Marvel reveals official details for H.E.R.B.I.E. – Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-Type, Integrated Electronics – in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, including the voice actor behind the role.
HERBIE actually first appeared in the Fantastic Four animated series in 1978 and then was adapted into the comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Mister Fantastic created HERBIE with a Xandarian (yes, Xandar is the planet Thanos blew up at the start of Infinity War ) with their hopes being the robot could help them in their search for Galactus.
H.E.R.B.I.E. Confirmed as Key Member of the Fantastic Four Team
While speaking with Empire Magazine about The Fantastic Four: First Steps, director Matt Shakman said the android is a member of the family and an asset to the Baxter Building:
“He’s absolutely as important and as alive as any other member of the cast. He’s sometimes a slightly put-upon robot, but he is definitely a member of the family. He’s just so charming and adorable. He is really Reed’s right hand in the lab, capable of assisting him on any sort of experiment, always by his side whether in New York City or out in space.”
Brought to life by a combination of remote-control practical FX, puppetry, and CGI
Marvel also finally reveals the actor behind HERBIE. At one time, fans thought Natasha Lyonne was actually providing the voice. It’s revealed the voice behind HERBIE is sound editor and voice actor Matthew Wood, who is known for a plethora of work including having voiced characters in Marvel’s What If…? animated series, X-Men ’97, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, in addition to various Star Wars projects. He brought General Grievous to life, and more.
“Our ‘prime’ one has fully moving head and arms,” SFX supervisor Alistair Williams said. “We’ve had him driving around the set, cleaning, picking up toys, serving Martinis…”
“He’s charming, he’s funny — but he also will break your heart,” added Shakman. “Which I hope is emblematic of the movie.”
Release info
The Fantastic Four: First Steps gets released on July 25, 2025. Starring includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Josepeh Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
