The Fantastic 4 are the soap opera of superhero movies. And I mean that in a few ways. First, their stories mostly revolve around problems in a dramatic family. Secondly, these movies have been carrying more baggage than an airport on Christmas weekend.
First film: good enough to keep your eight-year-old excited with the baby sitter. Rise of the Silver Surfer: should be locked up and never to interact with human beings like the rest of the psychopaths in the world. But how does this reboot look?
Well let’s start with issue number one. Michael B. Jordan is in talks to play the Human Torch. From an acting standpoint this is phenomenal. His performance in Chronicle attracted the likes of Star Wars (which he recently auditioned for). The problem is he is black and all the actresses looked at for the Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) are white. Anyone would say it is a key essential element to these characters for them to be brother and sister. The way this has to be dealt with is to make Sue Storm is black, but all of the three actresses up for consideration are white. I would only accept the “adopted” loop hole under one condition: They explore Torch’s reckless characteristics and habits as a means to cope with his feeling that he doesn’t belong. If this were the case I would be rather excited. But this brings up another flaw in the actors being considered: all six (three for Sue Storm and three for Reed Richards) are way too young.
The Fantastic Four should be in their 30’s pushing 40. Not early 20’s and college students. I would go as far to say their age is essential to their story. Why? Because they’re brilliant scientists! Reed Richards is one of the smartest people in the entire Marvel comic’s world. There is no way this can be put into the form of kids. Forgive me for not naming off the six potentials; they’re all a bunch of unknowns and a few side roles on TV. This doesn’t mean they’re short talent, it just means there’s nothing to discuss.
Lastly, just last week they announced the F4 script is undergoing “substantial overhaul” in rewriting the script. Better to fix it now before shooting starts, but this just isn’t the best start out of the gate for the F4. It’s a shame because I do believe the F4 lend themselves to a very good movie, but in different ways than other comic films. The success of F4 doesn’t come from fighting and villains, but interaction between its members and their family relationship. It’s a very character driven property and still should be. I’m still hoping for the best and am still looking forward to seeing it in 2015.
