Filmonic » Fantastic Four

Chris Evans talks Fantastic Four reboot

Liam — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:10:33 +0000

Two weeks ago we heard that 20th Century Fox are gearing up for a reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise and have hired Michael Green (The Green Lantern, Heroes) to write the script. Usually reboots mean that cast members from the previous films won’t be coming back, however Chris Evans spoke to SHH and said that he might do, depending on the director.

“I think it’s great. I’m sure it’ll be a great movie,” Evans said. “They do that with a lot of movies. Sometimes sooner, sometimes later. ‘Batman,’ ‘Superman,’ ‘Incredible Hulk.’ Sometimes it’s a 10-year gap, sometimes it’s five years, sometimes it’s 20 years. I think there’s room to read just the tone in ‘Fantastic Four’ as it was for ‘Batman. You know, ‘Batman’ took on a very cartoony feel towards the end and even in the beginning. It was a lighter movie, even though it was Tim Burton. It was still a lighter film and the newer Batman’s have just been amazing, so I’m all for good filmmaking. If they can go make a good dark edgy ‘Fantastic Four,’ right on.”
But would he reprise the role? “I guess it would depend,” he added. “I mean I’m never against revisiting, well I guess I should say not yet, I’m never against revisiting genres or character types. If I played a doctor in one movie I wouldn’t be against playing a doctor again if the director was the right director. I think at the end of the day you’ve got to work with the directors. I love movies and good movies come from good directors and like I said since there isn’t this massive surplus of films out there, if a good director offers you a chance to make a good movie, you take it even if you say well I just played a character like that. Who cares? You’re a great director. So if ‘Fantastic Four’ got rebooted and Christopher Nolan was going to direct it and said do you want to play Johnny Storm again, I’d be in those blue f*cking tights.”

In past interviews I’ve read I got the impression that Evans wasn’t that pleased with how the Fantastic Four movies turned out. We’d seen Batman Begins, X-Men, Spider-Man, and he’d ended up in cheesy kids films. If Fox are going to make a total reboot then I don’t think any members of the cast should return, although I do agree with Evans when he says it should be more dark and edgy.

The Fantastic Four are getting a reboot

Liam — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:30:04 +0000

There was talk of 20th Century Fox rebooting the Fantastic Four franchise in March. Now people have actually been hired to make it happen.

From Variety:

Akiva Goldsman has been hired to oversee the reboot as producer. Michael Green, the co-exec producer of TV’s “Heroes” who co-wrote “Green Lantern,” will write the script for the new “Fantastic Four.”
Fox wouldn’t comment on its plans, but the moves are evidence that Marvel franchises do have enduring lifespans.
The 2005 “Fantastic Four” and 2007 sequel “Rise of the Silver Surfer” were directed by Tim Story and starred Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis. Since the deals for the reboot are just getting made, it is unclear if any of them will return.

20th Century Fox have a deal with Marvel which means they have to put the X-Men rights into use otherwise they go back to Marvel after 4 years (hence X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class), and they have a similar deal with the Fantastic Four rights. Fox had the decision of letting the rights go back to Marvel, or making another movie. Fantastic Four 3 wasn’t worth making, so they’ve gone for the reboot option.

I hope they make the movies more dark and serious. Last time round Fox tried to appeal to the kids and we just got two cheesy movies. I think they’ve learned their lesson.

Fantastic Four getting a reboot?

Liam — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:58:21 +0000

Despite the first Fantastic Four film getting a sequel the franchise never set the box office alight the way 20th Century Fox hoped, which meant that a third film received no green light. However, according to IESB Fox may be planning on giving the franchise a reboot.

The two films previously released never really caught on with the fans and the studio is reportedly looking to completely retool, recast and recrew the franchise. This means no Tim Story, no Iaon, no Julian (thank the maker, he never sat well with me as Dr. Doom), no Chris, no Chiklis and no Jessica.
The franchise is looking to be “less bubble gum” this time round following the Iron Man template, which was a complete success in reviews and box office take but a bit darker when it came to its superhero. Iron Man was in no way as dark as The Dark Knight but was funny, action-y as well as a bit on the serious side.

20th Century Fox have a deal with Marvel which means they have to put the X-Men rights into use otherwise they go back to Marvel after 4 years (hence X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class), so I’m guessing they have a similar deal with the Fantastic Four rights. A third film wouldn’t be worth making so a reboot seems like the only option. However, I think it’s a bit too early yet. The public may have welcomed a Hulk reboot but soon they will notice a pattern with all of the failed first attempts getting a makeover.

Superhero Movie Images! Pamela Anderson As Invisible Woman! Regina Hall as Mrs Xavier!

Liam — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:38:58 +0000

‘Wow’ is all I have to say for these. When I first watched the trailer for Superhero Movie, it looked like it was just spoofing the first Spiderman movie, which was kind of rubbish, considering there are tons of comic book/superhero movies to spoof. Now these images show that they are indeed spoofing other movies, which makes me want to see the movie 25% more. Here we have Pamela Anderson As Invisible Woman, spoofing Jessica Alba in Fantastic Four, and Regina Hall as Mrs Xavier, spoofing X-Men and Patrick Stewart!

Jessica Alba Talks Fantastic Four 3

Liam — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:26:31 +0000

I have always seen the Fantastic Four as the children’s version of X-Men. The plots are less heavy, and not many issues are raised. Its just a fun ride with a little bit of cheese. So much infact, that Jessica Alba and Ioan Gruffudd have been nominated for Worst Screen Couple for 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Jessica also has a worst actress nomination. But I suppose the Razzies are a fun ride with a bit of cheese as well.

We have had the first two films, so what about the third? Its only natural for us to get another one. So what’s going on? IESB asked Jessica Alba that very question.

IESB: How long until we get Fantastic Four 3?
Jessica Alba: I have no idea. I know the writers strike and the impending actors strike has kind of put a wrench in everything production wise. That film takes a lot of prep, a good six months of prep and about six months to shoot. With the strike, I think, maybe it’s put on hold.
IESB: In the Fantastic Four comics your character becomes a mother. Would you like to see that in the film?
JA: Little Franklin? Yeah, I think that would be hilarious. He’s so powerful, I think that would be a really interesting dynamic a mother-child dynamic. She’s still a superhero but she’s super-protective and he’s wild, he can do anything and has no sense of what’s appropriate, that would be really fun.

Marvel Projects Update

Liam — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:51:28 +0000

Marvel Entertainment have updated its project list. Everything look great…however, where is the Magneto movie?

Feature Film Projects Being Developed by Marvel – partial list
Iron Man, Marvel – Completed principal photography; May 2, 2008 release
The Incredible Hulk, Marvel – Commenced principal photography; June 13, 2008 release
Ant-Man, Marvel – Writer and director engaged
Captain America, Marvel – Writer engaged
Thor, Marvel – Writer engaged
The Avengers, Marvel – Writer engaged

Licensed Marvel Character Feature Film Line-Up
Punisher 2, Lionsgate – Commenced principal photography, slated for 2008 release
X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Fox – Director engaged, slated for May 1, 2009 release

Marvel Character Animated TV Projects
Fantastic Four, Moonscoop SAS (France) – 26, 30-minute episodes; Running Internationally.
Spider-Man, Sony – In development; US distribution agreement with Kids’ WB for Spring 2008 release.
Wolverine and the X-Men, First Serve Toonz (India) – 26, 30-minute episodes in development; Fall 2008 release.
Iron Man, Method Films (France) – 26, 30-minute episodes in development; Fall 2008 release.
Hulk, TBD – In development.

Marvel Character Animated Direct-to-DVD Projects
Next Avengers, Lionsgate – Targeted July 2008 release
Hulk Smash, Lionsgate – Targeted October 2008 release
Thor, Lionsgate – Targeted April 2009 release
TBD, Lionsgate – Targeted September 2009 release

Marvel Character Live Stage Projects
Spider-Man the Musical, Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Martin McCallum, Marvel Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment
In development/opening date to be determined; Julie Taymor director; music & lyrics by U2’s Bono and The Edge

Marvel Video Game Releases (Release dates controlled by Publishing partner)
Sega, Iron Man – Targeted 2008
Sega, The Incredible Hulk – Targeted 2008