Tim Blake Nelson has joined the cast of Josh Trank’s upcoming Marvel Comics adaptation The Fantastic Four. The Hollywood Reporter says that he’ll be playing Harvey Elder opposite Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Michael B. Jordan and Toby Kebbell.
Comic book fans will recall Elder’s name as being the alternate identity of the subterranean ruler known as the Mole Man. In comic book lore, Elder was a scientist who, after being lost on an expedition to Monster Island, wound up discovering the world of Subterranea. Because he was mocked by the surface world for his theories regarding the underground kingdom, Elder decided to stay and became the world’s ruler. Although the Mole Man was the villain of the very first “Fantastic Four” comic, the trade notes that Elder is slated to appear as a scientist only, potentially setting the Mole Man up for future sequels.
Nelson is no stranger to playing scientists-turned-Marvel-Comics-supervillains. He played Dr. Samuel Sterns (aka the Leader) in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.
The Fantastic Four is set for release on June 19, 2015.
(Photo Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN.com)
