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Rumor: The End of Fantastic Four?

by Kevin Powers
March 21, 2008
Source: MTV

While most people thought the original Fantastic Four sucked the big one, 20th Century Fox still managed to pull off a sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Whether it was the Surfer's character or something else, the sequel seemed a decent step up, though it pulled in a smaller $288 million worldwide compared to the original's $330 million. I'm not certain what the actual profit margin is here considering these figures, but I would hope that both installments turned a profit. Another sequel seems pretty much a given, right? Not if you believe the Human Torch aka Chris Evans and other cast members.

Evans told MTV today, "I'm pretty sure we won't do [another] one...I'm assuming that one is a closed book." Evans continued, "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]...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."

Interestingly, Moviehole posted news from an insider in mid-2007 indicating that Fox had already greenlit a third installment. That news made the rounds of various sites, though it seems there wasn't much to the claim than what the "insider" had to offer; there's been no hard news since. In that same article, Moviehole mentioned the greenlit sequel to Transformers as well. Transformers 2 is already on the radar. So where's Fantastic Four 3?

It seems no one really knows. Evans' comments are born out of a lack of information, which seems to be shared among other cast members. Jessica Alba, who played the Invisible Woman, told press earlier this year that she didn't know what was going on. "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."

Michael Chiklis, who played The Thing, followed Alba's sentiment in a quote from February. "I'm not gonna call the guys like, 'Hey, what are we doing?' I'm kinda moving on and doing other stuff, which is great."

So is the franchise dying a slow, passive death? Sounds like Fox needs to step in and clear the air. And from the looks of it, it doesn't seem like the cast is interested in proactively seeking out a third go-around. Given the Fantastic Four universe of characters, it's hard to believe Fox can't drum up another film. At least we can look forward to the Silver Surfer spin-off and Galactus.

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Curtis

i didn't mind both of them they were fun to watch one time around, wouldn't mind to see a third but wouldn't care if they didn't. thanks for the news Kevin
Heckle

I personally didnt think the movies were that great. Should have been more serious. The characters were fine but the movies failed.
Joey-O

Maybe they could do one where they battle Terrax, the Terrible. They could sell it as a tie-in to the War on Terror. Oh wait, one's reality and the other's fantasty... Still, FF3 (maybe leave Reed out for the count, galaxy hopping somewhere): The WAR ON TERRAX. They could demonstrate his power by having him beat both Doom & Galactus, in the first half of the movie. Then, Surfer comes in to soothe the lonely Sue Storm, only to be called in to take care of Terrax, while he's at it. I can see it now. Surfer's classic line: "Damn. Can't a galactic herald mack it to some married chick w/out some goddamned balding bearded nutjob trying to cock-block the whole thing??"
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

Ken, the most likely reason that they aren't going for a fourth is because it performed BELOW expectations. The first one made a surprisingly decent $154 with some DVD sales and they made a sequel hoping to branch off into a Surfer franchise, but judging by the numbers it probably seemed to iffy to go through with. The budget for the sequel cost a reported $30M (the first one cost $100M) but more likely rumored $50M and it made almost $25M less, not exactly what a studio hopes for when putting more into a franchise, not including marketing costs. I liked the sequel better than the first, though it still isn't much of a compliment and I think it stands nicely as the two alone.
PimpSlapStick

Both movies were underwhelming to say the least, Michael Chiklis and the Silver Surfer was the only redeeming qualities about that whole franchise. Hollywood (FOX) truly mangled a awesome comic, honestly the Incredibles (Pixar) did the Fantastic Four better than the damn FF Movie.
avoidz

Not a disappointment for me. The first FF movie was kiddie krap, and the sequel was just plain embarrassing.
Brad

There is still a little justice in the world, thank god.
Keith

I would love if this franchise died here and now. the movies are not good, mildly entertaining at best. and every time one comes out it sucks that $10.50 right out of my pocket because something inside me is forced to see Jessica Alba in tight latex.
david

i think if the do do a 3rd one they should do it ala' spidey3 and throw in as many characters as possible to amp up toy sales.....i could care less if they make a 3rd ff or not both movies were sub-par at best
http://www.firstshowing.net/author/ken-evans/ Ken Evans

Honestly the two films were semi-enjoyable at best. Weak stories, poor performances and cool comic book characters that were made cheesy. I must say however that I REALLY liked the Silver Surfer in the last movie. Generally I'm very wary of spin-offs, but a Silver Surfer spin-off might actually be ok.
Spider

With "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer", grossing $288.5 million worldwide; $131 million domestic and $156 million overseas--it would be considered a "modest" hit, at best. Both "Fantastic Four" flicks, although enjoyable, were tailor made for the younger audiences of mainstream America. We would think that a 3rd installment was logical. But I'm sure the suits are leery of another kiddie comic book flick just posting so-so numbers. I believe the 3rd installment could only be pulled off if a different director was brought in and darker approach was used in addition to a sharp script written by the comic book writers themselves to really harness the spirit and bravado of the "Fantastic Four".
http://markkroberger@cox.net Markus K.

I just like to say, in my opinion, that Hollywood SUCKS when it comes to creating Comic Book movies. Don't get me wrong, SPIDER-MAN 1 & 2 was very good, IRON-MAN was the BEST above ALL Comic movies, but I still walked away still missing something. I don't understand the logic behind changing the story to make the movie. The X-MEN movie character lineup was based on popularity of the character, than who was in the original group (Iceman, Beast, Angel, Cyclops & Marvel Girl...of which I think Peter Jackson could have pulled off THAT team lineup in a movie). FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER was a very decent movie but with flaws. The one MAJOR flaw- making GALACTUS a cosmic cloud. People were expecting a giant 100 ft. man appear, instead they got, I GOT, disappointment in a TERRIBLE ending. To me, THIS is how the movie should have gone.... The WATCHER warns the FF of the coming danger, SILVER SURFER appears, FF fight the SILVER SURFER, DR. DOOM steals the SURFER'S power, the FF fight DOOM with the help of the SURFER. And when you think all is well in the world, the storm clouds part, and a huge sphere comes down over New York City, as the circle-shape door opens. There, the giant silhouette of GALACTUS is seen with only the eyes to be visible, as the very last frame shot is a closeup of a silhouette head of GALACTUS, and he simply says. "The END is here." THAT would've been a PERFECT ending that would lead into FANTASTIC FOUR: THE COMING OF GALACTUS. Storyline- GALACTUS orders the SILVER SURFER to prepare the earth for the end, FF fight the SS again, SS meets Alica Masters, remembers his own lost humanity, fights with the FF against the PUNISHER (robot herald), another herald, and then GALACTUS. With the help of the WATCHER, Johnny Storm is sent to GALACTUS' world-ship, finds the ULTIMATE NULIFIER and they are able to defeat GALACTUS. But not before punishing the SS and banishing him on earth. Setting up the storyline for a SILVER SURFER MOVIE. Just a thought, though. So I hope Hollywood realizes that a comic book movie is only as good as the STORY that is being used. NOT actors, NOT the characters but the ORIGINAL story. People KNOW about the comic book story well enough, and even if they don't, they will still enjoy it.