Natasha Lyonne, best known for Netflix’s Russian Doll and Poker Face, has officially marked her arrival in the MCU with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Since her involvement in the project, many have theorized that she might play Alicia Masters, a love interest of Ben Grimm. Now, there has been clarity on her role with the release of the movie. The theory has been proven wrong—she plays Rachel Rozman. Her character does not originate from the comics and is purely a new creation. Rozman is a teacher by profession, based in a fictional neighborhood of New York, Yancy Street. She is also a good ally to Benn Grimm, also known as The Thing.
In an interview with ScreenRant, Lyonne expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with Marvel, but stayed tight-lipped when asked whether the character she’s playing is top secret. She said, “I guess so! I’m just trying to kind of honor the ways of the Marvel, but I’m very excited about it, and the movie is extraordinary. I think people are going to love it, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
Earlier, in another interview, she refused to disclose her mystery role in First Steps but expressed enthusiasm for the chance to work with the studios. She said, “I’m not allowed to say anything [about who I’m portraying]. I’m old enough to know that the whole thing is a gift and gravy and rare, and [I’m] taking it in stride.” (via CBR)
Lyonne is set to appear in Bad Guys 2, where she voices a character named Doom—a name strikingly similar to Marvel’s next big bad, played by Robert Downey Jr. In an interview with Comic Book, she revealed whether she knew about the character’s name before joining the Pedro Pascal-led movie. She added, “ hadn’t occurred to me until this moment. Life is a series of coincidences coming at me, and I just do my best.”
Although The Fantastic Four: First Steps is Lyonne’s live-action debut, she has previously been a part of an MCU series— What If…? Season 3. She lent her voice to Byrdie, who is the hybrid daughter of Howard the Duck and Darcy. Her character possesses impressive powers, including cosmic energy manipulation, energy infusion, superhuman strength, stamina, and healing abilities. On top of that, she has a genius-level intellect, excels at aerial combat, and can fly.
She teamed up with Captain Carter, Kahhori, and Storm to battle the evil watchers, who intended to murder every variant of the Exiles out of existence. But Captain Carter, who has already lost so much, isn’t in the mood to lose any more friends and doesn’t let the Watchers win. She ultimately sacrifices herself and rescues her friends by sending them to a Strange Supreme-created universe. On the observational plane, the remaining exiles, along with Uatu, hold onto Carter’s shield as they mourn her passing. They piece together the shield and send it through the Observational Plane. Uatu then reveals that he can feel Captain Carter’s presence and believes she is watching over them. Byrdie listens to the conversation as Storm questions a life beyond the multiverse, while Kahhori shares that in her culture, death isn’t considered an ultimate end. As the episode comes to a close, Uatu narrates a new version of the What if…? introduction.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters.
