Fantastic Four (film series)
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| Fantastic Four series | |
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 Fantastic Four poster |
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| Directed by | Tim Story |
| Produced by | Avi Arad Bernd Eichinger Chris Columbus Ralph Winter |
| Written by | Michael France Mark Frost (Fantastic Four) Don Payne (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) |
| Starring | Ioan Gruffudd Jessica Alba Chris Evans Michael Chiklis Julian McMahon |
| Music by | John Ottman |
| Cinematography | Oliver Wood (Fantastic Four) Larry Blanford (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) |
| Editing by | William Hoy (Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) Peter S. Elliot (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | 2005-2007 |
| Running time | 212 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | US$230 million |
| Gross revenue | $609,223,070 |
The Fantastic Four film series consists of three superhero films based on the fictional Marvel Comics team Fantastic Four. Following an independent-studio film produced in the early 1990s but unreleased, the series continued with Fantastic Four in 2005, and continued with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer in 2007.
The films are based around four main characters, known formally as Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm, and how they adapt to the superpowers they attain. Each vary, as Reed feels responsible for their powers, Susan's dislike for the public attention the powers have given, Johnny's acceptance of the powers and the want to exploit this opportunity, and Ben's hatred of what he's become as he's the most visually affected and how has to deal with the changes. In addition to these four, Dr. Victor von Doom, who is also affected, shows the dark route that the misuse of the powers can do, and how he feels more powerful because of these "gifts".
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[edit] Development
In 1994, an adaption of the characters, titled The Fantastic Four, was created by then licensed distributor, New Horizons. The film never officially surfaced for release, and it was accused of being an ashcan copy, meaning that by having attempted to make the comic book adaptation New Horizons would have been able to keep the license for longer. It has been reported that the actors had no idea of the situation, instead believing they were creating a serious release.[1]
In 1997, Peter Segal was attached to a script which had been written by Chris Columbus and Michael France. Segal left the project but changed his mind that same year. Phillip Morton (Fire Down Below) worked on the script, and Sam Hamm was rewriting it in 1998. The following year Raja Gosnell signed on as director. "I really wanted to do a big action comedy thrill ride like Men in Black", he said, describing it as more comic than X-Men (2000). Producer Avi Arad called the script "the biggest sitcom of all time".[2]
Columbus, who was producing, explained the delays were in getting the budget down. "One estimate was as high as $280 million because every time the four characters walk into a scene, it will cost upwards of $100,000", he said. 20th Century Fox felt that production would depend on whether X-Men would be successful at the box office. X-Men producer Ralph Winter joined the project in April 2000, and the project was announced in August 2000 as being aimed for a July 4, 2001 release date. Gosnell decided to leave the project to film Scooby Doo. Peyton Reed was announced as his replacement in April 2001.[2]
[edit] Film series
[edit] Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four starts as Reed Richards is forced as a last resort to go to Dr. Victor von Doom in order to get financed for an experiment, involving evolution and cloud storms in outer space. Upon making a deal, Reed and Victor go to Doom's space station, accompanied by Ben Grimm, Susan Storm, and her brother Johnny Storm. Each have their history with one another, including Reed and Susan having been in a relationship, as well as Ben making his feelings open about not liking Johnny. When aboard, due to a miscalculation they are unexpectedly hit by the space storm, and eventually learn to be affected in very different ways. The story follows them as they deal with these new 'powers' in their own ways, and how at one point Reed, Ben, Susan and Johnny become heroes by saving many people in a public predicament. Throughout the film, Victor turns very powerful and becomes sinister. This forces the other four to unite in a final showdown.
[edit] Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer introduces the Silver Surfer, whose cosmic energy has been affecting the planet and leaving mysterious craters around the planet. Set against an impending wedding between Reed and Susan, the US Army recruits the Fantastic Four to help stop the Surfer, and separately gain help from Doctor Doom, who returns, to the surprise of the Fantastic Four. Later, Susan learns that the Surfer is in fact the slave of an intergalactic 'world eating' entity known as Galactus, and has no choice but to abide by Galactus' commands. Doom double-crosses the army in an attempt to steal and master the Surfer's powers, only to be defeated by the Fantastic Four, who in turn restore the Surfer in time for him to face down his master and save Earth.
[edit] Cast and characters
[edit] Reception
[edit] Box office performance
| Film | Release date | Box office revenue | Box office ranking | Reference | ||||
| Worldwide | United States | United States | Outside US | Worldwide | All time US | All time worldwide | ||
| Fantastic Four | July 8, 2005 | July 8, 2005 | $154,696,080 | $175,424,795 | $330,120,875 | #151 | #147 | [3] |
| Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer* | June 15, 2007 | June 15, 2007 | $131,921,738 | $156,118,175 | $288,039,913 | #211 | #191 | [4] |
| Fantastic Four film series | $286,617,818 | $331,542,970 | $618,160,788 | |||||
*Note: Updated November 3, 2007. Please update if necessary.
[edit] Critical reaction
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Yahoo! Movies | |
| Overall | Cream of the Crop | |||
| Fantastic Four | 26% (187 reviews)[5] | 27% (7 reviews)[6] | 40% (35 reviews)[7] | C (13 reviews)[8] |
| Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer | 35% (148 reviews)[9] | 32% (11 reviews)[10] | 45% (33 reviews)[11] | C+ (14 reviews)[12] |
[edit] Future
The main four cast originally signed three-picture deals,[13] and Julian McMahon has also signed for a third film.[14] Michael Chiklis was told his character's relationship with Alicia Masters would have a greater focus in a third film.[15] Jessica Alba has expressed interest in introducing Franklin Richards,[16] while Beau Garrett has expressed interest in returning as Nova.[17] Tim Story said he would like to direct a third and fourth film.[18] Don Payne stated he has not discussed a sequel with the studio, but "I’ve always loved the Inhumans, the Skrulls, the Puppet Master, and Annihilus and the Negative Zone."[19] As Rise of the Silver Surfer grossed less than the first film, 20th Century Fox is unsure of the series' future, and no script is in development.[20] In March 2008, Chris Evans revealed, "I'm pretty sure we won’t do [another] one. I’m assuming that one is a closed book."[21]
[edit] Silver Surfer spin-off
[edit] Early stages
Bernd Eichinger of Constantin Film purchased the film rights of the Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer from Marvel Comics in 1986, while 20th Century Fox quickly signed on as the distributor. Eichinger and Marvel Studios approached George Lucas and Industrial Light & Magic, who found the project to be too technically challenging.[22] Various filmmakers attempted different methods of making the Silver Surfer realistic through visual effects experiments. This included a reverse photographic process by which an actor was painted with black oil, on to which was mapped silvery light. This method was used for the Lightsabers in the Star Wars film series.[22] Sometime in 1992 Quentin Tarantino, fresh from critical success with Reservoir Dogs, came to Constantin with a script but was turned down.[23]
Erik Fleming and a crew of friends from the USC School of Cinematic Arts convinced Stan Lee, Marvel Studios and Eichinger to let them try their hand at a short film as a means to prove that computer-generated imagery was now advanced to do so. However, once filming began, Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released, featuring the chrome-like figure of T-1000.[22] Although this proved that their theories about the possibility of rendering lifelike humanoid figures with quicksilver-like bodies were correct, it arguably made their film redundant as a special effects test reel. One could now point to Terminator 2 to show how Silver Surfer might appear on film. The short film was finished in 1993, and major film studios invited the crew into their offices, simply amazed as to how they completed the film with virtually no budget. When the studios found out they didn't own the rights to the comic book, Fleming and the crew were kicked out.[22] Fleming quoted, "It's suddenly an A-list project, and they have to bring in an A-list writer, an A-list director. That's really just how Hollywood works. We should have signed a deal ahead of time, but we were just too young and naive. Your word is no good in Hollywood. All that matters is a signed piece of paper."[23] Upon viewing the short film Oliver Stone became interested in directing.[23]
[edit] 20th Century Fox
The success of the short film prompted Fox and Eichinger to hire John Turman to write the script, and eventually Richard Jefferies to rewrite Turman's script. Geoffrey Wright became attached to direct Jefferies' script that included the Silver Surfer in the company of a twelve-year-old street prostitute, similar to Jodie Foster's character in Taxi Driver.[22] Rudy Gaines and John Rice were hired to write a completely new script, which showcased the Silver Surfer crash-landing on Earth and being romantically involved with a Brooklyn waitress. He's accidentally transformed into a human being by a secret scientific government project, while pursued by a psychotic United States Army General. Gaines and Rice wrote three drafts, and Fox liked the script but felt it was too expensive to put into production, and Wright eventually dropped out of directing.[22]
The project moved to Fox's children's division of 20th Century Fox Animation, which started the Silver Surfer television series.[22] By July 1999, Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to write a completely new script.[24] In May 2000, Marvel Studios brought Artisan Entertainment to co-finance the film.[25] Vin Diesel expressed interest in portraying the lead role,[26] while Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was approached to star.[27] Baz Luhrmann was interested in directing,[28] while Joshua Jackson was interested in portraying the lead role.[29] By March 2005[30] an unnamed "Zen Buddhist with experience in special effects" was set to direct. However, the unnamed director was committed to another film,[31] and difficulty pursued with the Silver Surfer character being too technically challenging to adapt on screen.[32] In the meantime, Marvel and Fox opted for the character to be used in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Doug Jones with voice acting by Laurence Fishburne. Don Payne, co-writer of Rise of the Silver Surfer, expressed interest in writing a new screenplay for Silver Surfer.[33]
Silver Surfer was then put a higher priority than Fantastic Four 3.[34] By June 2007, J. Michael Straczynski was working on a new screenplay,[35] focusing on an origin story. Galactus will be featured, Straczynski noted that Rise of the Silver Surfer held off on showing Galactus to be revealed this film.[36] Jones is signed on for two more films, and hopes that Fox will option him to reprise the role,[37] and would like the opportunity to supply his own voice for the character.[38] A large amount of filming will take place in Australia.[39]
[edit] References
- ^ Fantastic Four (1994). UGO. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ a b Fantastic Four (archives). Comics2Film. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
- ^ Fantastic Four (2005). Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
- ^ Fantastic Four. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Fantastic Four (Cream of the Crop). Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Fantastic Four. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Fantastic Four - Critics Reviews. Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (Cream of the Crop). Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - Critics Reviews. Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
- ^ Josh Grossberg. "A "Fantastic Four" Follow-Up", E! Online, 2005-12-05.
- ^ Paul Fischer. "Exclusive Interview: Julian McMahon for "Premonition"", Dark Horizons, 2007-03-15. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
- ^ "MeeVee Exclusive! Interview with The Shield's Michael Chiklis", MeeVee, 2007-04-03. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ Shawn Adler. "Jessica Alba Ready To Be A Super-Mommy In ‘Fantastic Four 3’", MTV, 2007-09-10. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
- ^ Matthew Price. "Word Balloons: Actress in ‘Silver Surfer' hopes for super role if there's a sequel", The Oklahoman, 2007-10-05. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
- ^ Wilson Morales. "FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER: An Interview with Director Tim Story", Blackfilm, 2007-06-04. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ "Our Exclusive Interview with Don Payne, Pt 2", F4 Movies, June 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ Steven Galloway. "Studios are hunting the next big property", The Hollywood Reporter, 2007-07-10. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
- ^ Shawn Adler. "‘Fantastic Four 3’ Probably Not Happening, Reveals Chris Evans", MTV, 2008-03-20. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g David Hughes (2002-04-22). "The Silver Screen: Silver Surfer Goes to Tinsel Town", The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Never Made. Chicago Review Press. ISBN 1556524498.
- ^ a b c Beau Yarbrough. "Saga of the Silver Surfer (Film): Making of The Silver Surfer", Comic Book Resources, 2000-05-15. Retrieved on 2008-04-16.
- ^ Michael Fleming. "Marvel takes cue from its superheroes", Variety, 1999-07-13. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ Michael Fleming. "Artisan deal a real Marvel", Variety, 2000-05-16. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ Rob Worley. "Comics2Film Wrap For April 4th, 2003", Comic Book Resources, 2003-04-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.
- ^ Jeff Otto. "The Rock Confirms No More Wrestling", IGN, 2005-02-14. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ "Baz Luhrmann doing Silver Surfer?", Comics2Film, 2003-07-22. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.
- ^ Clint Morris. "From the Creek to Comic Books", Moviehole, 2005-02-25. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.
- ^ Stax. "Director Aboard Silver Surfer?", IGN, 2005-03-21. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ Stax. "Silver Surfer Director Rumors", IGN, 2005-07-08. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ Stax. "Silver Surfer Stuff", IGN, 2005-05-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ Emmanuel Itier. "Interview: Screenwriter Don Payne Wants a Cinematic Future for the Silver Surfer - Part 2", IF Magazine, 2007-06-05. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.
- ^ Jake Coyle. "Hollywood Studios Go Sequel Crazy", The Guardian, 2007-07-20. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ Rob Worley. "Silver Surfer Spinoff? Thor gets a director?", Comics2Film, 2007-06-13. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.
- ^ Ian Brill. "J. Michael Straczynski Spotlight Panel", Newsarama, 2008-02-23. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.
- ^ Stephanie Sanchez. "Exclusive Red Carpet Interview: Doug Jones", IESB, 2007-12-17. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
- ^ Edward Douglas. "Doug Jones: No Word on Silver Surfer", Superhero Hype!, 2007-10-25. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
- ^ Peter Mitchell. "Thor, Wolverine, Silver Surfer in Aussie raid", The Courier-Mail, 2007-07-25. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
[edit] External links
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