RELEASE DATE 7 AUGUST / Director Josh Trank / Starring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan / Genre Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
T
ake a group of young outsiders, all of whom possess different yet invaluable talents, and set them to work on unlocking the enigmas of inter-dimensional travel. Then cast those individuals into a devastating intergalactic void filled with untold mortal dangers. What happens when only four return home? Gifted (or perhaps cursed) with unimaginable powers, this group of scarred scientists and broken explorers find themselves reborn, their bodies and minds irreversibly altered and enhanced beyond all recognition. The group must confront and grapple with their new abilities; however, what they discovered on that planet threatens to haunt their new existence and doom the earth. Despite being Marvel Comics’ first team of superheroes - The Fantastic Four first graced newsstands with their genetically altered presences in 1961, two years prior to The Avengers’ unveiling - their previous cinematic exploits have been underwhelming. Uninspired casting and generic storytelling of the previous films flung the group into a z-list superhero limbo. Fans were left distraught over the mishandling of their heroes, while Hollywood studios were unwilling to risk light box-office takings and further negative reviews. However, as many comic book characters have previously proven - especially those with nipples on their batsuits - there’s always a way out of the Blu-ray bargain bin darkness and into the summer blockbuster light. Ironically, several relaunches of popular characters have highlighted the best way to achieve this is by telling a darker, grittier story that
focuses not just on awe-inspiring feats of mental and physical strength, but the depths of genuine human emotion. Fantastic Four looks sure to employ this formula while also mixing in a few unexpected ingredients. Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell star as Reed Richards, Johnny Storm, Sue Storm, and Ben Grimm, respectively. Accomplished Brit actor Toby Kebbel steps into the egomaniacal boots of one of the Marvel Universe’s most despicable villains, Doctor Doom, promising a controversial shake-up of the character’s origins and agenda. The Machiavellian and often mystical Doctor Victor von Doom is no more; in his place is Victor Domashev, an anti-social hacker who leaves a trail of online destruction under the simple pseudonym Doom. However, after an alliance with his four former acquaintances comes to a shocking end, that devastation will reach far beyond lines of binary code and science lab walls. In spite of the secretive nature of 20th Century Fox’s reboot and the mysteries surrounding what the plot will truly entail, comic book lovers will be fully aware of the highly influential nature of The Fantastic Four throughout many major Marvel events. Interestingly, director Josh Trank (Chronicle) has cited that alongside offering up a much gloomier incarnation of the ensemble, elements of cult horror cinema have seeped into the film to heighten audiences’ understanding of the terrifying transformations many characters undergo after journeying to the notorious Negative Zone. Perhaps this exciting and hard-hitting new direction can finally situate Marvel’s most enduring group at the forefront of silver screen superhero action. A door to a fearful new world has been opened. Now, we must defend our own.
REED RICHARDS
ALTER EGO: Mr. Fantastic POWER/ABILITIES: Super-elasticity and intellect. Reed’s shapeshifting is only matched by his brainpower.
JOHNNY STORM
ALTER EGO: Human Torch POWER/ABILITIES: Self-combustion and the ability to fly. “Flame on!”
SUE STORM
ALTER EGO: Invisible Woman POWER/ABILITIES: Invisibility and the ability to generate protective force fields. The Fantastic Four’s saving grace.
BEN GRIMM
ALTER EGO: The Thing POWER/ABILITIES: Indestructibility and super strength. A monstrous key to any door.
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