Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell talk about ‘Fantastic Four’

Kate Mara, left, as Sue Storm and Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm face off against a powerful enemy in “Fantastic Four.” (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox film corporation)

Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell co-star along with Miles Teller as the Fantastic Four. Michael plays Johnny Storm, Kate plays his adopted sister, Sue, and Jamie plays Ben Grimm, aka The Thing.

Here, the talented trio talk about the reboot of the beloved Marvel Comics film franchise.

Did you get any advice from the actors who previously played your roles?

Kate: I had not met Jessica Alba until recently, actually. We were on an airplane together.

Jamie: Weirdly, Michael Chiklis was also on a plane I was on. But I was too scared to talk to him. Michael, did you speak to Chris [Evans]?

Michael: I talked to Chris when I met him at a Vanity Fair party right before we started shooting. We laughed about it and thought it was cool. He said, “Go do a great job.” That was it.

Kate: Do a good job. That’s good advice Chris has.

Jamie: Exactly!

What’s it like to be called — and to have to be — fantastic?

Jamie: I wish Miles [Teller] were here. Miles would say, “It’s easy.” [All three laugh]

Michael: Seriously, it’s pretty cool.

Jamie: It’s an honor.

Kate: Yeah.

With so many classic films being redone, is there a remake you’d like to star in?

Jamie: I don’t know.

Michael: Repo Men.

Kate: I’d like to remake Gypsy, and play the stripper. [Everybody laughs]

How did you prepare to play your roles?

Michael: I think it was already programmed into me from reading the comic books and being so familiar with Johnny growing up. So, there wasn’t really too much preparation for it, since I already knew his characteristics.

Kate: A lot of the preparation was just in talking to our director about our characters and about what the journey was going to be like for them.

I really enjoyed how much attention the picture paid to the characters’ formative years.

Kate: That aspect of the film was one of the things that really excited me, when I read the script. Learning about these characters before they become superheroes.

If you could have a “superhuman” power in real-life, what would you choose?

Michael: The ability to teleport.

Jamie: Oh, yeah, teleportation!

Kate: I think I’d like to be able to fly. That would be a cool superpower.

Michael, Which was tougher: Climbing the Hollywood showbiz ladder or growing up in Newark?

Kate: [Exclaims] Ooooooh! [Then chuckles]

Michael: That’s pretty good. That’s a good question. I’ll say, growing up in Newark wasn’t easy by any means, but having a solid family foundation and the community really pushed me forward. So, I had an easier route than most. I’ve certainly been blessed. The Hollywood industry is pretty rough for anybody, regardless of background, as Jamie, Kate or anybody else enjoying longevity and true success can attest to.

Jamie, you found fame very early in life when you played the title character in Billy Elliot. How did you avoid all the pitfalls that plagued so many child stars?

Jamie: I don’t know. I can’t say that I avoided all the pitfalls. I’ve been lucky to have a lot of people close to me who keep me very sane and normal.

Kate: Jamie’s just an amazing person, and no amount of success would ever change the way he is.

Jamie: Thanks, Kate!