‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds Paul Walter Hauser

The actor has also boarded the new ‘Naked Gun’ movie, joining the likes of Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson in the reboot of the classic cop comedy.

(Left) Paul Walter Hauser in 'Black Bird,' now streaming on Apple TV+. (Right) Marvel Studio’s ‘Fantastic Four.' Photo: Marvel.

Preview:

Paul Walter Hauser is joining the ‘Fantastic Four’ movie.
His role in unknown for now.
He’ll play Captain Ed Hocken in the new ‘Naked Gun’ movie.

Paul Walter Hauser couldn’t be more in demand at the moment. He’s already leading the cast of a Chris Farley biopic that has Josh Gad directing and recently landed a deal at New Line.

But that’s just one project to which the busy actor is now attached. He has two other big movies on his schedule now –– a mystery role in Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ and a named part in the new reboot of ‘The Naked Gun’.

Let’s get to the first one, shall we?

Who is Paul Walter Hauser playing in ‘The Fantastic Four’?

Marvel Studio's 'Fantastic Four.'

According to Deadline, Hauser’s role has yet to be announced –– which, let’s be honest is hardly surprising given the usual levels of Marvel secrecy.

He’ll join a cast that includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing).

More recently, Julia Garner came aboard to play Shalla-Bal, a version of Silver Surfer.

Matt Shakman will direct the new movie, working from a script that has seen contributions from Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer.

When will ‘The Fantastic Four’ arrive in theaters?

Marvel currently has the movie dated for release on July 25th, 2025.

And now, on to the other big project, one that has a few more details on Hauser’s involvement…

Who will Paul Walter Hauser play in ‘The Naked Gun’?

(L to R) Leslie Nielsen and George Kennedy in 'Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Hauser is, per Deadline, playing Captain Ed Hocken in the new ‘Naked Gun’ film. He’s the level-headed (but occasionally befuddled) boss of Detective Frank Drebin, played by Leslie Nielsen.

For the new movie, Hauser joins a cast that already includes Liam Neeson, Kevin Durand and Pamela Anderson.

What’s the story of ‘The Naked Gun’?

Leslie Nielsen as Lt. Frank Drebin in 1988's 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!'

The three ‘Naked Gun’ movies featured the bumbling, straight-laced cop Drebin. Released in 1988, 1991 and 1994, they’re drawn from David Zucker, brother Jerry, Jim Abrams and Pat Proft’s comedy series ‘Police Squad!’ which introduced Drebin as an LAPD detective. He’s a great cop, but usually accidentally, and the movies, like the series, are crammed with jokes.

Also starring Priscilla Presley and Ricardo Montalban, ‘The Naked Gun’ followed a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Los Angeles. There is mind control, a baseball game and O.J. Simpson as a fellow officer.

There are no concrete details about what the story will be for the new movie, but the original script came from Mark Hentemann and Alec Sulkin. And for now, we don’t have an official title, just ‘Untitled Naked Gun Movie’, which is far from inspiring.

Who is making the new ‘Naked Gun’ movie?

Akiva Schaffer, who last directed successful Disney+ movie ‘Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers’ teamed back up with writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, who penned that film, to create their own draft.

Seth MacFarlane is producing the new movie, having convinced old friend and colleague Neeson to star.