Fantastic Four Reboot: Ripped apart by critics and fans alike
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Don't know why I've this feeling but this is going to turn out shitty... (Call me a pessimist :gg
Oh ok ......
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People expect too much from a.reboot.they are bound to be disappointedDon't know why I've this feeling but this is going to turn out shitty... (Call me a pessimist :gg
[h=1]‘Fantastic Four’ Reboot’ Will Please ‘Chronicle’ Fans Says Matthew Vaughn[/h]
Fox’s Fantastic Fourreboot is on our list of 2015 box office risks because it seems to be the one major superhero tentpole movie that has little fan love, and even less studio PR support behind it. With some eight months to go until release, we’ve seen zero footage from Chronicle director Josh Trank’s new take on Marvel’s first family; no promo images of the cast in costume, not even official concept art revealing what the finished product is supposed to be. In the meantime, no news has given rise to bad rumors about the state of production, or the studio’s opinion of the finished product.
Well, one person is stepping out in support of Fantastic Four, and it is none other than Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn, whose new movie Kingsman: The Secret Service hits theaters soon, and has already gotten good early reviews. According to Vaughn, if you liked Chronicle you’ll like the new Fantastic Four. But is Vaughn saying more than he meant to in that statement?
Here’s the exact quote from Vaughn (via Flickering Myth)
Chronicle
There have always been rumors of found-footage format being at least part of the movie (say, when the Four are first training with their powers) – and again, it’s easy to see how Trank would use that to service the film. After all, that same video journal format helped ground the more fantastical parts of the first Iron Man film, and still made it an entertaining showcase for the charisma of star Robert Downey Jr.
Fantastic Four‘s cast – Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell – all have charisma in their own right and solid banter skills, so a Vlog of their strange shared origin could oddly turn out to be one of the better aspects of the movie. Even actor Toby Kebbell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) is charismatic, so his version of Doctor Doom (whether an evil computer nerd and/or megalomaniacal dictator) could also be more entertaining for his personality than any super villain action.
It’s best to remember that this validation of Fantastic Four is also coming from Vaughn, whose own superhero films have all been distinguished by interesting cinematic techniques and sequences; snappy scripts and dialogue; and some impressive action. So if HE is impressed, maybe Trank’s movie does indeed hit all those marks and delivers something special. Maybe?
-We won’t know anything for sure until Fantastic Fourreleases some official marketing material – hopefully sometime before its August 7th release date.
Source: Flickering Myth
Well, one person is stepping out in support of Fantastic Four, and it is none other than Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn, whose new movie Kingsman: The Secret Service hits theaters soon, and has already gotten good early reviews. According to Vaughn, if you liked Chronicle you’ll like the new Fantastic Four. But is Vaughn saying more than he meant to in that statement?
Here’s the exact quote from Vaughn (via Flickering Myth)
“I’ve seen the movie, it’s good… I thought Chronicle was a fantastic movie and [Josh] Trank has gone off and done his version of Fantastic Four. If you like Chronicle, then you’ll like this… We’re all backing Josh Trank’s vision… And hopefully the world will like Josh Trank’s vision.”
Here’s the official synopsis for Fantastic Four:
THE FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
It’s not hard to see the correlation: Chronicle was about three teens discovering a power source that gave them superhuman abilities, and forced them to cope with that reality in the context of teen angst; Fantastic Four will basically tell that same tale. It’s actually a story closer to the Ultimate Fantastic Four comics of the 2000s, but it’s definitely in the same wheelhouse as Chronicle – but does that mean the format of Josh Trank’s storytelling will largely be the same?
There have always been rumors of found-footage format being at least part of the movie (say, when the Four are first training with their powers) – and again, it’s easy to see how Trank would use that to service the film. After all, that same video journal format helped ground the more fantastical parts of the first Iron Man film, and still made it an entertaining showcase for the charisma of star Robert Downey Jr.
Fantastic Four‘s cast – Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell – all have charisma in their own right and solid banter skills, so a Vlog of their strange shared origin could oddly turn out to be one of the better aspects of the movie. Even actor Toby Kebbell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) is charismatic, so his version of Doctor Doom (whether an evil computer nerd and/or megalomaniacal dictator) could also be more entertaining for his personality than any super villain action.
It’s best to remember that this validation of Fantastic Four is also coming from Vaughn, whose own superhero films have all been distinguished by interesting cinematic techniques and sequences; snappy scripts and dialogue; and some impressive action. So if HE is impressed, maybe Trank’s movie does indeed hit all those marks and delivers something special. Maybe?
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Source: Flickering Myth
[h=1]‘Fantastic Four’ Rumor Patrol: Movie Reboot a ‘Mess’; Reshoots Scheduled[/h]
Last year, Fox got a much-needed lift in the superhero genre when its X-Men: Days of Future Past became a roaring critical and commercial success during the summer movie season, revitalizing one of the studio’s largest franchises and paving the way for bigger things in the followup, Apocalypse. However, it’s not all sunshine and roses for Fox, as the studio’s other Marvel comic book-based property appears to be struggling.
That would be a reference to the Fantastic Four reboot, which is scheduled to hit theaters this summer. Despite production wrapping up six months ago, we’ve yet to see anything official in terms of marketing materials, which has only made matters worse for a film that has generated one controversy after another thanks to the furor over casting decisions and narrative storylines (to name a few issues fans have raised).
Josh Trank’s relaunch of Marvel’s First Family on film received its first bit of good news in a while very recently, when Kingsman: The Secret Service director Matthew Vaughn praised the film and claimed fans of Trank’s previous endeavor, Chronicle, will thoroughly enjoy it. That’s all fine and good, but it won’t mean anything if the higher ups at Fox don’t like it – and that’s apparently the case.
Bleeding Cool, citing an unnamed senior executive at Fox, is reporting that Fantastic Four is “a mess” and the powers that be at the studio are currently concerned about the state of the project. Things are allegedly so bad that reshoots are being demanded, and sets are being re-built in Louisiana, where principal photography took place last year.
‘Fantastic Four’ reboot director Josh Trank
There are other, related, reports from Tiger Droppings and Daily Beast (hat tip Nerd Reactor) that members of the Fantastic Four reboot production crew were mistreated during filming, and that Trank caused so much damage to the film’s sets that Fox CEO & Chairman Jim Gianopulos was forced to fly out to Baton Rouge and apologize to the staff of the Celtic Media Center (where the sets had been assembled).
Now, given that these are rumors, it is important to take all of this information with a healthy dose of salt. While the allegations about Trank’s behavior are troubling, this is the first time we’re hearing of them; and the “mess” comment from the Fox executive could just be the opinion of one person (and his or her colleagues are fine with the movie). Furthermore, reshoots are part of the blockbuster process all the time and happen more frequently than not. When Avengers: Age of Ultron had some late last year, it didn’t cause anyone to fret. All this fuss could be a bunch of hearsay.
In fact, Badass Digest is claiming these rumors are just that, as the site reports that the Fantastic Four reshoots “have been planned for well over a month” and that Josh Trank is still onboard as the director. Moreover, the purpose for these reshoots is supposedly “to add some more action to what has shaken out to be a character-driven film.”
That said, this is the Fantastic Four reboot we’re talking about; and given its much-maligned road to the screen, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising if at least part of these reports came true. It is rather odd that we have yet to see even a photo of the cast in costume, so perhaps Fox lacks the confidence to give the film its full backing? Is the studio holding off on revealing anything until it’s happy with the overall product?
This latest report won’t do anything to quell the fears comic fans have about this film; instead it will only add fuel to the fire. With such little time to go before its scheduled theatrical premiere, Fox will need to work overtime to reverse popular opinion and get moviegoers excited for another cinematic outing with the Fantastic Four. If the negative press keeps adding up like this, the reboot could be DOA before we knew what happened.
Fantastic Four is slated for release on August 7, 2015.
Sources: Bleeding Cool, Nerd Reactor, Badass Digest
Header image from Spitfire666xXxXx @ DeviantArt
Follow Chris Agar on Twitter @ChrisAgar90
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well we won't be seeing that trailer anytime soon than !
That would be a reference to the Fantastic Four reboot, which is scheduled to hit theaters this summer. Despite production wrapping up six months ago, we’ve yet to see anything official in terms of marketing materials, which has only made matters worse for a film that has generated one controversy after another thanks to the furor over casting decisions and narrative storylines (to name a few issues fans have raised).
Josh Trank’s relaunch of Marvel’s First Family on film received its first bit of good news in a while very recently, when Kingsman: The Secret Service director Matthew Vaughn praised the film and claimed fans of Trank’s previous endeavor, Chronicle, will thoroughly enjoy it. That’s all fine and good, but it won’t mean anything if the higher ups at Fox don’t like it – and that’s apparently the case.
Bleeding Cool, citing an unnamed senior executive at Fox, is reporting that Fantastic Four is “a mess” and the powers that be at the studio are currently concerned about the state of the project. Things are allegedly so bad that reshoots are being demanded, and sets are being re-built in Louisiana, where principal photography took place last year.
There are other, related, reports from Tiger Droppings and Daily Beast (hat tip Nerd Reactor) that members of the Fantastic Four reboot production crew were mistreated during filming, and that Trank caused so much damage to the film’s sets that Fox CEO & Chairman Jim Gianopulos was forced to fly out to Baton Rouge and apologize to the staff of the Celtic Media Center (where the sets had been assembled).
Now, given that these are rumors, it is important to take all of this information with a healthy dose of salt. While the allegations about Trank’s behavior are troubling, this is the first time we’re hearing of them; and the “mess” comment from the Fox executive could just be the opinion of one person (and his or her colleagues are fine with the movie). Furthermore, reshoots are part of the blockbuster process all the time and happen more frequently than not. When Avengers: Age of Ultron had some late last year, it didn’t cause anyone to fret. All this fuss could be a bunch of hearsay.
In fact, Badass Digest is claiming these rumors are just that, as the site reports that the Fantastic Four reshoots “have been planned for well over a month” and that Josh Trank is still onboard as the director. Moreover, the purpose for these reshoots is supposedly “to add some more action to what has shaken out to be a character-driven film.”
That said, this is the Fantastic Four reboot we’re talking about; and given its much-maligned road to the screen, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising if at least part of these reports came true. It is rather odd that we have yet to see even a photo of the cast in costume, so perhaps Fox lacks the confidence to give the film its full backing? Is the studio holding off on revealing anything until it’s happy with the overall product?
This latest report won’t do anything to quell the fears comic fans have about this film; instead it will only add fuel to the fire. With such little time to go before its scheduled theatrical premiere, Fox will need to work overtime to reverse popular opinion and get moviegoers excited for another cinematic outing with the Fantastic Four. If the negative press keeps adding up like this, the reboot could be DOA before we knew what happened.
Fantastic Four is slated for release on August 7, 2015.
Sources: Bleeding Cool, Nerd Reactor, Badass Digest
Header image from Spitfire666xXxXx @ DeviantArt
Follow Chris Agar on Twitter @ChrisAgar90
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well we won't be seeing that trailer anytime soon than !
[h=1]‘Fantastic Four’ Trailer Debuts February 13th Alongside ‘Kingsman’[/h]
Adding fuel to the fire over casting, the story, the relationship with Marvel Comics, and general confusion over the plans for Fantastic Four, this week saw rumors and reports painting a bleak picture for the current status of director Josh Trank’s reboot of The Fantastic Four movie franchise. Exaggerated headlines claimed the film was becoming Chronicle 2 (a quasi-sequel to Trank’s first hit) and wasn’t what studio Twentieth Century Fox was looking for.
With seemingly frequently release date changes and a pre-announced sequel (which also had its date changed) already planned, it’s not helping concerned fans that there’s yet to be any marketing at all for The Fantastic Four reboot despite it finishing production six months ago. The perceived problem (it might not end up being a problem at all) was exacerbated thanks a few outlets claiming that sources inside Fox were describing the project as a “mess.”
They went on to explain that reshoots are on the way because of it – even though that’s a normal part of the post-production process – but now we have word from writer-producer Simon Kinberg who’s attempting to let the world know thing aren’t that bad. LR chatted with Kinberg, who explained the reshoots and confirmed when the first Fantastic Four trailer will release.
It’s hard to know what to expect from Trank and the first look at his take on The Fantastic Four but we wouldn’t expect to see superhero costumes that look anything like the comics. Instead, expect more of Chronicle-esque young people with powers in plain clothes. We do though expect to see the new CGI version of Ben Grimm as The Thing, given the rumors over what his character may look like in the film.
We can only recommend that skeptics reserve judgement until we actually see something. The only thing we know for sure is that Trank made one really good movie and that whatever he’s up to now helped him land a Star Wars directorial job. Combine that with Fox’s confidence in a sequel and eventual crossover with the X-Men franchise - and the talented cast playing the leads – and it’s easy to see how The Fantastic Four just might surprise everyone.
Source: LR
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Correction, trialer indeed coming soon though
With seemingly frequently release date changes and a pre-announced sequel (which also had its date changed) already planned, it’s not helping concerned fans that there’s yet to be any marketing at all for The Fantastic Four reboot despite it finishing production six months ago. The perceived problem (it might not end up being a problem at all) was exacerbated thanks a few outlets claiming that sources inside Fox were describing the project as a “mess.”
They went on to explain that reshoots are on the way because of it – even though that’s a normal part of the post-production process – but now we have word from writer-producer Simon Kinberg who’s attempting to let the world know thing aren’t that bad. LR chatted with Kinberg, who explained the reshoots and confirmed when the first Fantastic Four trailer will release.
“To confirm – Fantastic Four will be doing 3-4 days of additional photography with director Josh Trank and some key cast members. We are very excited about the film and can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been up to. And you will be able to do that very soon as I can confirm here that the teaser will be on Kingsman in theaters February 13.”
Expect it online the day of or day before Kingsman: The Secret Service – another Fox movie – opens.
It’s hard to know what to expect from Trank and the first look at his take on The Fantastic Four but we wouldn’t expect to see superhero costumes that look anything like the comics. Instead, expect more of Chronicle-esque young people with powers in plain clothes. We do though expect to see the new CGI version of Ben Grimm as The Thing, given the rumors over what his character may look like in the film.
We can only recommend that skeptics reserve judgement until we actually see something. The only thing we know for sure is that Trank made one really good movie and that whatever he’s up to now helped him land a Star Wars directorial job. Combine that with Fox’s confidence in a sequel and eventual crossover with the X-Men franchise - and the talented cast playing the leads – and it’s easy to see how The Fantastic Four just might surprise everyone.
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Fantastic Four opens August 7, 2015, Deadpool on February 12, 2016, X-Men: Apocalypse on May 27, 2016, Gambit is coming October 7, 2016, The Wolverine 3 (not the official title) on March 3, 2017, Fantastic Four 2 on June 2, 2017, and some as-yet unspecified X-Men film on July 13th, 2018._____________________________________________
Source: LR
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Correction, trialer indeed coming soon though
[h=1]‘Fantastic Four’: Trailer & Costume Descriptions[/h]
Fox’s Fantastic Four reboot was the first thing in mind when it came time for our 5 Big Geek Movie Questions for 2015, since it’s the first big superhero movie to have literally nothing to show for itself just months out from release. But as the first trailer approaches, the shroud of secrecy is going to fall away and the marketing machine is going to reveal all that fans (and naysayers) have been waiting to dissect.
The first Fantastic Four trailer will arrive with Kingsman: The Secret Service, which hits US theaters around Valentine’s Day, but UK theaters on January 29th. That means we could definitely see a cut of the F4 trailer on Super Bowl Sunday – or at least online around that time.
[h=2]Trailer Description[/h]
For those wondering what the Fantastic Four trailer may entail, a Twitter user named “G@BRIELGR@Y” has posted a reaction that would suggest he’s seen a cut of the footage.
On a larger blockbuster scale, a concept like what’s seen above could definitely translate into a unique superhero movie experience. And yet, even great visuals won’t necessarily overcome the changes to the characters, their origins, or even iconic Marvel villains like Toby Kebbell’s Doctor Doom – all of which have fans looking at this project as an invalid representation of the brand.
Collider had a chance to speak with Trank, who had his to say about the film:
The cast of the last two Fantastic Four films
[h=2]Fantastic Four Costume Descriptions[/h]
Nerdist posted a video in which they claim to have a source close to the Fantastic Four reboot – a source who allegedly got a look at 3 out of the 4 costumes for the superhero team. Mr. Fantastic (Miles Teller), Human Torch (Michael B. Jordan) and The Thing (Jamie Bell) are the three that were spotted, and Nerdist went so far as getting an artist’s rendering based on what their source saw.
These could be 3 of your Fantastic Four costumes:
Previous reports DO fall in line with what is seen above. During the Fall 2014 season, Michael B. Jordan was quoted as saying the following regarding the new Fantastic Four costumes:
For further consideration, compare the drawing of Michael B. Jordan to this Fanastic Four set image posted by Collider:
Not exact, but one can see where (with some added visual effects) we could definitely arrive at something like the version in drawing.
Sources: Nerdist, Collider, Twitter & CBM
The first Fantastic Four trailer will arrive with Kingsman: The Secret Service, which hits US theaters around Valentine’s Day, but UK theaters on January 29th. That means we could definitely see a cut of the F4 trailer on Super Bowl Sunday – or at least online around that time.
[h=2]Trailer Description[/h]
For those wondering what the Fantastic Four trailer may entail, a Twitter user named “G@BRIELGR@Y” has posted a reaction that would suggest he’s seen a cut of the footage.
#FantasticFour trailer is surprisingly entertaining. Expect a grittier take but with some extremely fantastical elements too. #Optimistic.
— G@BRIELGR@Y (@GBRIELGRY) January 21, 2015
— G@BRIELGR@Y (@GBRIELGRY) January 21, 2015
@petr_hruby Couldn't be more different from the last incarnation, loose camera work, fast and gritty. Looks good, not to be written off.
— G@BRIELGR@Y (@GBRIELGRY) January 25, 2015
G@BRIELGR@Y has a history of breaking such scoops online, so this SPOILER-FREE description of the trailer is not entirely without merit. It also falls in line with what we’ve previously heard from those involved with the film, including writer/producer Simon Kinberg, producer Matthew Vaughn, or various members of the cast. The general consensus seems to be thatdirector Josh Trank (Chronicle) has attempted to ground (so to speak) the superpowered nature of the F4 mythos – in much the same way he did the psychic powers of teen metahumans in Chronicle. Check out that film’s original trailer for a memory jog:— G@BRIELGR@Y (@GBRIELGRY) January 25, 2015
On a larger blockbuster scale, a concept like what’s seen above could definitely translate into a unique superhero movie experience. And yet, even great visuals won’t necessarily overcome the changes to the characters, their origins, or even iconic Marvel villains like Toby Kebbell’s Doctor Doom – all of which have fans looking at this project as an invalid representation of the brand.
Collider had a chance to speak with Trank, who had his to say about the film:
JOSH TRANK: I think a lot of that stuff is stemming from the fact that we’ve consciously decided to not release anything official. This isn’t like The Avengers. Even when the first Avengers came out, there were four other movies that people were familiar with. The suits and the tone and the look and the feel. So they could release those things or drop them on Twitter. With Simon on the X-Men movies, there were other movies that came before the last X-Men movie so Bryan [Singer] could feel more confident in tweeting teases of what’s to come.
But this movie, we really want the audience to have the proper reaction to this material seeing it for the first time. You’ve really got to put your best foot forward. You can’t just leak an image to strike up a conversation. You want people to see something that has thought behind it. And the teaser should do just that. With conversations online, you can’t really control it. In this day and age people have come to expect that artists are going to give everybody information on Twitter about what they’re doing, but not every artist is like that. I’m not really like that. If I was painting a picture I wouldn’t want to take a picture of a single paint stroke. I’d rather show people what it looks like when it’s done.
But this movie, we really want the audience to have the proper reaction to this material seeing it for the first time. You’ve really got to put your best foot forward. You can’t just leak an image to strike up a conversation. You want people to see something that has thought behind it. And the teaser should do just that. With conversations online, you can’t really control it. In this day and age people have come to expect that artists are going to give everybody information on Twitter about what they’re doing, but not every artist is like that. I’m not really like that. If I was painting a picture I wouldn’t want to take a picture of a single paint stroke. I’d rather show people what it looks like when it’s done.
… I would just like to add in terms of the question of pick-ups or the implication of issues at hand, we had a seventy-two day shoot for principal photography. We were on-schedule and on-budget and we had a great shoot. I run a really tight ship as a director because I take those days very seriously. I take every day very seriously in terms of what we need to accomplish, what we need to get done with the actors. And I just like being on time.
And if the proposed costumes on the following page are any indication, fans might outright rage at what Trank and Co. have planned…
[h=2]Fantastic Four Costume Descriptions[/h]
These could be 3 of your Fantastic Four costumes:
Previous reports DO fall in line with what is seen above. During the Fall 2014 season, Michael B. Jordan was quoted as saying the following regarding the new Fantastic Four costumes:
It’s a new look. We are all in containment suits. It’s gritty. It’s a gritty film.
The costume process definitely took some time to get in and out of that thing, especially since I was bulking up. It was a little more snug during filming. We got through it man. It was a process, but we did it. It was hard work. I’m really excited about it, everyone is really happy. We worked hard for three months, put a lot of time into it. The script is very grounded and relatable to everybody, as much as you can. You really get a chance to grow with these characters. It’s an origin story. You get to discover these abilities – these disabilities rather – and grow with them.
Details in the drawings (and Nerdist‘s breakdown, which you can watch below) reveal that each suit is, er, suited to the respective character’s powers: springy open-ended long suit for Reed Richards; vented suit for Johnny Storm’s heat powers; and the never-ending challenge of finding pants for a rock man. The designs seem kitschy and retro like a Jack Kirby drawing from the ’60s (could just be the artist, admittedly) – but again, it begs the question: is this FANTASTIC FOUR?The costume process definitely took some time to get in and out of that thing, especially since I was bulking up. It was a little more snug during filming. We got through it man. It was a process, but we did it. It was hard work. I’m really excited about it, everyone is really happy. We worked hard for three months, put a lot of time into it. The script is very grounded and relatable to everybody, as much as you can. You really get a chance to grow with these characters. It’s an origin story. You get to discover these abilities – these disabilities rather – and grow with them.
For further consideration, compare the drawing of Michael B. Jordan to this Fanastic Four set image posted by Collider:
Not exact, but one can see where (with some added visual effects) we could definitely arrive at something like the version in drawing.
Sources: Nerdist, Collider, Twitter & CBM
Stills and poster
Official Fantastic Four Plot Synopsis
Official Fantastic Four Plot Synopsis
A contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
I had my doubts on this film considering how much controversy it has been surrounded with but I gotta say, loved the trailer. It was a very good first trailer, I am still not a 100% sold on this though because lets not kid ourselves, Transformers 4 trailer was awesome too.
[h=1]‘Fantastic Four’ Characters & Reboot Differences Explained[/h]
Fox’s Fantastic Four movie reboot has been a mystery throughout most of its production, but now that the first trailer for the film has been unveiled, both longtime fans and mainstream newcomers are beginning to take note (and offer opinion) about Chronicle director Josh Trank’s new vision of Marvel’s first family.
We’ve still seen precious little of the new Fantastic Four, but for those who know next to nothing about what this comic book is, and its long winding path through Hollywood, we’ve put together a quick and concise primer to bring you up to speed. We’ll also go a step further to let you know what Trank’s version will do differently – and just how much of that difference was inspired by the comics.
[h=2]Who Are The Fantastic Four?[/h]
The Fantastic Four are a superhero team first launched in 1961 by Marvel Comics architect Stan Lee and his iconic artist partner Jack Kirby, as an answer to DC’s Justice League (fun fact). Unlike so many other superhero teams, the Fantastic Four were a family unit consisting of brilliant inventor Reed Richards, his girlfriend Sue Storm, her hot-head brother Johnny, and Reed’s college roommate and best friend, Ben Grimm. In years since, various other Marvel characters including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Hulk, Ant-Man II – among others – have all been rotated in and out of the F4 roster.
In the original origin story, a trip into space and an encounter with cosmic rays gave Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny superhuman abilities. In later tellings like the Ultimate Fantastic Four of the 2000s (which Trank’s film is drawing on), the four (and nemesis Doctor Doom) gain their powers in a much different way.
[h=3]The Ultimate Version[/h]
Judging from the Fantastic Four teaser trailer, the film will emulate the Ultimate Fantastic Four origin story: Reed Richards (Miles Teller) is a brilliant young prodigy working on inter-dimensional transportation; Sue Storm (Kate Mara) is a talented scientist who bonds with Reed, and is the daughter of legendary scientist Dr. Franklin Storm (Reg E. Cathey); Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) is Reed’s BFF, a jock who grew up protecting the brianiac from bullies; Johnny Storm is still a hot-headed wannabe rockstar; and Doom is an aristocratic and arrogant European colleague of Reed’s.
When Reed’s exploration of portals to the “N-Zone” dimension goes wrong, he, Sue, Johnny, Ben and Doom are left irrevocably altered, facing an existence with powers that are arguably just as debilitating and dangerous as they are empowering.
Ultimate Reed Richards vs. Classic Reed Richards
The Ultimate Fantastic Four comic started out much more grounded in modern sci-fi – going so far as to abandon a lot of the original’s kitschy comic book-y elements (like the use of superhero code names) until later in the series’ run. It also did a major overhaul on the character of Dr. Doom, which this film may also emulate, providing a new identity and origin story for the villain.
That’s all to say: Trank’s film seems to be following the Ultimate Fantastic Four‘s lead, but it should not be assumed that the filmmakers are just making up their own version; this is definitely the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic book being brought to life onscreen (albeit with a few tweaks).
[h=2]How Is the Reboot Different?[/h]
Fantastic Four has tried to become a big-screen hit several times. Aside from four different animated series since the ’60s, the property had a mid-90s film that never saw the light of day (with good reason), and moderate success as a 2000s movie franchise that saw two installments hit theaters. So what is it that this latest film is bringing to the table that we haven’t seen before?
Well, oddly enough, even though a modernized reboot of the comic (Ultimate Fantastic Four) was available to them, the filmmakers behind the 2005 Fantastic Four movie chose to draw from the classic origin story and character profiles, resulting in a film with a campier and kitschy tone that arguably fits the 1960 – 70s era of the Marvel comic.
Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four reboot, on the other hand,is trying to ground itself like the Ultimate reboot did for the comic; but even then, the tone seems a lot more serious, presenting a sci-fi character drama that just so happens to feature iconic superheroes.
X-Men & F4?
As the tagline in the trailer states, this reboot definitely feels like it fits in the same world as X-Men: Days of Future Past. No coincidence in that: Fox eventually coming up with a Fantastic Four/X-Men crossover movie is still a possibility if Fantastic Four does well.
However, Ultimate connections aside, there have been some bold new changes to the material for Trank’s film:
[h=3]The Storm Family[/h]
No small amount of controversy has been raised about this film’s depiction of Sue and Johnny Storm. Actress Kate Mara (House of Cards) and Michael B. Jordan (That Awkward Moment) are obviously of different races, which has stirred up debate about how they could possibly be related to one another.
Kate Mara & Michael B. Jordan
Just going by the trailer, the premise seems clear: Dr. Franklin Storm (House of Cards actor Reg. E. Cathey) is a science-whiz; he’s either a widower with a step-daughter from his late wife’s previous marriage (Sue), or at some point just took the girl into his care (discovered her intellect, etc.). Either way, the resulting situation is clear: Dr. Storm’s biological child (Johnny) is a gear-head with dreams of fame, while his adopted (or surrogate) child Sue is more like him, into science and tech.
Human Torch vs. Invisible Girl
Taken that way, a brief scene in the trailer of Sue and Johnny battling it out with their powers makes sense; they are warring for their father’s love. It’s a dynamic vastly different from the comics, but also rich with great potential for conflict, resolution, true character arcs and bonds – not to mention metaphoric weight to their powers (Johnny’s angry bravado, Sue’s shyness and fear of standing out, etc.).
Reed (Miles Teller) and Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) seem pretty in line with their Ultimate F4 counterparts, but the team’s costumes will be something of a departure from the page. Maybe the big changes will be worth it in the end?
[h=3]#Doom[/h]
Probably the biggest hit to the new Fantastic Four‘s credibility came when a report leaked about what is presumably the new origin story for this film’s version of Doctor Doom – who won’t even be called Doctor Doom. Here’s what actor Toby Kebbell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) had to say about his version of the iconic Marvel villain:
Ultimate Doctor Doom (Click For Full Image)
Of course, more level-headed (and honestly, more studied) fans countered with the fact that in Ultimate Fantastic Four continuity, “Victor van Damme” is also a brilliant programmer / scientist who works with Reed Richards on the N-Zone project. In fact, it’s Victor who reprograms Reed’s machine, leading to the accident that gives the Fantastic Four (and Doom) their abilities.
Now, in this same continuity Doctor Doom is also living metal (with toxic gas insides), has hooves for feet, claws for hands, and does sorcery. The classic Doom is basically Evil Iron Man with over-the-top megalomania. Clearly a feature-film blockbuster hoping to present a more grounded interpretation will need to take some liberties with the character.
But if quick glimpses of the trailer are any indication, reboot Doom will be just as formidable as his comic book counterparts, exhibiting what looks to be “Technopathic” abilities (i.e., controlling machinery with his mind). In fact, word is that Doom’s iconic “Doombots” will be drone-like machines the villain wields mentally.
All in all, it remains to be seen what the final product is like, but some leaked set photos of Doom in costume suggest that the look of the character will be in the spirit of the source material.
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OK dooms returning as the villain again
We’ve still seen precious little of the new Fantastic Four, but for those who know next to nothing about what this comic book is, and its long winding path through Hollywood, we’ve put together a quick and concise primer to bring you up to speed. We’ll also go a step further to let you know what Trank’s version will do differently – and just how much of that difference was inspired by the comics.
[h=2]Who Are The Fantastic Four?[/h]
The Fantastic Four are a superhero team first launched in 1961 by Marvel Comics architect Stan Lee and his iconic artist partner Jack Kirby, as an answer to DC’s Justice League (fun fact). Unlike so many other superhero teams, the Fantastic Four were a family unit consisting of brilliant inventor Reed Richards, his girlfriend Sue Storm, her hot-head brother Johnny, and Reed’s college roommate and best friend, Ben Grimm. In years since, various other Marvel characters including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Hulk, Ant-Man II – among others – have all been rotated in and out of the F4 roster.
In the original origin story, a trip into space and an encounter with cosmic rays gave Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny superhuman abilities. In later tellings like the Ultimate Fantastic Four of the 2000s (which Trank’s film is drawing on), the four (and nemesis Doctor Doom) gain their powers in a much different way.
[h=3]The Ultimate Version[/h]
Judging from the Fantastic Four teaser trailer, the film will emulate the Ultimate Fantastic Four origin story: Reed Richards (Miles Teller) is a brilliant young prodigy working on inter-dimensional transportation; Sue Storm (Kate Mara) is a talented scientist who bonds with Reed, and is the daughter of legendary scientist Dr. Franklin Storm (Reg E. Cathey); Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) is Reed’s BFF, a jock who grew up protecting the brianiac from bullies; Johnny Storm is still a hot-headed wannabe rockstar; and Doom is an aristocratic and arrogant European colleague of Reed’s.
When Reed’s exploration of portals to the “N-Zone” dimension goes wrong, he, Sue, Johnny, Ben and Doom are left irrevocably altered, facing an existence with powers that are arguably just as debilitating and dangerous as they are empowering.
The Ultimate Fantastic Four comic started out much more grounded in modern sci-fi – going so far as to abandon a lot of the original’s kitschy comic book-y elements (like the use of superhero code names) until later in the series’ run. It also did a major overhaul on the character of Dr. Doom, which this film may also emulate, providing a new identity and origin story for the villain.
That’s all to say: Trank’s film seems to be following the Ultimate Fantastic Four‘s lead, but it should not be assumed that the filmmakers are just making up their own version; this is definitely the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic book being brought to life onscreen (albeit with a few tweaks).
[h=2]How Is the Reboot Different?[/h]
Well, oddly enough, even though a modernized reboot of the comic (Ultimate Fantastic Four) was available to them, the filmmakers behind the 2005 Fantastic Four movie chose to draw from the classic origin story and character profiles, resulting in a film with a campier and kitschy tone that arguably fits the 1960 – 70s era of the Marvel comic.
Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four reboot, on the other hand,is trying to ground itself like the Ultimate reboot did for the comic; but even then, the tone seems a lot more serious, presenting a sci-fi character drama that just so happens to feature iconic superheroes.
As the tagline in the trailer states, this reboot definitely feels like it fits in the same world as X-Men: Days of Future Past. No coincidence in that: Fox eventually coming up with a Fantastic Four/X-Men crossover movie is still a possibility if Fantastic Four does well.
However, Ultimate connections aside, there have been some bold new changes to the material for Trank’s film:
[h=3]The Storm Family[/h]
No small amount of controversy has been raised about this film’s depiction of Sue and Johnny Storm. Actress Kate Mara (House of Cards) and Michael B. Jordan (That Awkward Moment) are obviously of different races, which has stirred up debate about how they could possibly be related to one another.
Just going by the trailer, the premise seems clear: Dr. Franklin Storm (House of Cards actor Reg. E. Cathey) is a science-whiz; he’s either a widower with a step-daughter from his late wife’s previous marriage (Sue), or at some point just took the girl into his care (discovered her intellect, etc.). Either way, the resulting situation is clear: Dr. Storm’s biological child (Johnny) is a gear-head with dreams of fame, while his adopted (or surrogate) child Sue is more like him, into science and tech.
Taken that way, a brief scene in the trailer of Sue and Johnny battling it out with their powers makes sense; they are warring for their father’s love. It’s a dynamic vastly different from the comics, but also rich with great potential for conflict, resolution, true character arcs and bonds – not to mention metaphoric weight to their powers (Johnny’s angry bravado, Sue’s shyness and fear of standing out, etc.).
Reed (Miles Teller) and Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) seem pretty in line with their Ultimate F4 counterparts, but the team’s costumes will be something of a departure from the page. Maybe the big changes will be worth it in the end?
[h=3]#Doom[/h]
Probably the biggest hit to the new Fantastic Four‘s credibility came when a report leaked about what is presumably the new origin story for this film’s version of Doctor Doom – who won’t even be called Doctor Doom. Here’s what actor Toby Kebbell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) had to say about his version of the iconic Marvel villain:
“He’s Victor Domashev, not Victor von Doom in our story…. The Doom in ours—I’m a programmer. Very anti-social programmer. And on blogging sites I’m ‘Doom.’
This quote of course sent die-hard Marvel fans into a tailspin, with usual accusations of ruining source material and childhoods being ruined, along with the standard calls for Marvel Studios to reclaim the property from Fox. Blogger Doom? #FAIL
Ultimate Doctor Doom (Click For Full Image)Of course, more level-headed (and honestly, more studied) fans countered with the fact that in Ultimate Fantastic Four continuity, “Victor van Damme” is also a brilliant programmer / scientist who works with Reed Richards on the N-Zone project. In fact, it’s Victor who reprograms Reed’s machine, leading to the accident that gives the Fantastic Four (and Doom) their abilities.
Now, in this same continuity Doctor Doom is also living metal (with toxic gas insides), has hooves for feet, claws for hands, and does sorcery. The classic Doom is basically Evil Iron Man with over-the-top megalomania. Clearly a feature-film blockbuster hoping to present a more grounded interpretation will need to take some liberties with the character.
But if quick glimpses of the trailer are any indication, reboot Doom will be just as formidable as his comic book counterparts, exhibiting what looks to be “Technopathic” abilities (i.e., controlling machinery with his mind). In fact, word is that Doom’s iconic “Doombots” will be drone-like machines the villain wields mentally.
All in all, it remains to be seen what the final product is like, but some leaked set photos of Doom in costume suggest that the look of the character will be in the spirit of the source material.
For now that’s all the inside knowledge to actually know about the Fantastic Four reboot. It seems fears of a found-footage format like Chronicle, or the movie being an unwatchable mess, were all unfounded.The reboot has at least piqued curiosity and even some enthusiasm, so it’s up to that next, full trailer to really sell audiences at large on the spectacle and visual composition of the film – not to mention the charisma of that much-debated cast, and a convincing villain in Doom.
Fantastic Fourwill be in theaters on August 7, 2015.
Fantastic Fourwill be in theaters on August 7, 2015.
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OK dooms returning as the villain again
[h=1]‘Fantastic Four’ Images; Director Calls the Film an ‘Amblin-Style’ Movie[/h]
When the trailer for Fox’s forthcoming Fantastic Four dropped earlier this year, it wasn’t met with the same level of enthusiasm as your typical superhero movie trailer. Not to say it was poorly received, but for a film that many remain uncertain of, a trailer that was heavy on dramatic realism and light on the superheroics didn’t win itself many new fans.
Yet, while the antics of the early 2000s Fantastic Four may have made for more exciting trailer material, most agree those films were a little too campy and ridiculous for their own good. Fox’s Fantastic Four reboot is drawing more of its inspiration from Marvel’s Ultimate universe and it features a decidedly more grounded and realistic approach to the super-powered foursome.
However, according to director Josh Trank, a more grounded Fantastic Four was only a starting point for this reboot. Recently, Trank discussed the film’s tone with Empire, likening it to a “dark Amblin movie,” with writer/producer Simon Kinberg adding, “There was an Amblin-style approach to the characterization, and to contextualizing everything in a real world.”
For the unaware, Amblin refers to Steven Spielberg’s production company of the same name and their films typically put an emphasis on grounding the fantastical in the real world (E.T., Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, etc.). Following that lead, Trank and Kinberg’s comments likely indicate that this Fantastic Four will be downplaying the sillier side of superheroes as much as possible.
Trank goes on to say:
In the meantime, check out four new images of the team (also from Empire) below:
Miles Teller as Reed Richards.
Kate Mara as Sue Storm.
Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm.
Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm.
There’s absolutely nothing in these images to suggest we’re looking at stills from one of this year’s upcoming superhero films. Their costumes, if we can even refer to them as such, are as plain as can be – no logo, no insignia, not even a thematic through-line beyond each coming in a shade of tactical team black.
Then again, we’ve heard that the more “superhero-style” uniforms will make an appearance in the film, just nearer to the end.
What do you make of how serious this version of the Fantastic Four looks? Will removing the campier parts of superheroes also remove the fun?
Fantastic Four opens August 7, 2015.
Source: Empire
Yet, while the antics of the early 2000s Fantastic Four may have made for more exciting trailer material, most agree those films were a little too campy and ridiculous for their own good. Fox’s Fantastic Four reboot is drawing more of its inspiration from Marvel’s Ultimate universe and it features a decidedly more grounded and realistic approach to the super-powered foursome.
However, according to director Josh Trank, a more grounded Fantastic Four was only a starting point for this reboot. Recently, Trank discussed the film’s tone with Empire, likening it to a “dark Amblin movie,” with writer/producer Simon Kinberg adding, “There was an Amblin-style approach to the characterization, and to contextualizing everything in a real world.”
For the unaware, Amblin refers to Steven Spielberg’s production company of the same name and their films typically put an emphasis on grounding the fantastical in the real world (E.T., Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, etc.). Following that lead, Trank and Kinberg’s comments likely indicate that this Fantastic Four will be downplaying the sillier side of superheroes as much as possible.
Trank goes on to say:
“There’s the opportunity to make something that is challenging and tragic and dramatic. The opportunity is right there in the material. We’d rather steer it in that direction as opposed to just embracing a tone that comes right off the page.”
Again, these comments only further confirm Trank’s Fantastic Four will be taking liberties with its source material, and there’s no doubt some fans won’t appreciate Trank steering FF into a different direction. But we won’t be able to judge whether or not the Fantastic Four benefits from a darker, more serious tone until the movie actually debuts.
In the meantime, check out four new images of the team (also from Empire) below:
CLICK FOR FULL SIZE
Miles Teller as Reed Richards. Kate Mara as Sue Storm. Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm. Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm.There’s absolutely nothing in these images to suggest we’re looking at stills from one of this year’s upcoming superhero films. Their costumes, if we can even refer to them as such, are as plain as can be – no logo, no insignia, not even a thematic through-line beyond each coming in a shade of tactical team black.
Then again, we’ve heard that the more “superhero-style” uniforms will make an appearance in the film, just nearer to the end.
What do you make of how serious this version of the Fantastic Four looks? Will removing the campier parts of superheroes also remove the fun?
Fantastic Four opens August 7, 2015.
Source: Empire
[h=1]New ‘Fantastic Four’ Images Provide Closer Looks at the Costumes[/h]
The old adage that ‘No news is good news,’ certainly did not hold true for Chronicle director Josh Trank’s upcoming Fantastic Fourreboot. Until about a month ago (at the time of writing this), we had seen virtually nothing official from the film – not one image, trailer, promo poster, piece of concept art or anything that gave fans (already buzzing about big changes the movie is making) insight into what Trank’s vision is all about.
Now that the Fantastic Four trailer is out, hatred of the film has tapered off into general curiosity – if not trepidation – about how this new version of Marvel’s first family will play onscreen. And one area that’s generated the most curiosity is no doubt the new costumes that The Fantastic Four will wear.
Before the trailer ever hit, some leaked descriptions of the new Fantastic Four costumes – as well as some sketch art generated from those descriptions – put the new look in line with what Fantastic Four cast members had said about this more grounded and science-based version of the story:
Sketch Art Based on the Fantastic Four Costume Descritions
Reed Richards (Miles Teller)
Johnny Storm (Michael B. Jordan)
Two big things immediately jump out from these new images:
Sue vs. Johnny in ‘Fantastic Four’
While Reed Richards clearly has springs to help control his elongating limbs, and Johnny has vents to help control his flame powers, it’s still unclear what Sue needs her suit to “contain.” We’ve been told that the Fantastic Four’s powers in this movie will be more elemental based – Reed=Water, Thing=Earth, Johnny=Fire, Sue=Air – but nothing in Sue’s costume photo reveals the “danger” in her powers that needs containing.
Now that the Fantastic Four trailer is out, hatred of the film has tapered off into general curiosity – if not trepidation – about how this new version of Marvel’s first family will play onscreen. And one area that’s generated the most curiosity is no doubt the new costumes that The Fantastic Four will wear.
Before the trailer ever hit, some leaked descriptions of the new Fantastic Four costumes – as well as some sketch art generated from those descriptions – put the new look in line with what Fantastic Four cast members had said about this more grounded and science-based version of the story:
Michael B. Jordan: It’s a new look. We are all in containment suits. It’s gritty. It’s a gritty film.
The costume process definitely took some time to get in and out of that thing, especially since I was bulking up. It was a little more snug during filming. We got through it man. It was a process, but we did it. It was hard work. I’m really excited about it, everyone is really happy. We worked hard for three months, put a lot of time into it. The script is very grounded and relatable to everybody, as much as you can. You really get a chance to grow with these characters. It’s an origin story. You get to discover these abilities – these disabilities rather – and grow with them.
Now compare that description – and the artwork based on it – with these new closer looks at the new Fantastic Four costumes, courtesy of Total Film (via Games Radar):The costume process definitely took some time to get in and out of that thing, especially since I was bulking up. It was a little more snug during filming. We got through it man. It was a process, but we did it. It was hard work. I’m really excited about it, everyone is really happy. We worked hard for three months, put a lot of time into it. The script is very grounded and relatable to everybody, as much as you can. You really get a chance to grow with these characters. It’s an origin story. You get to discover these abilities – these disabilities rather – and grow with them.
Two big things immediately jump out from these new images:
- We still aren’t being given a look at the new all-CGI version of The thing, who will be played by Snowpiercer actor Jamie Bell. Director Josh Trank and producer Simon Kinberg (Star Wars Rebels, X-Men: Apocalypse) have openly stated in the past that they won’t show aspects of the film until they’re in top-notch condition – so maybe The Thing just isn’t fully ready for public scrutiny yet?
- These are indeed more like “containment suits” – designed for function – rather than traditional superhero costumes. We already know that the Fantastic Four reboot is following closer along to the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic book of the 2000s; in that series, the code names, costumes and entire superhero identity of the team was played down in favor of the sci-fi family drama. The same seems to be true of this movie.
While Reed Richards clearly has springs to help control his elongating limbs, and Johnny has vents to help control his flame powers, it’s still unclear what Sue needs her suit to “contain.” We’ve been told that the Fantastic Four’s powers in this movie will be more elemental based – Reed=Water, Thing=Earth, Johnny=Fire, Sue=Air – but nothing in Sue’s costume photo reveals the “danger” in her powers that needs containing.
Source: Total Film (via Games Radar)
‘Fantastic Four’ Director on the Reboot; Sequel Moves Away from ‘Star Wars 8′
20th Century Fox’s bid to rejuvenate one of its Marvel properties payed off last year, when X-Men: Days of Future Past became a critical/commercial hit – paving the way for three new X-Men films (Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Gambit) to be green-lit for a 2016 release. This year, the studio is aiming to repeat that trick with its Fantastic Four movie reboot: a project that already has a sequel scheduled for 2017.
Fantastic Four (2015) was scripted by Days of Future Past screenwriter Simon Kinberg and directed by Josh Trank. Based on what we’ve heard and seen thus far, the movie is going to fall into the Christopher Nolan camp of superhero filmmaking (see the Nolan movie-esque teaser trailer), combined with a storyline that offers modern coming of age drama via a super-powers fantasy parable – recalling Trank’s debut feature, the found-footage Chronicle.
Trank has previously spoken a bit about this “grounded” approach to the Fantastic Four property – an approach that stems right from the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic book continuity of the 2000s – and how this has informed everything from the film’s general tone to the title characters’ costumes favoring practical function over stylishness with their design. The director offered more insight on the matter, when interviewed by Empire (via The Playlist):
Fox is certainly hoping that this new take on Fantastic Four resonates with moviegoers, what with a sequel already planned. Disney/Lucasfilm’s announcement yesterday that Star Wars: Episode VIII will be arriving May 26th, 2017 has prompted Fox to scoot Fantastic Four 2 back a week (to June 9th) that year – giving it extra breathing room, away from said Star Wars film. For the time being, the Fantastic Four sequel is the only tentpole scheduled for arrival on its new date.
The short of it: between the casting of younger leads – Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell – and Fox planning ahead for the future (see: the mystery Marvel film scheduled for 2018), the pieces are in place for this rebooted comic book film series to live beyond a single installment. Whether or not those plans will come to fruition – that remains to be determined.
Fantastic Four opens in U.S. theaters on August 7th, 2015, with Fantastic Four 2 to follow on June 9th, 2017.
Source: Empire [via The Playlist], 20th Century Fox
Fantastic Four (2015) was scripted by Days of Future Past screenwriter Simon Kinberg and directed by Josh Trank. Based on what we’ve heard and seen thus far, the movie is going to fall into the Christopher Nolan camp of superhero filmmaking (see the Nolan movie-esque teaser trailer), combined with a storyline that offers modern coming of age drama via a super-powers fantasy parable – recalling Trank’s debut feature, the found-footage Chronicle.
Trank has previously spoken a bit about this “grounded” approach to the Fantastic Four property – an approach that stems right from the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic book continuity of the 2000s – and how this has informed everything from the film’s general tone to the title characters’ costumes favoring practical function over stylishness with their design. The director offered more insight on the matter, when interviewed by Empire (via The Playlist):
“The original two ['Fantastic Four' films from the 2000s] to me are very similar to a lot of recent movies that have come out, in terms of that kind of cartoonish [tone]. It’s just not something that me and [producer] Simon [Kinberg] are interested in as storytellers. There’s the opportunity to make something that is challenging and tragic and dramatic. The opportunity is right there in the material. We’d rather steer it in that direction as opposed to just embracing a tone that comes right off the page.”
It was during that same interview with Empire that Trank compared the Fantastic Four reboot to a Steven Spielberg Amblin feature from the 1980s/90s, regarding how the film blends the fantastical (sci-fi setting, super-poweres) with realism in terms of character drama. His comments about recent movies having a “cartoonish” tone was presumably a reference to the various comic book adaptations released by Marvel Studios – whereas Fantastic Four, as suggested before, seems closer in atmosphere to the recent slate of DC comics-based features.
Fox is certainly hoping that this new take on Fantastic Four resonates with moviegoers, what with a sequel already planned. Disney/Lucasfilm’s announcement yesterday that Star Wars: Episode VIII will be arriving May 26th, 2017 has prompted Fox to scoot Fantastic Four 2 back a week (to June 9th) that year – giving it extra breathing room, away from said Star Wars film. For the time being, the Fantastic Four sequel is the only tentpole scheduled for arrival on its new date.
The short of it: between the casting of younger leads – Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell – and Fox planning ahead for the future (see: the mystery Marvel film scheduled for 2018), the pieces are in place for this rebooted comic book film series to live beyond a single installment. Whether or not those plans will come to fruition – that remains to be determined.
Fantastic Four opens in U.S. theaters on August 7th, 2015, with Fantastic Four 2 to follow on June 9th, 2017.
Source: Empire [via The Playlist], 20th Century Fox
‘Fantastic Four’: Miles Teller on Reboot’s Tone, Crossing Over with Wolverine
Fox’s reboot of the Fantastic Four film property has faced an uphill climb when it comes to generating excitement among comic readers and moviegoers. Whereas a major event like Avengers: Age of Ultron can hype up the masses just by being announced, the new take on Marvel’s first family has been subject to one controversy after another, with everything from the narrative to casting decisions causing a stir.
However, once the film’s first trailer was finally released, the outlook on the project turned from rage to cautious optimism, as it painted the film as a character-driven sci-fi drama, looking to update the Fantastic Four premise for a new generation by exploring the boundaries of human discovery. While the preview won some skeptics over, others have expressed distaste with the tone of the new film, which is more serious than the “cartoonish” spin other titles in this genre put on the material.
Those fearing that the reboot is going to be nothing but dire and despair have no reason to fret, as Miles Teller (who plays the new Reed Richards) is telling fans that there will be some bits of humor sprinkled throughout. While speaking with MTV News, the actor was asked about the more grounded take on the characters and how that may impact lighthearted aspects.
Read his quote:
Frequently, superhero movies tend to stray away from the comics when transitioning from page to screen (Guardians of the Galaxy), it’s still an element that die hards observe under a microscope when determining the merits of a new film (recall Iron Man 3 and the Mandarin). The new Fantastic Four movie is using the “Ultimate” comic line as a guide, but Teller makes it clear that fans shouldn’t be looking for a direct adaptation when they sit down to watch the final product:
Even though Teller says the team is putting their own stamp on it, many would agree that the stamp is very similar to what Fox is doing with their X-Men film series, most notably last year’s Days of Future Past. The Fantastic Four teaser certainly looks like it could be part of the same film universe, and there are rumblings that a crossover between the two is something the studio is exploring. It isn’t happening right now, but Teller would be more than willing to take part:
Fantastic Four will hit theaters August 7, 2015.
Source: MTV News
However, once the film’s first trailer was finally released, the outlook on the project turned from rage to cautious optimism, as it painted the film as a character-driven sci-fi drama, looking to update the Fantastic Four premise for a new generation by exploring the boundaries of human discovery. While the preview won some skeptics over, others have expressed distaste with the tone of the new film, which is more serious than the “cartoonish” spin other titles in this genre put on the material.
Those fearing that the reboot is going to be nothing but dire and despair have no reason to fret, as Miles Teller (who plays the new Reed Richards) is telling fans that there will be some bits of humor sprinkled throughout. While speaking with MTV News, the actor was asked about the more grounded take on the characters and how that may impact lighthearted aspects.
Read his quote:
“You should have some laughs in there. You want to see some enjoyment and The Thing better say ‘It’s clobbering time.’ “
Previous comic book films that have skewed towards the “serious” side of the spectrum haven’t always been completely void of comic relief. Though Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy wasn’t exactly a yuck-fest, there were lines of dialogue or brief moments that added some levity to the proceedings, fleshing out the characters and the world. With Nolan’s influence clearly being felt on Fantastic Four, it shouldn’t come as any shock Josh Trank will use this technique for his film.
Frequently, superhero movies tend to stray away from the comics when transitioning from page to screen (Guardians of the Galaxy), it’s still an element that die hards observe under a microscope when determining the merits of a new film (recall Iron Man 3 and the Mandarin). The new Fantastic Four movie is using the “Ultimate” comic line as a guide, but Teller makes it clear that fans shouldn’t be looking for a direct adaptation when they sit down to watch the final product:
“We were looking to kind of put our stamp on it. We were looking to pay respect to the history of the characters but to bring them up to date.”
With decades of publication history that made characters like the Human Torch and the Thing fan-favorites, it makes sense that Trank will try to honor what came before. However, now is as great a time as any to introduce a new spin on the superhero team; after years of declining sales, Marvel is discontinuing the Fantastic Four comic line, illustrating that while the source material has its supporters, it doesn’t exactly resonate with the masses the way others do. This is a way to reinvigorate interest in the brand and show why the team is still relevant in modern society.
Even though Teller says the team is putting their own stamp on it, many would agree that the stamp is very similar to what Fox is doing with their X-Men film series, most notably last year’s Days of Future Past. The Fantastic Four teaser certainly looks like it could be part of the same film universe, and there are rumblings that a crossover between the two is something the studio is exploring. It isn’t happening right now, but Teller would be more than willing to take part:
“I would love to kick it with Wolverine. I don’t know what we would talk about, but…”
Obviously, at this early stage in the game, there aren’t going to be any confirmations of a shared “Fox Marvel Cinematic Universe,” but it’s nice for fans to know Teller would sign on. Right now though, the priority is making sure the new take on Fantastic Four can connect with audiences and emerge as a profitable endeavor on its own, so Fox knows that viewers would love to see Mr. Fantastic and Wolverine together as well. It won’t be long before these questions are answered.
Fantastic Four will hit theaters August 7, 2015.
Source: MTV News
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Chandoo:
170 + countries where Steam sells but PSN doesn't will lose access unless they use VPNfaraany3k said: -
Chandoo:
It has a worst rating on Steam than last years MW3 now. Jeese Sony, how can you fuck it up THIS BAD
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faraany3k:
I have heard that it is now unplayable in countries which do not support handful of third world countries not recognized by Sony like Pakistan. Steam is a true global platform.Then they cry that console gaming is dying. -
Necrokiller:
Gaben ki reach hai, PSN ki nahi hai. Gaben ain't stressing over publishers who rush to his store in the first place
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Chandoo:
saeen I don't think the PSN teams are stressing over needing to offer hundreds of thousands of refunds lol
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Necrokiller:
You reap what you sow. This is what happens when you take away choice from consumers. Even with 88% split going to developers, they can't recoup costs. Meanwhile, Helldivers 2 is a massive hit for Sony thanks in big part to Steam.iampasha said: -
iampasha:
Alan wake 2 is yet to recover it's development costs. Due to no physical release and no steam launch.
