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Rewatch: 2015's Fantastic Four
Analysis review over 2015's Fantastic Four Movie
I recently watched the 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four for the first time, probably since it was released, and it disappointed me just as much as it did then. Directed by Josh Trank and starring Miles Teller as Reed, Kate Mara as Sue, Micheal B. Jordan as Johnny, Jamie Bell as Ben, and Toby Kebbell as Doom, the film is widely regarded as one of the worst comic book adaptations and perhaps movie ever.
Trank was coming off of Chronicle's hype, hoping he could continue his success with a reinvented Fantastic Four. Bringing along one of his young stars from Chronicle Micheal B. Jordan, he assembled a cast of young up incoming stars with tons of potential. I immediately was unsure of the casting one it was announced, not knowing if an all young Fantastic Four would translate well. The casting I really remember worrying about was Miles Teller as Reed Richards. I always liked Miles, and I hoped he proved me wrong (he didn't), but I just couldn't picture him playing a convincing Reed. Honestly, the only castings I originally got behind were Kate Mara and Micheal B. Jordon. When all was said and done, they probably were the only thing in the entire movie that seemed close to an accurate Fantastic Four. However, even their performances as Sue and Johnny couldn't save this movie from being utter garbage. Ultimately Trank's vision was too off-script of the beloved first family of Marvel Comics. Because of this, the movie failed and seemingly ruined the directors' career trajectory. All momentum for Josh Trank as a big blockbuster director came crashing to an end with his Fantastic Four. Through the years, he has stated the film that got released was not his original vision saying a lot was cut much like Zack Snyder claimed for Justice Leauge. Alas, there has not and will not be a Trank Cut of Fantastic Four as Marvel Studios has announced a Fantastic Four movie for their cinematic universe.
Rewatching the terrible 2015 film had me feeling hopeful for the coming Fantastic Four movie. Though very little is known at this point other than Spider-Man: Homecoming & Far From Home's Jon Watts is directing, it is safe to assume it will be better than Tranks'. I hope, at the very least, it is as good as Fox's first two Fantastic Four films. Though not great, those films were fun, family-centered movies that had the essence of who The Fantastic Four are in the comics, unlike Tranks'. And though Marvel Studios films have changed up some elements of their characters, the heart of each is never too far from the comics. The fact they are already pushing the tagline of Marvel's first family for this film gives me great hope as long as a cast has family-like chemistry and embodies the widely loved heroes and does not matter who they get though I do have my picks. Like most fans, I would really like to see real-life married couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman and although I think Johnny is going to be cast as a teen to coexist more with the numerous young heroes in and coming to the universe I think Zac Efron would be a stellar Human Torch. Now both Doom and Thing are more difficult for me to pick, and honestly, these two characters would be perfect to mold unknowns into.
For many, The Fantastic Four are the foundation for the whole body of Marvel Comics. Personally, the team means a lot to me as I primarily learned to read thanks to Fantastic Four comics. My Dad was, and is, a gigantic Fantastic Four fan and, more specifically, the ever loveable blue-eyed Thing (I seriously was almost named Ben). I know just as myself and my father, everyone can't wait for the new Fantastic Four movie to come out so the 2015 monstrosity can be buried out of all our minds forever.
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