Jessica Alba Reflects on 'Fantastic Four' Scene She Regrets

Jessica Alba has spoken candidly about a moment in her acting career that she would rather forget. During a discussion at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Alba was asked to recall her least favourite scene from her time in the industry. She did not hesitate to point to a particular sequence from the first instalment of The Fantastic Four, describing the experience as deeply uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable Memories from a Blockbuster

Alba referred to the scene in question, which takes place on a bridge and features her character, Storm, in a state of undress. She did not mince words about her feelings towards it, stating,

“I thought that was awful.”

She went on to explain her discomfort, saying,

“It was very humiliating in real life. I grew up with a pretty conservative family, and I am a pretty modest person. I dreaded that scene for weeks. I have a lot of whiplash from those days.”

The actress made it clear that the experience left a lasting impression, and she considers it a low point in her professional journey.

Fondness for the Role Despite Challenges

Despite her misgivings about that particular moment, Alba still holds a certain affection for her time as Storm in the two films released in 2005 and 2007. She described the character as

“very maternal and very kind, but also not a pushover; she spoke her mind. She had a great moral compass. No matter who you are, you can look up to her.”

Alba also reflected on the way female characters were often portrayed at the time, noting,

“Oftentimes, the women in these stories need to be saved by a guy or the villain, the problem in the story. This was back then. It’s different now.”

Family Life and New Adaptations

Alba admitted she has yet to see Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest adaptation featuring Vanessa Kirby as Storm, which premiered this summer. She explained that family viewing habits tend to be dictated by her children’s preferences, saying,

“I usually watch those films with my kids, and if Sonic was out, my son wants to watch it 85 times in a row. When it comes to films that are for the family, my kids dominate what we watch for sure. But I have to convince him because we have to see it! I love Marvel, and they’re so fun.”

Other Highlights from the Festival

The Red Sea Film Festival also saw Michael Caine make a rare public appearance to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award. During an emotional address, Caine, who arrived in a wheelchair, confirmed that he had brought his acting career to a close, remarking,

“I kept going until I was 90, which is two years ago. I’m not going to do anything else, I’ve had all the luck I can get.”