From the PROGRESS Wrestling ring to the Marvel Universe: Charles Crowley becomes The Thing in Fantastic Four: First Steps
Fans of PROGRESS Wrestling know him as the theatrical mastermind of the British independent scene. Now, Charles Crowley has stepped beyond the ring ropes and into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, helping bring to life one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes.
A wrestler’s journey to the big screen
On 25 July 2025, Charles Crowley revealed that he helped portray Ben Grimm—better known as The Thing—in Marvel Studios’ latest blockbuster The Fantastic Four: First Steps. After five intense rounds of auditions, which included sessions with the director, accent coach and movement specialists, Crowley landed the role of physical performer in the full-body Thing suit.
For seven months, Crowley worked closely with the film’s lead cast, the visual effects team and motion capture experts. He described it as a transformative experience, filled with learning opportunities and unforgettable moments—one of which included helping fulfil a young fan’s Make-A-Wish dream. Though he admitted it was “real hot in there”, he called embodying The Thing “an absolute honour”.
A standout in PROGRESS Wrestling
Before stepping into superhero stardom, Charles Crowley had made a name for himself as one of the most engaging performers in PROGRESS Wrestling. He recently defeated Session Moth Martina at Chapter 178 and competed in the Proteus World Championship scramble match at Chapter 179 in Las Vegas. Known for his character work, showmanship and in-ring psychology, Crowley has been a fan favourite and a central figure in recent PROGRESS storylines.
His impact goes beyond the ring. When actor Paul Walter Hauser — himself a PROGRESS titleholder —attended the Fantastic Four premiere, he wore the PROTEUS Championship belt, a nod to the growing connection between wrestling and the wider world of film and television.
A strong start for Fantastic Four: First Steps
The film has enjoyed a successful start at the box office, with early previews bringing in £18.9 million, making it the strongest MCU preview showing of 2025 so far. It is projected to gross between £77 million and £85 million domestically over its opening weekend, with a further £70–77 million expected from international markets. That would give the film a global debut of approximately £147–162 million—exceeding the entire theatrical run of the 2015 Fantastic Four reboot.
Critics have responded positively, praising the film’s retro 1960s aesthetic, heartfelt storytelling and strong ensemble cast. It has been called the definitive take on Marvel’s First Family, with strong audience reactions and healthy word of mouth driving continued interest.
A new chapter for PROGRESS Wrestling
Charles Crowley’s success is another example of PROGRESS Wrestling’s ability to cultivate talent capable of making waves far beyond the British wrestling scene. His story exemplifies the diverse opportunities available to performers who blend physicality with creativity and character work.
As Crowley returns to the ring later this summer, fans can look forward to seeing how this transformative experience influences his next chapter in PROGRESS. Whether in front of cameras or beneath the lights of the Ballroom, his journey is a reminder of just how far the wrestling world can reach.
You can see Fantastic Four stars Paul Walter Hauser and Charles Crowley at Chapter 183: 100 Volts. Get your PROGRESS Wrestling tickets here.