Vanessa Kirby on Filming Sue's 'Fantastic Four' Birth, Robert Downey Jr.'s Doom, and (Hopefully) Breaking Bad as Malice

A Journey Through Motherhood and Heroism in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"

Vanessa Kirby is no stranger to powerful roles. From her BAFTA-winning performance as Princess Margaret in "The Crown" to her Oscar-nominated role in "Pieces of a Woman," she has consistently delivered compelling performances. Now, she brings a new dimension to her career with her portrayal of Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman, in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." The film, which has already made waves at the box office, showcases Kirby’s ability to balance strength, vulnerability, and emotional depth.

Kirby recently spoke about the challenges and rewards of portraying Sue Storm, a character who embodies both motherhood and heroism. She admitted that the role was particularly meaningful for her, especially given her own experience as a pregnant woman preparing for her first child. “It certainly taught me about motherhood, and my own motherhood journey. That can't be a coincidence,” she said. “It's not a passive thing. To give birth, you have to be completely, totally fierce.”

A Unique Birth Scene in Space

One of the most memorable moments in the film is Sue’s childbirth scene in space. The sequence, which takes place during the midpoint of the movie, highlights the primal and human aspect of the moment. “I remember reading that going, 'This is so cool that, at the midpoint of the movie, it centers this woman giving birth, and these three kind and loving men supporting her as she's doing it.'” Kirby shared. “It was so cool to see that a superhero was doing something so primal and so utterly human.”

Filming the scene was no small feat. “We had an amazing couple of weeks shooting that sequence in that spaceship. I loved every minute. I lost my voice by the end. You only see a few shots in there, but we did hundreds, just roaring the whole time.” The scene also featured a touching moment where The Thing cuts the umbilical cord and holds the baby gently in his giant hands. “It was so moving. It was important to us to have this baby at the center of this family,” Kirby added.

Real Babies and Real Emotions

Another unique aspect of the film was the use of real babies throughout the production. “100% of the film was shot with a real baby. Our lead baby, Ada, a little girl, was just heaven.” The presence of the babies brought a sense of authenticity to the scenes. “Sometimes action females can feel invincible. We don't see the softer sides of them. For Sue, undeniably, since the '60s, she felt like this maternal force.”

The emotional weight of the film is evident in the final act, where Sue sacrifices herself to protect her son, Franklin. “It was so helpful to know that it was a mother's rage, and a mother's love, because it felt animal.” Kirby explained. “I wanted it to feel more primal, rather than just, 'I'm trying to defeat this enemy for everybody.' It's more like, 'I'm fighting to save my child.'"

A Love Letter to Motherhood

Throughout the film, the theme of motherhood is central. Sue’s journey is not just about protecting the world but also about protecting her son. “In many ways, the film feels like a love letter to motherhood. Sue delivers a powerful monologue about moving heaven and earth for her son, and it's what reminds the world of their humanity.”

Kirby emphasized the importance of showing the complexity of motherhood. “Mothers are honestly warriors, everyday superheroes. We all know that, because we all come from one.” She also expressed her hope that women would connect with the film. “I really hope women like the film, because that's what I responded to Sue about in the comics so deeply.”

Looking Ahead: Malice and More

Beyond the current film, Kirby is eager to explore other facets of Sue Storm’s character, particularly her Malice incarnation. “I'm dying to do Malice. She's come from a really tough background.” She described the character’s journey, including her struggles with loss and finding strength in adversity. “What I loved about her was that she chose a path that was inherently a positive one. She chose to keep her heart open and to stay warm.”

She also hinted at potential future storylines involving other characters, such as Mole Man. “I'm so excited that we might get to do more with him if we get to do any more of this, because Paul [Walter Hauser] is amazing.” Kirby expressed her excitement about the possibilities within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the opportunity to continue exploring Sue’s story.

A New Chapter in the MCU

As Kirby prepares for her next role in "Avengers: Doomsday," she remains grateful for the support and collaboration within the cast and crew. “Robert Downey Jr. is our leader. We call him our Godfather. He's looked after us.” She also praised the work of the Russo Brothers and the overall atmosphere on set. “It's been a really beautiful journey. Robert is just doing incredible work. I'm so excited.”

With her upcoming projects and the continued success of "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," Kirby is poised to make an even greater impact in the world of superhero cinema. Her portrayal of Sue Storm has not only captivated audiences but also highlighted the power of motherhood, resilience, and the strength of the feminine spirit.