Remember that time when Chris Evans wasn’t playing Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but was instead playing a superhero known as Human Torch in 2005’s “Fantastic Four”?
Well, times have changed. The movie recently gotten itself a reboot treatment at 20th Century Fox and it boasts a whole new star-studded cast.
Miles Teller, who recently rose to international fame through his role in “Whiplash”, is playing Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards in the movie alongside Michael B. Jordan‘s The Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Kate Mara‘s The Invisible Woman/Sue Storm, and Jamie Bell‘s The Thing/Ben Grimm. “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” actor Toby Kebbell will play Doctor Doom while Reg E. Cathey and Tim Blake Nelson will play Dr. Franklin Stom and The Mole Man/Harvey Elder respectively.
With “Chronicles”director Josh Trank attached to helm, the reboot, which is also the 3rd “Fantastic Four” film, will offer a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team. It will centre on 4 young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
In conjunction with the impending release of “Fantastic Four”, here are some fun facts you should know about the movie:
1. The origins of the characters are based on their “Ultimate Marvel” origin
The plot is said to be based on “Ultimate Fantastic Four”, the original comics that was illustrated by Adam Kubert and co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar.
Producer Simon Kinberg described the story as “a celebration of all the Fantastic Four comics, the notion of this dysfunctional surrogate family of scientists that come together and this idea that it’s almost more like a science adventure than a superhero film”. Michael B. Jordan has instead described it as “a bunch of kids that had an accident and have disabilities now that they have to cope with, and try to find a life afterwards”.
2. The team will wear “containment suits” first before eventually donning the classic costumes
Rather than donning the traditional superhero costumes, the team will be wearing “containment suits” when they first posses their special abilities. According to Michael B. Jordan, this is because the director will provide a “grounded and gritty” take on the film.
Their decision to alter the costume may throw fans off, but Miles Teller told Screen Crush that viewers will eventually see something more traditional because the suit we’ll see for the majority of the film is not the team’s final look. He said:
These are the beta versions of the costumes, which is great (…) But, yeah it would be very odd if the Fantastic Four didn’t don the traditional costumes. You’ve got to. There is some servicing there. You’ve got to give that to the fans. That’s what it’s all about.
Meanwhile, the white uniforms that they wore on their trip to the Negative Zone were said to be based on the Fantastic Four’s “Future Foundation” uniforms.
3. Margot Robbie auditioned for the role of Susan Storm/The Invisible Woman
Margot Robbie, who will star as Harley Quinn in DC Comics film “Suicide Squad“, was among the actresses who auditioned for the role of Susan Storm/The Invisible Woman before Kate Mara was cast. The other stars in contention were Saoirse Ronan, Allison Williams, and Emmy Rossum. Sasha Pieterse also auditioned for the role, but was considered too young for the part. At one point, African American actress Samira Wiley (of “Orange Is the New Black” fame) was also considered for the part.
The role was eventually snagged by Mara, who previously appeared as US Marshall in Marvel’s “Iron Man 2”. It marks her 2nd time playing a member of a team of superheroes as she first played a superhero in 2006’s “Zoom”. Ironically, she also appeared as the Invisible Woman in an episode of “Robot Chicken” in 2005.
4. Jon Snow Kit Harington could have played Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic!
Miles Teller is the first American actor to portray Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic as his role was previously portrayed by British actors Alex Hyde-White and Ioan Gruffudd in the 1994’s version and the 2005’s version of “The Fantastic Four” respectively.
But before Teller was cast, Kit Harington, who is best known for his role as Jon Snow in HBO‘s “Game of Thrones“, auditioned for the role of Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic as well. Anton Yelchin, Richard Madden, and Jack O’Connell also auditioned for the role, but Teller emerged as the studio’s top choice instead.
5. Jamie Bell is the first British actor to play Ben Grimm/The Thing
Terry Crews had publicly expressed interest in playing Ben Grimm. Kiefer Sutherland was the original choice for Ben Grimm. Chet Hanks, the son of Tom Hanks, made his feature film debut here as Jimmy Grimm. Jamie Bell consulted his “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn” (2011) co-star and motion capture artist Andy Serkis for assistance on his role as The Thing.
In contrast, Jamie Bell is the first British actor to play Ben Grimm/The Thing; his predecessors, Michael Bailey Smith and Michael Chiklis, were American. And for the first time, The Thing will be created in CGI rather than through prosthetics and make-up.
6. Michael B. Jordan emerged as the director’s first choice to play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch
Michael B. Jordan reunited with director Josh Trank through this film as they’ve previously worked together on 2012’s “Chronicles”. Due to his outstanding performance, he emerged as Trank’s first choice to play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. This marks Jordan’s 2nd time portraying a superhero as he provided the voice of Cyborg in the 2013 animated movie, “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox”. It also mark his 2nd time working with Teller as they perviously starred together in 2014’s “That Awkward Moment”.
Regarding the mixed ethnicities shown in the Storm family, Trank revealed that it represents his view of 21st century families:
I have a mixed family. When I go home for Christmas, you’ll see white people and black people; that’s normal to me.
During an industry event, Jordan ran into Chris Evans and ended up talking about about the role. According to Jordan, Evans said, “Man, I can’t give you anything. You’re great, you’re awesome. Just do your thing. And enjoy it. It’s gonna be fun.”
7. Toby Kebbell was 20th Century Fox’s first choice for the role of Dr. Doom
Before Toby Kebbell was cast, a slew of Hollywood A-listers including Eddie Redmayne, Jack Huston, Domhnall Gleeson, and Sam Riley were considered for the role of Dr. Doom. Kebbell naturally became the studio’s first choice to play the role as he has had experience in playing villains in other films.
Kebbell will first appear as a computer programmer before turning into a villain who acquired metal skin after travelling into the alternate universe. His appearance in this film is based on the “Ultimate Marvel” version of himself and he will incorporate elements from the “Ultimate Marvel” version of Annihilus (a being with metallic skin and green eyes) and the Mole Man (a being of an alternate realm).
According to Kebbell, his character will don 2 costumes in the film. However, the hardest part about playing the role was getting his voice right while wearing the costumes.
“Fantastic Four” is set to be released on 6th August 2015.
For more information, visit the movie’s official website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Sources: Screen Rant, Screen Crush, comicbook.com, comicbookmovie.com, io9.
