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Explaining Rachel Rozman, Natasha Lyonne's Fantastic Four: First Steps character [Lore Corner]
Poker Face star Lyonne's character might have even longtime Marvel Comics readers scratching their heads after they get out of Fantastic Four: First Steps. Allow us to clear up the confusion
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This article contains spoilers for Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps
I know, I know, everybody's talking about the moment Pedro Pascal is having right now. And while I'm absolutely here for the dawn of lovable sci-fi dads that he seems to be ushering in, I'd like to point out that Summer of 2025 could also arguably belong to one Natasha Lyonne. Not only did her mystery series Poker Face triumphantly return to Peacock, but she made her live-action MCU debut as Rachel Rozman in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
But just who is Rachel Rozman? It's a question that even the most well-versed Marvel die-hard doesn't have a ready answer to. Fortunately, we've done some sleuthing of our own, and while we're nowhere near the level of Lyonne's Charlie Kale, we've come up with a couple things to know about what the actor playing her was doing in this summer's biggest Marvel movie.
Who is Rachel Rozman in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Let's start off simple here - Natasha Lyonne's Rachel Rozman is an inhabitant of Earth-828, just like the First Family of the MCU. She is a school teacher by trade and lives in New York City, where she comes to be in a romantic relationship with Ben Grimm, AKA The Thing, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Rachel has no superpowers to speak of but, as the paramore of Aunt Petunia Grimm's favorite nephew, holds a certain amount of sway with the MCU's Fantastic Four.
Who is Rachel Rozman in Marvel Comics?
Ah, so here's the thing - Rachel Rozman isn't anyone in Marvel Comics. Yes, the Russian Doll star is playing an original character created only for the MCU, though we have to bring up a couple of possible points of pre-existing inspiration. One of those is the Marvel Comics character Debbie Green. Like Rachel, Debbie is both a school teacher and girlfriend to Ben Grimm - Debbie debuted Fantastic Four #554 and was created by Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch.
Why the name Rachel Rozman?
The other inspiration for Rachel, we presume, doesn't actually come from the comics at all. Well, save for the fact that it comes from the personal life of the guy that's responsible for them. Fantastic Four creator (and King of Comics) Jack Kirby was married to a woman named Rosalind Goldstein from 1942 until he passed in 1994. Rosalind's nickname, as you might've guessed, was "Roz."
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters now.
Consider this a meta post-credits scene for Marvel fans - the four key articles you need to read next to continue the thrills:
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