Sep 1 2009 More Superhero Movies: Give Fantastic Four Another Go
Hot on he heels of Disney's purchase of Marvel Entertainment, 20th Century Fox has decided to show off that they're still in charge of ruining some franchises. The studio has announced they're relaunching the Fantastic Four series. As an indication of what direction they'd like to take the franchise, they've put the writer of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin in charge of it:
20th Century Fox is the latest studio to start the process of overhauling one of its big Marvel Entertainment franchises, “Fantastic Four,” which has already hatched two films. The studio has hired Akiva Goldsman to oversee the re-boot as producer.New script will be written by Michael Green, the “Heroes” co-executive producer who co-wrote Green Lantern.
We can only pray this reboot will include re-doing that arbitrary snowboarding scene from the first film. God, snowboarding is so sweet.
Mar 10 2009 Let's Try This Fantastic Four Thing Again
I'm going to have to buy another full set of Fantastic Four: The Movie collectible trading cards? That's what IESB is telling me (thanks, Andrew):
IESB's has heard word around town is Fantastic Four over at 20th Century Fox is gearing up for 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.
Less bubble gum? Does that mean not made by Roger Corman nor the director of the Queen Latifa comedy sensation Taxi? That Mr. Fantastic won't be using his powers of extension to reach for toilet paper this time round? Alright, Marvel, you can give it a shot, but I don't see how you're going to reasonably sell an X-treme Snowboarding Johnny Storm action figure without including a completely extraneous Johnny Storm snowboarding scene.
Mar 20 2008 Evans: Whither Fantastic Four 3?
Douchebag apotheosis Chris Evans recently spoke about the future of the Fantastic Four film franchise with his most trusted news source, MTV News. Things don't look so good for Marvel's first family of film. Apparently harsh criticism of the first two entries has sufficiently discouraged the studio and Evans:
“I’m pretty sure we won’t do [another] one,” insisted “Fantastic Four” star Chris Evans, who excelled in two films as the Human Torch. “I’m assuming that one is a closed book.”
Shame. You mean to tell me there wasn't anything but universal praise for the inspired choices made in Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer? Mr. Fantastic using his malleable form to reach toilet paper and dance in a nightclub were pretty great scenes. As was every opportunity found to get Jessica Alba in her underwear. And Johnny Storm extreme snowboarding was so awesome! I know I for one really appreciated Galactus being apapted from his normal comic book form into the less dynamic and more palatable form of a goddamn cloud.
Rest in peace, Fantastic Four film franchise. You will be missed.
‘Fantastic Four 3’ Probably Not Happening, Reveals Chris Evans [MTV Movies Blog]
Jun 5 2007 Fantastic Four 2 Decidedly Low on Tits and Fire
This raised eyebrow is as far as it's gonna go before marriage, honey.
Holy fudge! Fantastic Four 2 has gotten a PG rating! Well yippie kai-yay Mr. Falcon! Let's go celebrate by doing something non sexually suggestive (that will come off as unintentionally homoerotic!)!
Actually, I don't really care. I wasn't going to see it anyway. If you make a crappy movie, I'm not going to give you my money when you make a sequel. As George Dub says, "Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice....Well, I won't get fooled again."
May 31 2007 Another Fantastic Four Trailer
Judging from the latest trailer for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, most of the movie is centered around the quartet trading around superpowers like a high school clique swaps STDs. It seems kind of gimmicky, but my expectations are so low from the first film that I'll let them take a stab at whatever they want at this point. Want to give Thing laser eyes? Sure, why not? Couldn't hurt after that shit sandwich you made me eat a few summers back.
And the "rise" of the Silver Surfer is looking more and more like just flying around, showing off how you can pass through matter. Believe me, Surfer, I've seen better rises.
May 24 2007 New Fantastic Four 2 Spot
This new spot for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is slightly relevant because it shows the galactic herald speaking as voiced by Laurence Fishburne, finally connecting the voice and figure. If only phone sex lines would be so gracious.
The whole voice and delivery seem a bit over-the-top and melodramatic to me. What isn't over-the-top is that a silver man is flying on a surfboard.
May 23 2007 Silver Surfer Ruins Currency
Equivalent historical figures.
As a new publicity stunt for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Fox has teamed up with the foremost maker of collectible crap, the Franklin Mint, to issue 40,000 specially designed Silver Surfer coins across America. And if you're lucky enough to receive one of the cheap-looking things, you can redeem it for a variety of fantastic prizes, such as Burger King Crown Cards!
The site seems to imply the quarters will actually be in circulation, which I had assumed must be illegal after they're defaced with corporate sponsorship, but it turns out just hadn't been thought of yet. Even if Fox did somehow get these legalized for spending, I can't imagine anyone anyone accepting them without knowing about the campaign. In my mind, a superhero printed on one side of a coin would be one of the top warning signs of a fake coin.
May 1 2007 Fantastic Four Trailer
Silver like your grandmama's bush.
Apple's got the new full-length Fantastic Four trailer. Finally, someone made a comic book movie. I don't know what Hollywood has against comic books, I really don't.
Med-Res QuickTime
Low Res QuickTime
The movie was directed by Tim Story, who directed the first one as well as Taxi, so I'm sure this will be, like, really good and stuff.
[/sarcasm]
Apr 26 2007 Fantastic Four Face Wilderness Threat
If one from a series of leaked production shots is any indication, the Fantastic Four's newest foe may come in the form of a large bear. Despite the supergroup's awesome abilities, which in this latest chapter pit them against a massive, omnipotent devourer of worlds and his intergalactic metallic herald, viewers may finally get the chance to see how The Thing's incredible strength and rock-hard body will pulverize one of nature's most dangerous creatures, really putting the species back in its place.
Other leaked shots include Dr. Doom's updated look and many of the team in action and casual situations. But seriously, think about him tearing up that f***ing bear.
UPDATE: Apparently not leaked, just released. The excitement has left the relationship.
Apr 25 2007 Fantastic Four 2 International Posters
Marvel has chosen a daring new campaign direction with their international Fantastic Four 2 posters by showing awkward portraits of the characters. My main concern with these is that it might urge some people to think, "Hey, weren't these the same guys in that really awful Fantastic Four movie a few years ago?" To which someone will surely reply, "Yes! They were!"
And it's not helping that they've airbrushed Jessica Alba into a mutant/wide-eyed Claire Forlani.
Nine (9!) more at Marvel's site.
Apr 19 2007 Laurence Fishburne Voicing Silver Surfer
Laurence Fishburne, first rumored to be voicing the giant cloud of Galactus in Fantastic Four 2, will reportedly instead be providing the voice to the Silver Surfer. The actor beat out James Earl Jones, Sisko from Deep Space Nine, and Worf, Fishburne's biggest rivals in the black guy with cool deep voice category.
The role as the Surfer will compete directly against Pill-Choice-Guy in The Matrix for the honor of what Fishburne will be sitting at a comic convention autographing pictures of in ten years.
Apr 18 2007 Galactus is Clouds
"A million and more alien eyes look upon him who is Galactus, and for each race the vision differs." For moviegoers, it's going to be a f***ing cloud. According to AICN, Galactus, the devourer of worlds, seen most-commonly as a giant white guy in goofy pink armor, will be portrayed in the new Fantastic Four as a large storm cloud.
I, for one, won't notice the difference, because I'm one of a small group of citizens afflicted with synaesthesia, coupling many of my senses. When I look at the number 5, I see the color red. 20 is a a bowl of steaming porridge, and Galactus has always been a large storm cloud. And when I look at you? I see an asshole, just like everyone else does.
Mar 2 2007 Galactus Confirmed for Fantastic Four 2
A large headpiece is frequently compensation for other inadequacies.
There has been a lot of Internet rumor and speculation about whether Galactus, devourer of worlds and the occasional Cheesy Gordita Crunch (when available), will appear in The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Director Tim Story has confirmed on his MySpace that he indeed will.
There continues to be much speculation about Galactus. Major speculation. We haven't finished the design of him/it so be careful about what you read and believe. Trust me...no one knows. One things for sure, you can expect to see him/it. It will be pretty powerful. I'm having a lot of fun with the concept and believe me - MOST will be satisfied.
Plan your day accordingly.
Feb 28 2007 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer TV Spot
If seeing Oscar Sunday night left you hungry for more shiny, muscular, nearly naked men, just watch this new spot for Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer, starring just such a specimen, then have yourself a long, cool shower and get back to bed with your wife, never speaking of these events again.
Feb 23 2007 Silver Surfer on Empire
Empire Magazine has posted their latest cover that bears the image of the chrome man known as Silver Surfer from the new Fantastic Four movie. You can't see it in the shadows, but he's wearing the same polka dot bikini he wore when he was the first silver man to grace the cover of a magazine some ten years ago, though he was about forty pounds lighter then and didn't have an asinine talk show.
Jan 22 2007 Silver Surfer Appears Virile
One of the more amazing things about video technology today is that, even in a home setting, we're able to examine video frame by frame to find any secrets it may hold. With the Internet, it's now even possible to share these findings with a larger audience than even the biggest news outlets or chattiest Cathies. Having most recently inspected the Saddam Hussein hanging, discovering possible foul play, Internet video analysts (nerds) have now turned their attention to the next most pressing footage available: The Fantastic Four 2 trailer. Their findings? The Silver Surfer has really big testicles.
Dec 26 2006 Crappy Fantastic 4 Teaser (Now Less Crappy!)
Enjoy a low-quality version of the new trailer for the new Fantastic Four movie, Rise of the Silver Surfer, without enduring a low-quality version of comedy, Night at the Museum. Thanks, YouTube!
UPDATE: There's now a high quality version at Apple. Keep in mind while watching it, if he weren't silver, he'd just be a bald, naked, surfing man.
Dec 22 2006 First Peek at Silver Surfer
From USA Today comes the first look at the Silver Surfer in the new Fantastic Four. His smooth head and concerned eyes make him reminiscent of a young, silver Montel Williams, but only the real Montel is naive enough to believe in psychic Sylvia Browne so strongly as to bring her in every Wednesday (and sometimes Fridays, during the summer).
For those unfamiliar with the comic, Silver Surfer is an intergalactic herald to the powerful Galactus, devourer of worlds. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he was based on the misjudged timeless popularity of surfing in the '60s, similar to the later creations of Golden Rollerbladeer and Captain Segwayer.
Nov 30 2006 The Fantastic Four Fantasticar
USA Today has the first shot of the Fantasticar (fantastic + car) from the upcoming Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Combining the attractiveness of gold plastic with the elegant shape of a ladies' razor, designed by genius leader Reed Richards specifically for the team, it appears to seat three.
Oct 13 2006 Silver Surfer Represented as Man in Green Bodysuit
Some new pictures have turned up that supposedly show Doug Jones having his motions captured for animation as Silver Surfer in the new Fantastic Four movie. Either that or I've accidentally posted my fetish pictures again. If you've seen a foil-wrapped baked potato at Wendy's, you probably have a better idea of how Silver Surfer will look than these provide.
One more under the cut.
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