REVIEW COLLECTION: The Complicated Big-Screen History of the “Fantastic Four”

(Courtesy https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Fantastic_Four) 

Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s The Fantastic Four (2015 Documentary) 

One of my fondest memories of watching Saturday morning cartoons on TV growing up was the “Marvel Action Hour” on Fox Kids. I remember the rich narration of veteran voice actor Jim Cummings, introducing a team of scientists that has a collision with cosmic rays during a space mission, and each getting superpowers as a result. ("Mr. Marvel himself" Stan Lee would then appear, introducing that day's exciting episode.) Reed Richards a.k.a. "Mr. Fantastic" gains the ability to stretch. Sue Storm a.k.a. "The Invisible Woman" can disappear and create force fields. Johnny Storm a.k.a. "The Human Torch" can turn himself into fire. And Ben Grimm is a giant monster known as "The Thing." (Imagine if the Incredible Hulk was made of rocks.) Then there’s Victor Von Doom, the ally-turned-rival who becomes megalomaniacal and bent on world domination. Hence, his nickname, Dr. Doom. So began the exciting adventures of Marvel's "first family," known as "The Fantastic Four." 

Marty Langford's 2015 documentary, Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four, chronicles and reflects on the making of the early-90s, unreleased film adaptation of Lee & Jack Kirby’s comic book series. Reportedly, it was the most expensive production undertaken by low-budget filmmaker Roger Corman’s studio. However, the only thing the general public ever got (besides general/limited publicity in print) was a movie poster and a trailer. I remember seeing the latter on a VHS tape in the early-90s. While it didn’t have quite the same effect as 1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it was just as exciting if cheesier. 

Even though some compared and contrasted The Fantastic Four with Richard Donner's original Superman, many of the cast and crew involved were passionate about this project, and evidently put a lot into it, despite being a rushed production and being unaware of what was really going on behind the scenes. This movie, after all, would’ve proceeded screen adaptations of The Punisher (1989) and Captain America (1990). Steven Spielberg was making Jurassic Park at the time, and other film adaptations of Marvel properties were being greenlit and planned, with directors/stars like James Cameron (Spider-Man), Wes Craven (Doctor Strange, which would’ve been his second comic book film after DC’s Swamp Thing), and Wesley Snipes (Black Panther). For many, however, the best screen version of a Marvel character, up to that point, was The Incredible Hulk (famously played on TV by Lou Ferrigno). Recollections of seeing the Thing’s makeup effects are fascinating and sincere, while Doctor Doom’s costume sort of recalled Frank Langella as Skeletor in Masters of the Universe. 

Probably the biggest service anybody did for Corman's Fantastic Four was an article in Film Threat magazine by writer Chris Gore. Anticipation was building up, thanks to the 1993 San Diego Comic Con convention, as well as a planned screening at the Mall of America in Minneapolis. But post-production—or, as one person described it, “post production limbo”—became a complicated period, due to visual effects work, extra footage, and scoring. “We had to work with what we had," describes editor Glenn Garland, in spite of the irony in using a low-budget for such a big movie. (Corman could vouch for this.) Then, publicity was dropped. Just like that. There wasn't even a wrap party or cast and crew screening. Stan Lee was said to have visited the set, and archival footage exists of him being interviewed in August that same year about this movie, before later disowning it. In the end, it was said to be a “contractual issue," with the film made for the sole purpose of the company/studio wanting to secure and maintain the rights. 

It’s almost tragic that the movie never came to be, or, more accurately, could have been as good as it could have been. Ditto the careers it could’ve given those involved. It could’ve been groundbreaking but the footage that still exists looks incredibly dated today. In short, it was a complicated and polarizing period in film history. And yet, the determination of a few to get the movie out into the public, despite fabricated stories in the media about what happened behind the scenes and why, has helped keep it circulating and given it something of a cult following, thanks to bootlegged/leaked copies seen by a small fanbase. Even though some are still questioning where and if the original negative exists, those few are still holding out for a future release, some how, some way. But thanks to Doomed!, that story of the making of the film has seen the light of day. 

Fantastic Four (2005, dir. Tim Story) 

When the superhero genre was rapidly shaping up in the early 2000s, Marvel was equally growing in its popularity—and occasional acclaim. What’s interesting is that different studios had the rights to certain characters under the banner, including Spider-Man at Sony, Blade at New Line, the Incredible Hulk at Universal, the Punisher at Lions Gate, and the X-Men at Fox. Then there was the Fantastic Four. 

Marty Langford’s 2015 documentary on the unreleased film adaptation from the early-90s discusses that movie’s production company Constantin. It also makes references to director-producer Chris Columbus and future producer Avi Arad; the former was as one point considered to direct a new feature film version, while the latter became CEO of Marvel Enterprises—and bought the rights to the characters and comics—in 1993. It would be another decade before Marvel's "first family" would be given another big-screen attempt. The Fantastic Four that eventually came about in 2005 (courtesy 20th Century Fox, director Tim Story and co-executive producer Kevin Feige, along with Columbus and Arad) represents a standard-issue superhero movie. And one that practically screams 2000s. 

Opening and bookending with a metal statue, scientist Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) and friend Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) make a proposal to business entrepreneur Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) to fund and green light a space mission (“To our future”). Joining them are fellow scientist Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) and her cocky brother Johnny (Chris Evans). We already know the rest of the original story: when they encounter cosmic rays in space, they each develop unique superpowers that match their personalities. Not to mention conflicting views. Victor gets consumed by his, while Johnny boasts about him and his “team” in front of newscasters (unlike Sue, who hates attracting attention), and Reed researches to get them all back to “normal.” 

The standout among this cast is Chiklis, especially in impressive practical makeup as the Thing. His recitation of the character’s signature catchphrase, “It’s clobberin’ time,” is nothing short of awesome. Co-creator Stan Lee (who has a nice cameo as mailman Willy Lumpkin) even went on record that Chiklis’s interpretation as Ben Grimm/The Thing was his favorite performance in a Marvel movie. (Chiklis is a fan of the original comic book, and displays genuine emotion, pain, heartache, and dry humor.) Kerry Washington also has a good supporting role as blind love interest Alicia Masters. The Human Torch’s fire effects are pretty cool, especially in flight and “supernova” form (“Flame on!”), while key action sequences at the Manhattan Bridge and City square are exciting—and enhanced by crowds of extras and moments of heroism. 

Being a product of its era, however, Fantastic Four carries a similar though different vibe as Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes remake, as well as the X-Men films of the time. Part of that has to do with heavy visual effects work and a bit of a rushed plot. Not to mention a rock soundtrack and a dated BMX sequence. While exciting at times, it’s also ridiculous, cheesy, and/or bizarre, like some of the dialogue and Reed’s cartoony elastic abilities. Speaking of which, Richards (while admirable) comes across as a bit too naive and shy, while Von Doom is ho-hum. (I do, on the other hand, want to pay my respects to McMahon, who unexpectedly passed away recently.) Sue even looks pale-faced in one scene. Then there’s some occasional cleavage baring and suggestive references, including Johnny’s shallowness and womanizing, and some questionable moments that undoubtedly ogle Alba. Other than that, this Fantastic Four is overall a fun but passive experience. 

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007, dir. Tim Story) 

The titular quartet are now media celebrities. Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) is still a workaholic. Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) is still maternal. Her brother Johnny (Chris Evans) is still a hot shot. And Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) is still a rock. As Reed and Sue’s highly-anticipated wedding draws near, they are called in by military personnel to figure out the mystery behind an alien being who has been creating unusual anomalies worldwide. When Johnny has an encounter with the figure known as the Silver Surfer, it enables him to switch powers with his teammates whenever they touch him. In addition to escalating personal conflicts, things get more complicated when their old enemy Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon, really hamming it up) resurfaces, and they are reluctantly forced to work together (a la X2) to stop the earth from being obliterated. 

If that description of Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer sounds cheesier, and more passive and ridiculous, than its standard-issue predecessor from 2005, you’re not wrong. Released the same year as the lackluster Spider-Man 3, this 92-minute feature (one of the shortest theatrical entries in Marvel’s history) was given a PG-rating, possibly in an effort to make it more family-friendly. While it doesn't go overboard as, say, Batman & Robin, it does kind of lose its way as a series as a result of its ridiculousness, including some soap opera-ish dialogue. 

Rip-offs of Star Wars (Doom’s early appearances resemble Darth Sidious) and, during a climactic brawl, Captain Planet are one thing. (Comic book fans will recognize references to the malevolent world-destroyer known as Galactus.) Then there are elements of drinking, mild language, suggestive innuendos (including a more questionable moment involving a bright blue-eyed Sue Storm), and colossal though more cartoonish action. The latter may be too much for younger viewers, what with the sights of exploding planets, as well as imminent doom. They should’ve stuck with a more age-appropriate PG-13. 

The one redeeming aspect, on the other hand, is the titular Silver Surfer. A combination of motion capture by Weta Digital, physical performance by Doug Jones, and rich vocal work by Laurence Fishburne, the filmmakers gave this fan-favorite character a standout big-screen debut, making him commanding, conflicting, and vulnerable. The roller-coaster chase sequence between him and Johnny may be the centerpiece of the movie. The Surfer’s dynamic with Sue is also intriguing. Plus, it’s nice to see a bit of Johnny and Sue’s relationship as siblings played up a little more, especially as Johnny doubts himself and what he should do. Ditto some incredible moments of self-sacrifice. 

A third movie was planned, as well as a Silver Surfer spinoff. But that all fell by the wayside when this movie underperformed at the box-office. And also because of two words the following summer: Iron Man. Later, Chris Evans got cast as Steve Rogers/Captain America in the newly-established Marvel Cinematic Universe. As for the Fantastic Four, it would be eight more years before they got another reboot—or rather, re-attempt. 

Fant4stic (2015, dir. Josh Trank) 

I really wanted to like this movie. It had a lot of promise, especially with some engrossing trailers, suggesting a darker spin on Stan Lee & Jack Kirby's comic book series. This was, after all, during a time when Hollywood was producing darker superhero interpretations, from Spider-Man to Superman and Captain America. Director Josh Trank had come off of helming the found footage hit Chronicle, which put a unique and daring spin on the superhero genre. Add to that a charismatic cast (including Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, and Toby Kebbell) playing younger versions of the titular quintet and their ally-turned enemy, and this Fantastic Four (a.k.a. Fant4stic) could've been a distinct entry. (Well, it was. But it’s complicated.) 

The movie starts out okay enough. It begins with the friendship between Reed Richards (Teller) and Ben Grimm (Bell) in school, where both experience a lack of care and understanding from apparently everyone, except for Dr. Franklin Storm (Reg E. Cathey). After witnessing Reed's latest project at a science fair, the scientists gives the young man a full scholarship to the Baxter Institute and to help build a teleporter to another dimension, along with the intellectual Sue Storm (Mara), her rebellious brother Johnny (Jordan), and the questionable Victor Von Doom (Kebbell). This project and mission could save the world, or it could destroy it. And . . . well, we already know where this goes—save for, maybe, the harsh consequences of foolish choices, and the way certain characters want to “fix” what happened to them. 

Before the movie's theatrical release date in August 2015, Trank wrote a since-deleted post on social media, implying that his initial version of Fantastic Four was changed. He had established his story as a body-horror feature in the style of David Cronenberg. History seemed to repeat itself two decades after the first big-screen attempt in the early-90s, along with controversy behind the scenes, regarding Trank's reported behavior. In short, Fant4stic ended up being one of the most disappointing experiences I’ve had at the movies. It may be the most disappointing comic book movie since Ryan Reynolds' take on Green Lantern from four years prior. (Something similar would happen, four years from Fant4stic, with the X-Men sequel, Dark Phoenix.) 

Halfway through, this Fantastic Four turns into a depressing slog that feels like a conflict and cross between studio interference and a general misfire, for one reason or another. The performances are muted and underwritten, lacking real investment. (The lone exception is the late Cathey, as the admirable and respectable Franklin Storm). The tone is bland, rushed, and uneven. Not to mention disturbing and murky, concluding with a black hole and giant sky beam (a cliché of many blockbusters in the 2010s). A few quotes—along with the role of the U.S. government, which the main characters are forced to work for—could be taken as a reflection of what happened behind the scenes.  

I was interested in seeing a rumored director’s cut at the time. But I’m not so sure right now. The ironic thing is that the teaser trailer for Reynolds' screen debut as Deadpool (which played before Fant4stic in theaters) looked better. Years later, Sam Raimi's 2022horror-centered sequel to Doctor Strange and Reynolds' third outing as the Merc With the Mouth in 2024 (co-starring Hugh Jackman's Wolverine) each made references to previous Fox/Marvel properties, including The Fantastic Four. How, I won’t say, except that they were subversive and unbelievable. Not to mention more shocking than depressing. (Another irony.) Here’s hoping the MCU may finally give these characters the big-screen justice they deserve. (So far, what I’ve seen has helped me relive some of those Saturday morning childhood memories.)