Mark Gatiss Beat Marvel Auditions but Lost a Dance Number

Even in a career packed with genre heavyweights, landing a role in Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps still felt like a surprise for Mark Gatiss, especially because he didn’t have to jump through the usual hoops. Gatiss played Ted Gilbert, a vintage-style television host featured in the film’s retro-flavored opening sequence.

"Matt Shakman just asked me to do it, which was thrilling and I think very unusual," he said. "I think almost everyone has to audition. So yeah, I was delighted." He filmed an extended, stylized introductory segment that included a dance number he says he both dreaded and enjoyed — only for it to be removed in the edit.

"And my only regret is I had a dance number with my girls in the beginning," Gatiss said. "And I was dreading it, but I ended up really enjoying it, and then it was cut." The sequence was designed as a retro television performance leading into the larger story, but it didn’t make the final cut.

mark gatiss, marvel, fantastic four, first steps, ted gilbert, matt shakman, dance number, retro television, opening sequence, auditions