Fantastic Four (2015)

[toddly6666]

In an ideal world, if FF4 was back to Marvel, I would cast Robert Downey Jr as Mister Fantastic, Scarlett Johanson as Invisible Woman, Mark Raffalo as The Thing, and of course...Anthonie Mackie as the Human Torch.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

In an ideal world, if FF4 was back to Marvel, I would cast Robert Downey Jr as Mister Fantastic, Scarlett Johanson as Invisible Woman, Mark Raffalo as The Thing, and of course...Anthonie Mackie as the Human Torch.

I agree, except I would put Jessica Alba in place of Scarlett.

Heh.



*duck*

[DisneyBlu]

Josh Trank And Simon Kinberg Address FANTASTIC FOUR Controversy, Casting, And More

In a recent interview with the Hero Complex Magazine for the LA Times, Josh Trank revealed that he "knew it was going to get ugly" when the decision was made to make some major changes to the source material for his upcoming reboot of the Fantastic Four. However, it sounds like the Chronicle director actually sympathises with fans!

"I get it. I have a lot of friends who are older than me who are comic fans and it's really hard for them to be on board with a change like that. 'Fantastic Four' has been theirs for longer than I've been alive. It hasn't been mine." That's a valid point, but it's not really just older fans who aren't happy with the changes being made! Regardless, Trank hopes that they will at least approach the movie with an open mind this August.

"It only speaks to the greatness of any story that has been told for decades or centuries that people still want to tell that story. But you can’t just keep telling it the same way over and over again. And I think it only helps the world to be more honest with young kids, to show them the world that they go walk outside and see." To be fair, it's easy to see where Trank is coming from.

That's what Trank had to say about changing The Human Torch's race, but producer and writer Simon Kinberg also weighed in on some of the controversy surrounding their casting choices, specifically Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm/The Thing. "The change of Jamie as Ben being a smaller guy instead of a bigger guy, for example, was for a purpose. It's more dramatic when that character becomes a huge rock creature – that's a bigger transformation. The notion of a working-class tough guy who's been pushed around by his bigger brothers his whole life seemed like a more interesting character than the guy who started as a football player and just ended up being 4 inches taller."

Finally, Trank acknowledged that he's been "turned into a punching bag" by the internet, but is open to hearing from fans. "I want to hear opinions – it’s good to know what people are questioning. I think maybe there’s a part of me that needs adversity from the rest of the world in order to feel motivated to want to prove people wrong. I need people to be like, 'What is this weirdo doing?'"

Josh Trank Reveals Why He Really Left STAR WARS; Addresses FANTASTIC FOUR BTS Rumors

When Josh Trank didn't show up at this year's Star Wars Celebration, he and Disney told everyone that he had the flu. The truth was that the Chronicle helmer was no longer attached to direct their second Star Wars Anthology movie, and various trades would later claim that he was fired for strange behaviour on set, property damage, and a falling out with writer and producer Simon Kinberg.

Calling his departure "the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life," Trank told Hero Complex the following in an interview last week about those reports. "None of those facts were true – and any of the facts that were true were spun in such a maliciously wrong way. If you ask anybody by name who I’ve worked with, from Simon to [producer] Hutch [Parker] or my crew or anybody else, they’d be like, ‘We’ve been working really hard on this movie and we’ve had an excellent time working together.' It’s been a challenging movie – for all of the right reasons."

The director then goes on to deny claims that his dogs caused $100,000 worth of damage to a property rented for him by Fox and that he recently took to 4Chan to vent his frustrations about the movie.

So, why did Trank leave Star Wars? "I want to do something original after this because I’ve been living under public scrutiny, as you’ve seen, for the last four years of my life. And it’s not healthy for me right now in my life. I want to do something that’s below the radar."

This could all be true or a PR move by Fox to try and help distance Fantastic Four from those reports by The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. It's hard to know who to believe, and chances are we may never know what hapenned. This is Trank's take on things though. Interestingly, Simon Kinberg - the man who reportedly had Trank fired from Star Wars - was also present for this interview, and he jumped to Trank's defense. "I’ve been around some version of this for a long time. This, I would say, is particularly cruel. I haven’t really seen this level of vehemence against a filmmaker. And it’s surreal and unfair."

Articles from Comic Book Movie, originally via the Hollywood Reporter and the LA Times.

Thoughts? Trank basically says that he left Star Wars - his "dream project" - because people were mean on the internet.

Do you think the 'Disney fired him because of drugs/erratic behavior' is true? Or do you believe that a young filmmaker, after making two films (one yet to be released) would voluntarily walk away from a Star Wars movie at the start of his career?

[AaronJ]

I can't pretend to know what really happened, and I haven't followed this that closely, but I would guess that the reason is sort of in the middle.

He was scared. And I don't mean that as a criticism, or a put-down, or anything like that. Who WOULDN'T be scared? It's a lot different for JJ, since he's got tons of experience. But for a guy like Trank ... I would think he probably woke up one day, had a drink, stared out the window, and thought to himself, "WTF have I gotten myself into?!"

And I don't blame him.

[Gamma_Winstead]

I mean, exactly. He's getting this much hatred over a property relatively few people care about anymore. Imagine what would happen if he messes up the slightest bit for Star Wars?

I LOVE Star Wars. I would absolutely turn down making a film though, because it's just heartwrenchingly stressful in the Internet age to approach something like this.

[DisneyBlu]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I can't pretend to know what really happened, and I haven't followed this that closely, but I would guess that the reason is sort of in the middle.

He was scared. And I don't mean that as a criticism, or a put-down, or anything like that. Who WOULDN'T be scared? It's a lot different for JJ, since he's got tons of experience. But for a guy like Trank ... I would think he probably woke up one day, had a drink, stared out the window, and thought to himself, "WTF have I gotten myself into?!"

And I don't blame him.

I can understand being intimidated by a Star Wars movie, even just a spinoff (which Trank was on).

But to say how much you love Star Wars, to say that it inspired you and made you want to make movies, and then to actually walk away from that opportunity? And it is an opportunity -- a huge one. Even a Star Wars spinoff is something most filmmakers would kill for. So you're a director, your third movie would be a Star Wars movie, and you walk? No way.

He can list "Fantastic Four fans were mean to me" as his reason for bailing, but I don't buy it. You're a grown man. Stay off Twitter, don't read message boards, make your movie. I just can't buy that a supposed huge Star Wars fan, and a young director, would choose to walk away from this tremendous opportunity.

I think Trank blew it and Disney didn't want any part of it. Not showing up to the Star Wars event because of a convenient cold? No one coming out to say "good luck" or "best wishes" to Trank when the news came out he was off Star Wars? Max Landis' "karma" tweet literally minutes after the news broke? Someone at the Hollywood Reporter is standing by the "he was fired" angle.

It just doesn't add up. There wouldn't be much fan hatred involved with the making of his Star Wars movie (supposedly a Fett film) because that wouldn't be an adaptation of a beloved, more than 50 year old comic book. There couldn't be any complaints about race changing characters. There wouldn't be complaints about how Dr. Doom is a programmer who goes by "Doctor Doom" on the internet. That Fett film would have more freedom than a Fantastic Four film, so there wouldn't be much there to criticize as there was with Fantastic Four.

Again, I can completely understand being intimidated by the fear of failure with making a bad Star Wars movie... but it didn't stop George Lucas, and he has received one billion times the hate Trank has over Fantastic Four. Be a big boy, ignore the internet, make the movie.

I believe he was fired. No young director with two movies under his belt says "I was hired to do a Star Wars movie, but I'm going to go do something original instead." I just don't buy it.

[DisneyBlu]

Originally Posted by Gamma_Winstead

I mean, exactly. He's getting this much hatred over a property relatively few people care about anymore. Imagine what would happen if he messes up the slightest bit for Star Wars?

I LOVE Star Wars. I would absolutely turn down making a film though, because it's just heartwrenchingly stressful in the Internet age to approach something like this.

Fett is practically a blank slate. A Boba Fett movie would not be scrutinized as much, or even as close to the amount, of a Fantastic Four movie. Your biggest obligation would be to stick to how the character was established in terms of personality (of which we've seen very little of) and of in appearance. That's it. He's a tough, stoic, silent type. And Disney would be very protective of all their Star Wars properties... Trank wouldn't have had the freedom to go off the reservation and do what he wanted, the way he did with Fantastic Four.

So, again, I don't buy walking off of Star Wars because of the fans.

[Mobe1969]

Originally Posted by DisneyBlu

Fox might miss them on the Monday after opening weekend... maybe.

We'll see. If it does poorly, it will teach Fox and all involved that accusing your fanbase of being racists and/or losers and saying "they'll see it anyway" isn't the best way to market a movie.

Hah hah yes, Fox are awesome at being right in touch with their customers, as you can see from their torpedoing of blu ray releases of so many series.

[Dalekbuster523Bluray]

Originally Posted by Gamma_Winstead

Have you ever even read a fantastic four comic? Genuinely asking.

Yes I have and I found Fantastic Four and Rise Of The Silver Surfer very faithful in tone and characters to the comics. The 2015 reboot just looks nothing like Fantastic Four whatsoever. Too dark and gritty.

Fantastic Four should be light and funny like the other movies were.

[levcore]

Originally Posted by Dalekbuster523Bluray

Yes I have and I found Fantastic Four and Rise Of The Silver Surfer very faithful in tone and characters to the comics. The 2015 reboot just looks nothing like Fantastic Four whatsoever. Too dark and gritty.

Fantastic Four should be light and funny like the other movies were.

That's generous

[Dalekbuster523Bluray]

Originally Posted by thunderforce

I am only boycotting until Marvel gets back the FF and the sooner everyone gets on board the quicker it will happen . Silver Surfer has a date there with a boy band called the Annihilators .

Agreed. Marvel need the rights back ASAP. I'd love to see Reed Richards and Bruce Banner in the same universe.

[Forehead_of_Security]

Originally Posted by Dalekbuster523Bluray

Fantastic Four should be light and funny like the other movies were.

No. No. No. I disagree completely with your (valid) point of view.

I feel that just because those two previous were made, they should go for something different this time around.

[Dalekbuster523Bluray]

Originally Posted by Forehead_of_Security

No. No. No. I disagree completely with your (valid) point of view.

I feel that just because those two previous were made, they should go for something different this time around.

But this 'something different' is too different. What's the point in a Fantastic Four film that looks to only be Fantastic Four by name?

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by DisneyBlu

Again, I can completely understand being intimidated by the fear of failure with making a bad Star Wars movie... but it didn't stop George Lucas, and he has received one billion times the hate Trank has over Fantastic Four. Be a big boy, ignore the internet, make the movie.

I believe he was fired. No young director with two movies under his belt says "I was hired to do a Star Wars movie, but I'm going to go do something original instead." I just don't buy it.

It didn't stop George Lucas because, frankly, Lucas believes he can do no wrong. He's a total narcissist. Listen to the guy talk sometime. He's convinced that every decision he's ever made is absolutely correct. Of COURSE nothing's going to bother him.

[DisneyBlu]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

It didn't stop George Lucas because, frankly, Lucas believes he can do no wrong. He's a total narcissist. Listen to the guy talk sometime. He's convinced that every decision he's ever made is absolutely correct. Of COURSE nothing's going to bother him.

Is that why Jar Jar had his role diminished into a cameo in Attack of the Clones? Because George Lucas is always right and can never admit to wrongdoing?

Please. He sidelined his beloved Jar Jar because he saw he was wrong about the character and how he would be perceived. He acknowledged that people didn't like Jar Jar and rightfully benched him for the next two films after Phantom Menace.

And I was partly incorrect, by the way - years of relentless fanboy backlash is what practically forced Lucas into retirement.

Remember this famous story from 2012?

Speaking with the New York Times, Lucas claims that he’s retiring from blockbusters with the release of Red Tails to focus on small “personal” films.

“I’m retiring,” Lucas said. “I’m moving away from the business, from the company, from all this kind of stuff.”

Of course, he went on to say that he isn’t ruling out a 5th Indiana Jones movie if it ever does move forward. So the notion that he’s retiring may be a little premature.

As for Star Wars, Lucas commented on the widespread criticism he received over the years regarding the numerous revisions he made to the original trilogy—a wound that was re-opened recently with the release of the Blu-ray boxed set.

“On the Internet, all those same guys that are complaining I made a change are completely changing the movie,” Lucas says, referring to fans who, like the dreaded studios, have done their own forcible re-edits. “I’m saying: ‘Fine. But my movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it.’ ”

As for the possibility of another Star Wars movie, Lucas had this to say:

“Why would I make any more when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?”

(http://nerdapproved.com/movies/georg...tar-wars-film/)

"Nothing's going to bother him?" He was bothered enough to retire over it.

Also, note, he doesn't say "my way is the only correct way, everyone else is wrong"... he just says that it was HIS way.

But my movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it.

Not "the right way"... just the way "[he] wanted it."

He made his trilogy - and Star Wars is his - the way he wanted it. He was lashed after Phantom Menace... but he made Attack of the Clones. He was lashed even more for Attack of the Clones... but he made Revenge of the Sith. And he was lashed, although less so, once more. But he didn't let all those mean fans and their whining stop him from making the prequel trilogy he wanted to make. It just made him realize that Sith would be his last. Selling Star Wars to Disney and letting other people continue the saga and make the new ones... doesn't sound to me like a guy who thinks he can do no wrong.

But George Lucas is very different from Trank in that Lucas is a pioneer filmmaker billionaire who has nothing to prove. He can walk away from Star Wars, because he changed cinema. Trank, though? The director of Chronicle and Chronicle 2: Fantastic Four? He's in no position to walk away from Star Wars.

He was fired.

[wormraper]

it could be people rag on him because he hasn't made a good movie in decades... seriously... "Red Tails" , Indy 4 etc... they weren't panned because people "just hate lucas" they were panned and he was run over the coals cuz they SUCKED.

[AaronJ]

Your post does nothing but make my point. Lucas is a total narcissist.

Thank you.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Your post does nothing but make my point. Lucas is a total narcissist.

Thank you.

Totally agreed. George Lucas is in the James Cameron tier of narcissistic filmmakers, to the point where I'm a little iffy on whether or not to consider them part of the human race.

God I hope some more news or trailers for this movie are released soon because I couldn't care less why Josh Trank isn't directing Star Wars: Here's Another One.

[Forehead_of_Security]

Originally Posted by Dalekbuster523Bluray

But this 'something different' is too different. What's the point in a Fantastic Four film that looks to only be Fantastic Four by name?

I agree about the "making something too different"-point.
I'm just excited to see a FF-movie that does not look/feel like the previous ones.

Although we'll have to wait to figure out how much it will (not) differ from the FF-feel in the end.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by Forehead_of_Security

I agree about the "making something too different"-point.
I'm just excited to see a FF-movie that does not look/feel like the previous ones.

Although we'll have to wait to figure out how much it will (not) differ from the FF-feel in the end.

ah ha ha ha ha look at this guy, waiting to see the movie before passing judgment on it