Paul Walter Hauser is having one of Hollywood's most stacked years, with a Prime Video action-comedy, a Chris Farley biopic, a Resident Evil reboot, and more already lined up for 2026. But he did not come this far without going through cuts, especially when it came to Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Hauser played Harvey Elder, aka the Mole Man, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and roughly half his scenes were cut before release. His role was originally designed to bridge the team's history, appear in flashbacks, and provide a classic villain foil in the film's retro-futuristic 1960s world. A key confrontation with Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm was among the removed scenes.

"It's still not going to be whatever you're thinking it's going to be," he admitted during an appearance on Out of Order.

He noted, "…especially if you’re an actor, filmmaker," emphasizing that no career milestone shields you from the unpredictability of the final cut.

The cut scenes were not just filler; they carried real narrative weight. Hauser's Mole Man was meant to establish the Fantastic Five lore, teasing the history of Franklin Richards and giving the First Family a recognizable antagonist from the comics. The Sue Storm scene specifically would have shown her threatening to give him an aneurysm, revealing a darker, more forceful side of her character that never reached audiences in the theatrical version.

While Marvel quietly trimmed his arc, the rest of Hollywood clearly got the memo. Paul Walter Hauser's 2026 slate tells a very different story.

Paul Walter Hauser's packed plate beyond Fantastic Four: First Steps

Hauser is currently one of the most in-demand character actors working today. He stars alongside Mark Wahlberg in Balls Up, the Prime Video action-comedy that premiered in April 2026 to a strong reception. Beyond that, he is set to portray late comedy legend Chris Farley in a biopic directed by Josh Gad, easily one of the most anticipated prestige roles of the coming cycle. He has also signed as a professional wrestler with Major League Wrestling, often bringing his championship belt to red carpets.

His upcoming slate adds even more weight. He has been cast as a character named Carl in the live-action Resident Evil reboot and will play real-life game show fraudster Michael Larson in Press Your Luck. Off-screen, he and wife Amy Boland now have three children under five, with the youngest daughter, Isla Grace, born in late 2025. Marvel may have trimmed his role, but the rest of Hollywood is still adding to it.

What are your thoughts on Paul Walter Hauser's scenes being cut from Fantastic Four: First Steps? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Shraddha Priyadarshi

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui