Summary

Paul Walter Hauser was hesitant to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s
Fantastic Four
movie, acknowledging previous adaptations of the superhero team didn’t quite hit the mark.
Director Matt Shakman and Hauser reunite in the MCU after working together during Season 6 of
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Hauser will bid adieu to Stingray in the final season of
Cobra Kai
and guarantees fans a proper “farewell” to the character.

The Karate Kid fans know Paul Walter Hauser for his portrayal of the annoying but lovable Stingray in the Netflix series Cobra Kai. However, the character actor will be swapping out his martial arts Gi when he plays an as of yet unrevealed role in the MCU’s upcoming Fantastic Four movie, which stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, plus Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm and her alter ego, the Invisible Woman. But before inking any contracts, Hauser pondered the fact that the previous big-screen adaptations of the Fantastic Four failed. Hauser said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter:

“Don’t think that didn’t weigh in as I was deciding whether or not to take the job.
That movie has not fully been nailed just yet.
But I really do think the combination of the screenplay, and the department heads that are working on the film, and that classy cast of really exciting actors
— some of them known for a long time, and some of them having a moment right now —
this movie is special. And it was something I wanted to be a part of.”

Fantastic Four (2025) Release Date July 25, 2025 Format Theatrical Studio Marvel Studios Franchise Marvel Expand

Fantastic Four director Matt Shakman and Hauser formerly collaborated together on the Season 6 episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, titled “Dee Reynolds: Shaping America’s Youth.” And Hauser thinks “it’s really exciting” teaming up with Shakman all these years later in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hauser revealed in the same conversation:

“Matt Shakman directed me years ago in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
To come back together and collaborate on this movie in some capacity,
it’s really exciting. I’m excited to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”

Check out how the previous Silver Screen adaptations of the Fantastic Four fared at the worldwide box office along with their respective CinemaScores and Tomatometer ratings below:

Fantastic Four (2005): $333.5 million | “B” | 28% FF — Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007): $301.9 million | “B” | 38% Fantastic Four (2015): $167.9 million | “C-” | 9%

Cobra Kai Fans Will Bid ‘Farewell’ to Stingray in Season 6

Paul Walter Hauser is all set to show up in the MCU’s Fantastic Four film, and the actor will also return to the dojo one last time in the final season of Cobra Kai as Stingray. Netflix announced that Season 6 of Cobra Kai will be split into three different five-episode installments, which begin when Part I drops on July 18. Hauser isn’t saying which of the 15 episodes he will appear in, but the actor does assure the fans that they “will get a farewell for Stingray.” Hauser said in an interview with TV Insider:

“I recently was plucked by Marvel for a role in their latest Fantastic Four.
Before that, I had never gotten a call from a DC or Marvel to be part of a universe. Nobody was knocking on my door to be in a Ninja Turtles movie.
To be part of The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai lore does mean a lot to me.
As far as the final season goes, you will definitely see Stingray appear.
I won’t say when or how, but you will get a farewell for Stingray.”

Related Best Paul Walter Hauser Performances, Ranked Paul Walter Hauser loves playing characters, so we’ve broken down which performances are his best.

In addition to the MCU’s Fantastic Four and the Cobra Kai series, Hauser has been busy with Orion and the Dark, not to mention the upcoming Naked Gun film, which is led by none other than Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr. The famed Frank Drebin, of course, was originally portrayed by the late Leslie Nielsen. Nielsen brought the bumbling detective to life on both television and in three Naked Gun feature films.

Fantastic Four
drops in movie theaters on July 25, 2025.