H.E.R.B.I.E. is finally getting his moment in the spotlight, and Star Wars fans will likely recognise the voice bringing him to life. Marvel Studios has confirmed that Matthew Wood, best known for voicing General Grievous across various Star Wars projects, will lend his voice to the lovable robot in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
According to director Matt Shakman, production made use of a wooden puppet and a functioning animatronic version of the character to give the cast something real to interact with. Shakman emphasised H.E.R.B.I.E.’s importance to the story, describing him as Reed Richards’ “right hand” and a regular fixture at the family dinner table. His words suggest a role that goes far beyond background comic relief. One moment teased in promotional images even shows H.E.R.B.I.E. assembling a baby crib, hinting at the robot’s emotional investment in the team’s domestic life as well.
Wood’s casting comes after months of speculation. Rumours initially suggested Natasha Lyonne might voice the character, but those whispers were put to rest with Empire Magazine’s coverage of the film. Lyonne is still in the mix, though her role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps remains under wraps, following her appearance as Byrdie in What If…? Season 3.
Joining Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm, H.E.R.B.I.E. becomes part of a new take on the iconic team. Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn round out the quartet as Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm. The cast also includes Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, Ralph Ineson as Galactus, and supporting roles for Paul Walter Hauser, Sarah Niles, and John Malkovich.
H.E.R.B.I.E.’s inclusion ties back to classic Fantastic Four lore, originally created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1978 as a child-friendly alternative when the Human Torch was unavailable for animation rights. This new film appears to embrace that legacy while giving H.E.R.B.I.E. more agency and emotional nuance than before.
Plot specifics remain guarded, but with Galactus and Shalla-Bal set as the primary antagonists, and growing theories that the team may be multiverse refugees from a destroyed dimension, there’s potential for real stakes. Whatever the outcome, H.E.R.B.I.E.’s role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks to be both charming and surprisingly emotional, ensuring his place as more than just a mechanical sidekick.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in cinemas on 25 July 2025.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Si Jia
