Chris Evans says he doesn’t think there’s going to be another Fantastic Four film:
“After the first one was released we got wind of potential titles and plots [almost immediately], and I’ve heard nothing from anyone at Fox [yet],” he grumbled. “We had all planned on doing [another] one but if there were going to be a third I think a week after the second one was released we would have heard.”
It might be for the best. When we spoke with Evans in June, he acknowledged the failings of the first two movies, but said he still thought the franchise’s “potential has not been reached.”
“I still think this can be something great, and I think we are getting closer,” he said at the time. “”I think that if [”FF2″] does ok and people respond with the appreciation of a more serious tone, hopefully [with] the third one we can inch closer to a legitimate cast and a legitimate film.”
Maybe he can cameo as the Human Torch in another Marvel film instead.
both FF films weren’t perfect by far, but I found them enjoyable. That’d be a shame if they didn’t make more of them…
Comment by snikt snakt — March 21, 2008 @ 9:28 am
The only FF movie that got it right was The Incredibles, IMO.
Comment by Martin — March 21, 2008 @ 9:34 am
I love how one of the stars of those movies think that the way to fix the franchise is to get a more “legitimate cast.”
Comment by Kiel Phegley — March 21, 2008 @ 9:43 am
I thought I heard that they were only planning on two FF films early on. I then heard that they might do a Silver Surfer spin-off following FF2, should he garner enough attention, which I hope comes to fruition because Norrin Radd rocks hard.
And I think the FF movies were fun. Not the best films my any stretch, but still an entertaining use of a few hours.
Comment by Sam — March 21, 2008 @ 9:52 am
I’m not “that” upset about this news and my feeling has nothing to do with the quality of the FF movies, which I thought, by the way were pretty damned good, but simply because I’m just not a “fan” of the Fantastic Four. Personally, I just don’t think they were right for HUGE success on the big screen. At least for me, I don’t like as much humor and light-heartedness in “superhero” movies, as what was depicted in the Fantastic Four movies (even though it really wasn’t THAT much humor). Sure…the X-Men had moments of humor, but nowhere near the amount as what was in FF and FF2, which allowed me to enjoy X1, X2 and yes…X3. As with the 1st Matrix movie (for example) it was very seriousness and for me…(along with the ingenious plot/storyline and phenomenal effects) it’s what set the bar for me, as far as how I think superhero movie moods and themes should be. Anohter example…the 1st CROW. Another excellent, moody, serious “superhero-type” movie. In contrast, the same light-heartedness and almost comical take on Luthor (in Superman Returns) is what killed the movie for me, in addition to the weak plot and less than impressive special effects. Just my opinions, of course.
Comment by Wendell — March 21, 2008 @ 10:03 am
I would be up for a Spider-Man/Human Torch film in a heartbeat…
Comment by Rich — March 21, 2008 @ 10:09 am
They all have an option for a 3rd film in their contract and as soon as the strike ended the main cast was all sent letters saying that option was being extended. I wouldn’t listen to an actor for information on a studio’s plans with a franchise that made this much money, regardless of its quality.
Comment by atalentagent — March 21, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Are you people kidding? The Fantastic Four films ARE A TRAVESTY! They are big screen F*** you’s to Jack Kirby’s legacy. They are the most brain dead movies EVER MADE, and that’s saying something. It seems to me that Avi Arad had something to do with keeping these movies under the horrifically untalented director TIM STORY. Frankly, I’m completely disappointed with all of the management at Marvel Comics/Marvel Entertainment. They should ALL be FIRED immediately. They are running Marvel Comics into the ground.
Comment by WTF — March 21, 2008 @ 10:32 am
No, you want a big F*** you to comic fans look at Elektra…they had a director who knew VERY LITTLE about the character and even had the gull to basically be like “I don’t care what the fans think. It’s my movie.” on the commentary. At least Tim story and a number of the cast were actually FANS of the movie and tried to do something THEY FELT was worthy to it
Comment by Staredcraft — March 21, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Tim Story and the cast except for Alba are fans of the comics, but supposedly Tim Story is a fan of the Ultimate Fantastic Four hence the Ultimate FF costumes instead of the classic ones. Still, I think people need to get off this train of thought that Jack Kirby was some kind of god in writing and art. Sure he was a one of the greatest comic artists of our time, but from what I have read of his scripting and plotting work he was a terrible writer with weak plotting skills and stiff dialogue that felt forced.
Comment by Mimick — March 21, 2008 @ 11:01 am
Wow, yeah, that about sums up how I felt about the first two. They both had a great cast, great acting, a great look, and some great moments, but some shoddy writing. The climaxes just seemed to come out of thin air and weren’t solved by the action/ingenuity of the protagonists. The plots never seemed organic, they felt like things were just *happening*, and that brought the films down. I was hoping it wouldn’t happen again in ROTSS, but it did, with the Silver Surfer acting almost as a deus ex machina. The potential of this series has not been met yet, especially of Doom’s character. He could be a great villain if Story could figure out what to do with him. I’d like to see a third film, because I think it could work, but they film makers need to get that script worked out first.
Comment by Shane — March 21, 2008 @ 11:18 am
better off, the first two were really bad
Comment by shadowchaser — March 21, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Couldn’t care less about another FF movie… I’m with Martin. The best FF movie ever made is The Incredibles.
I’m looking forward to Toy Story 3 for sure, but I’d really like to see Pixar begin work on The Incredibles 2!
Comment by Shaun — March 21, 2008 @ 11:24 am
Hopefully Marvel will be able to scoop up the rights and relaunch the franchise themselves under their Marvel Studios banner.
Of course, if I had my way Fantastic Four would have been the first Marvel Studios movie - instead of Iron Man.
Comment by Smarty — March 21, 2008 @ 11:29 am
I saw this coming for some time. People, Fox loves the Silver Surfer. They alway have, for some strange reason.
The first two FF movies were simply vehicles for a SS movie that sounds crazy, I know. But, it make some since if you look at that Fox develped a SS cartoon which was more expensive to produce then most any other shows they were airing at the time. Then how everything about the second FF movie is the story of “The Rise of the Silver Surfer”. I mean he’s the largest image and the center focus on the DVDs. People don’t on even refer to the second movie by it’s full name anymore; it’s always FF: Rise of The Silver Surfer.
|End Rant|
BTW, I’m a huge Silver Surfer Fan.:)
Comment by Toneloak — March 21, 2008 @ 11:30 am
The world is much better off without another FF film by Tim Story. Better to concentrate on the SILVER SURFER movie and wait a few years to reboot the FF franchise with a better cast and director.
Comment by Brian Davison — March 21, 2008 @ 11:31 am
The first FF film was in production when THE INCREDIBLES was released and when they saw that that film pulled off they added a major sequence to FF. Also until THE INCREDIBLES director Tim Story was working on the premise that Mr. Fantastic had to be braced against something in order to stretch, and then they saw Elastigirl and all of her easy, even poetically graceful moves which showed what Tim Story hadn’t been able to imagine until then.
I also thought it was funny that in KICK ASS #1 they talk about super hero movies and joke about the appearance of Galactus in FF2.
Comment by James Van Hise — March 21, 2008 @ 11:41 am
Now I know there’s a God…:D
Comment by Roy — March 21, 2008 @ 11:42 am
I was very disappointed with the second movie and have been disappointed all along with their treatment of Doctor Doom. I never understood their reasons for changing Doom’s backstory and just making him another Green Goblin, essentially. The jokiness and unintelligible plot of FF2 - along with the deeply unfortunate absence of Galactus - left me very cold. When I see the level of care being taken (apparently) on Iron Man and the new Hulk movie, I think any further FF movies needs a new creative team desperately. I will say I’ve thought the casting of the FF were terrific choices.
Comment by Joel Kelly — March 21, 2008 @ 11:45 am
“In contrast, the same light-heartedness and almost comical take on Luthor (in Superman Returns) is what killed the movie for me”
This has to be the only person in history that somebody complained that ‘Superman Returns’ wasn’t serious enough.
Comment by Sean Richardson — March 21, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
I enjoyed the two Fantastic Four movies. They weren’t great, but they were fun and Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis do a great job as Human Torch and Thing.
I’d like to see a third one…without Dr. Doom, as that character has been woefully mistreated in the movies.
Perhaps they discover the Inhumans in the third movie? A Human Torch/Crystal romance? And the arrival of baby Franklin Richards?
Comment by nightwingoracle — March 21, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
Bummer. It would be nice to see the Skrulls in a third movie after all the Skrull-like morphing in FF2, and then maybe Namor. Guess I’ll just go back to reading the comics then…
Comment by AirDave — March 21, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
new director, replace the miscast jessica alba, go for a more hard scifi tone and it could be great.
my kids loved both movies for what it’s worth.
Comment by thequestion — March 21, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
I think someone realized that they did Galactus for the second movie, and you’re not going to find anything that tops that image of Earth about to be engulfed. Stan Lee once described the original story as “Fantastic Four Vs. God.” What do you do for an encore?
Comment by Kyle — March 21, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
I think Smarty has it right - Marvel’s long term plans is full control and the possibility of crossovers in the movies (I think it makes sense) - they want Fox to loose the movie rights so they can move them to the Marvel Movies banner
Comment by thejames — March 21, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
I enjoyed the first two films for what they were. Maybe it’s best they don’t do a third simply because of how badly X-Men 3 and Spidey 3 were buggered up.
Comment by silvanthalas — March 21, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Chris Evans was perfect as a young Torch, and I hope he gets the chance to play him again.
Comment by Kent Horton — March 21, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
I think both movies were great for what they were and the money they spent to make them. I have said it before this is comic books and when you make a comic book movie its going to be a fun exciting action movie no more no less. If your looking for something else then dont go see them. I hope they do another.
Comment by john — March 21, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
I’d rather see Chris McCulloch (aka Jackson Publick of Venture Brothers fame) reboot the series:
from
http://www.reason.com/news/show/119655.html
The Horrible Truth about Super-Science
“Reason: What’s a more sincere treatment of the Fantastic Four - your sociopathic and screwed-up version, or the 2005 movie version?
JP: Before that movie came out, I thought the best way to do a Fantastic Four movie would be to go full on, Peyton Reed Down With Love with it. Make it take place unapologetically in 1962, us this slick over-designed world as the setting, and make it a comedy. Because those characters are ridiculous. You’re never going to get a guy who stretches to be anything but wicked funny. It’s a little hard for me to feel the supposed gravity of those situations they get into with a guy named Dr. Doom, for Christ’s sake! I go back and forth between thinking whether or not comedy is brave or cowardice in terms of an approach to subject. I guess it depends on what you do with it. Certainly Dr. Strangelove was a form of comedic bravery.”
Comment by Jack Spicer — March 21, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
““In contrast, the same light-heartedness and almost comical take on Luthor (in Superman Returns) is what killed the movie for me”
This has to be the only person in history that somebody complained that ‘Superman Returns’ wasn’t serious enough.”
Superman Returns was way too serious and a bad remake of the original Superman movie. How many times does Lex Luthor have to do real estate and how many times does Superman have to save Lois from something crashing. And how dumb can we be, if she knows Superman was the babies father and not know Clark is Superman. The entire movie was retarded and way overlong. There was one original plot added, his bastard son, yeah that makes sense. I hope that is one “franchise” that doesn’t return
Comment by Bruce — March 21, 2008 @ 11:14 pm
Great news! That way it will lay dormant for a few years, Marvel will get back the rights and do a better movie with a better filmaker and better actors. Chilkins was almost perfect but the rest was so bad that it needs to go back to the drawing board.
Comment by Jeremy — March 22, 2008 @ 5:00 am
Personally, I am a fan of the FF movies, they are not perfect by far but I think they were well-intentioned, offered good super-hero fare for younger viewers, and very entertaining. Did they completely capture the spirit of Stan and Jack? No, but that’s ok, everything that Stan and Jack did wouldn’t necessarily appeal to modern audiences. The X-Men movies certainly didn’t remain loyal to the comic books, either, and they were huge successes. The FF movies just haven’t been able to make everything click yet. The second one was the better of the two, and much closer to capturing the necessary magic. Actually, I liked FF2 more than SPIDER-MAN 3 last year (and I’m not a SPIDEY 3 hater by any means). The Silver Surfer was awesome, and I had no problem with Galactus. Personally, I blame the majority of the problems the FF movies have had on Fox. Based on interviews I’ve read with various people who have worked on the films, I think they’ve all wanted to make the big screen FF closer to the comic books but it’s been the Fox execs who have fought it. Like I said, the movies don’t have to be carbon copies of the comics, but they should have more of the classic vibe than what they’ve had.
Just as a side note, I think it’s completely unfair to compare anything FANTASTIC FOUR to THE INCREDIBLES. I love THE INCREDIBLES, don’t get me wrong. Our three cats are named Dash, Violet and Jack-Jack
Still, THE INCREDIBLES is a completely different animal, an animated film with a brand new concept and characters, with far more freedom to be whatever it needed to be. FANTASTIC FOUR has to draw on nearly fifty years of comic books, cartoons, etc.., and try to blend all of that to appeal to an audience that already has expectations. The majority of people had zero expectations for THE INCREDIBLES (with the exception of a small crowd of fans who were familiar with the work of Brad Bird), and if it had bombed, no one would have even blinked. I’m sorry, I just don’t think it’s fair. You might as go ahead and compare it THE GODFATHER, then.
Comment by Uncle Jawa — March 22, 2008 @ 6:57 am
Eh. A bit of a shame. I know these weren’t masterpieces, but I really enjoyed FF2. Norrin was the saving grace to the franchise, they did that character justice.
As long as they’d continue having Chris Evans elsewhere as the Torch, then I’m happy.
Comment by Sugarculted — March 22, 2008 @ 7:29 am
I dunno Uncle Jawa… A team of four heroes, two of whom are married. One of whom is stretchy, one is super strong, and another turns invisble and can create forcefields? Am I talking FF, or The Incredibles?
Two other little “FF” touches in The Incredibles: when little Jack-Jack “flames on,” and The Underminer (at the end of the movie) reminded me of the Mole Man (or whatever his name is).
I still stand by the assertion that The Incredibles is the best FF movie.
Comment by Shaun — March 22, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
To Sean: I think the reason the other poster compalined that Superman Returns wasn’t serious enough is because Kevin Spacey’s Luthor was a complete knockoff of Gene Hackman’s jokey Luthor… The only difference is that Spacey didn’t wear a stupid Herb Tarlek (remember WKRP?) suit, and at least Spacey had the decency to go bald for the entire movie.
Otherwise, they were pretty much the same. In no way would that Luthor honestly have been a threat to Superman, if the film had been written by people with a brain between them.
The only reason Luthor got as far as he did is because that script really dumbed down Supes, making him more concerned about stalking his ex-girlfriend than keeping tabs on Luthor, as well as stopping to think that the museum theft, the massive power outage (which Supes could’ve easily traced back to Luthor’s acquired home), and Luthor’s being on the loose were at all related.
In that repsect, it was hard to take the film seriously.
Comment by Shaun — March 22, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
“Superman Returns was way too serious and a bad remake of the original Superman movie.”
Bruce,
Superman Returns is the sequel to the first two Superman films. Superman 3.1 if you will set five years after Superman II hence the kid having been born. And unfortunately, they are doing another film. Bryan Singer promises to “get all Empire Strikes Back” on us, lol. We’ll see about that.
Comment by WarriorSmurf — March 22, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
Also, the FF films were horrible all around. They need to wait a few years and start from scratch like half of the Marvel film franchises.
Comment by WarriorSmurf — March 22, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
I personally can’t believe that a sequel to FF even opened in the first place. I was kind of dumbfounded by the fact that people would pay to see a second one after the first one was so mind-numbingly bad.
That line about “a legitimate cast” is pretty funny, though.
Comment by Brett — March 23, 2008 @ 4:44 am
To Shaun, about Sean’s comment, concerning my post:
Thank you for the clarification, because as it states in my post,
“In contrast, the same light-heartedness and almost comical take on Luthor (in Superman Returns) is what killed the movie for me”
…I was referring to LUTHOR’s light-heartedness and almost comical demanor, not that of the entire movie. I thank you for being more observant than the other Sean and taking the time to add your comment.
Comment by Wendell — March 23, 2008 @ 8:09 am
Hey Wendell,
Thanks for the kind words! I don’t want to speak for the “other” Sean, but I think I understand what he meant too. Luthor could not be taken seriously, but the rest of the movie had a pretty somber tone to it. A lot of moping, or navel gazing perhaps, by Supes for instance. The Lois/Supes realationship seemed almost maudlin.
It was just not a terribly fun movie to watch. Neither the serious stuff, which was too serious, nor the jokey approach to Luthor.
Comment by Shaun — March 23, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
Ding-dong, the crappy film franchise is dead! Both those movies were just gawdawful.
Comment by Horray! — March 23, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Shaun, you are missing the point of what I said, and you didn’t need to point out those comparisons, they were pretty obvious
Just go back and re-read what I said.
Comment by Uncle Jawa — March 24, 2008 @ 5:45 am
That’s too bad. I enjoyed the first two. The way the last one ended with Doom sinking in the ocean, I was hoping for Namor and Atlantis attacking the surface world. That would have been cool to see.
Comment by Zac — March 24, 2008 @ 11:10 am
That’s too bad. Hated the first liked the second a lot
Comment by rob — March 24, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
I didn’t expect to like the first FF at all but liked most of it except they completely and horribly got Doom as wrong as they possibly could. Reed could have shined a little more too. ROTSS was ok but not as good. Laurence Fishburne was a terrible choice for Norrin IMHO.
Hopefully it gets a rest and Marvel does it better under their own banner in another 5 or 10 years. Atlantis or the Inhumans as mentioned previously, would be awesome to see. A Black Panther cameo would rock too
Comment by hondo — March 24, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
Well I enjoyed both movies but felt part 2 ended in a rushed and half-assed manner since all the time was spent building up Galactus’s arrival yet all we saw in the end was a big, black cloud. Talk about stupid. At least Silver Surfer was cool. It was almost as much of a let down as the fight between Hulk and Aborbing man. It just felt rushed and half-assed as an ending. I wanted to see the real Galactus from the comics despite what stupid executives would say about how silly it would look.
Hate to break it to you but bringing us a family team of superheros who wear blue spandex with a big four on their chests IS a bit silly. Executives and people in charge of making financial and creative decisions for these comic movies need to realize the first people that need to be serviced are the fans. This is why movies like Hellboy and Watchmen and Sin City will succeed. They take us seriously. We are the ones non-comic fans will ask before they go see the movie despite what inane people may think. Yeah, I’m aiming my comments at those who think fans are not important. We made you, we can easily unmake you by voting with our money.
Comment by FIG — March 24, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
That legitmate cast remark seemed to be calling out Alba she was a big reason why the movies weren’t as good.
Torch, Thing and Reed were all cast perfectly. Alba? Not so much
Comment by John — March 30, 2008 @ 10:15 pm