more.

As the MCU marches toward its next major chapter, Kirby’s grounded yet powerful take on Sue Storm may become one of the franchise’s most emotionally resonant performances yet.

Stay connected with us for the latest and exclusive updates on global entertainment—only here on Indori Nerd!

📲 Follow us on:
🔵 Facebook: https://t.ly/wlDW8
🐦 X (Twitter): https://t.ly/RhEuy
🧵 Threads: https://t.ly/Kb9xC
📸 Instagram: https://t.ly/uuCLg
▶️ YouTube: https://t.ly/FA5w_