Fantastic Four (2015)

[Darkstream]

Originally Posted by Bolty

For me this isn't about race at all. I just don't trust this director and as I have said before if they make Reed, Doom and Ben in their 20s---it's a redbox rental for me.

Changing the fundamental dynamic of a comic that has been around for 54 years is a much bigger sin than changing a race.

Please don't cater to a younger audience by making them all young---there are dozens of comic characters who are and have been portrayed as very young----Reed, Ben and Doom have to have a little history and maturity in my book.

And my most desired MCU movie I wish they would make BEFORE Cap 3, Thor 3, Dr Strange, Inhumans, etc is Black Panther with Chewetal Enjifor (sp?)
Sign him now before he gets tied to another project!

Chiwetel Ejiofor -- Yes, I like that guy! He was in Serenity and a few other movies I've seen. Good actor!



The more I think about it, the more I think that if they would have cast Reed Richards first, then the less problems I would have had with them casting a black actor in a role, had that role actually been Reed Richards.

I just think that if they were going to change anyones race, Reed Richard, or maybe even Ben Grimm, would have been one of the two better characters suited for it, simply because they would not have to feel forced to cast another black actor/actress as Susan Storm -- or even a white actress, which would wind up causing questions about her relationship to a black Johnny.

Also, had they cast Reed Richards first, and emphasized him as the older, smarter team leader that he should be, they could cast him strictly based on his qualifications as an actor and his suitability to the character, and race would not factor in as much or be that much of an issue. THEN, it may also make more sense to cast the other roles around the "main" or "central" character, which would and should be Reed Richards, not Johnny Storm.

In other words, I'd probably have less problem with the casting route of this movie, had Reed Richards (black, white or otherwise) been cast first and was more fittingly mature and maybe even slightly more central to the story and casting.

Originally Posted by bootsy

Anything is more than what you are adding which is whining and complaining. Like I said get over it. If Jordan gets the part he gets it and who cares how he got it. How an actor gets a role isn't equal.

Voicing opinions is not always whining and complaining. You obviously have no intelligent input to add to the discussion or debate, which is what forums are for, so troll off.

[Bolty]

Originally Posted by bootsy

Anything is more than what you are adding which is whining and complaining. Like I said get over it. If Jordan gets the part he gets it and who cares how he got it. How an actor gets a role isn't equal.

Anything about the movie you want to say or just attack people who are having a reasonable discussion.

People talk all the time about casting---it shouldn't be off-limits or pointless on your say so.

[Sylentwolf]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Yep.

Seeing people cry about Dr. Doom possibly being female or The Torch being black (seriously, only a racist would complain about that) just shows how they are adamantly against anything that conflicts with their favorite version of the characters in the comic books and not open for change.

Or: bloo hoo hoo!!

Originally Posted by Packerfan75

Exactly. It's nothing more than, "hey, look at me, I'm super sensitive to today's issues. Equality and fairness for all!" It's just attention getting gimmicks.
Why do people assume that when other people don't like the changes, it means we're racists who'll only accept an all white cast? The only issue for me is that's what they were in the comics I was reading as a kid.
I'd say the same thing if they rebooted Blade as anything other than black, or wonder woman a man. It just doesn't need to be messed with.
Just because a superhero was written as white doesn't mean it needs to be updated.

I find it funny that someone would have to use "racism" to explain why someone else doesn't like changes to something that he/she truly appreciate and/or enjoy. And not only funny, but I do find it highly offensive and disrespectful to anyone who is reasonably and innocently "sharing an opinion" about a fictional character and/or story. Especially when that "something" has a history of characters and stories that are older than you. I wouldn't mind some changes to the FF franchise, but from what I've seen and heard, I'm not all for it. When it comes to casting...

A report from last month indicated that Twentieth Century Fox was ready to kick the casting process for their upcoming film The Fantastic Four into high gear and now it seems they've tested a number of actors just this week. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Kate Mara ("House of Cards") and Emmy Rossum ("Shameless") have both tested for the part of Sue Storm and that Miles Teller, who has been in the running for some time, tested for the role of Reed Richards. The site also notes that British actor Christian Cooke tested for the role of Ben Grimm aka The Thing and that once again Michael B. Jordan is the only one in contention for the role of Johnny Storm.

The most interesting development about the film is what THR says they've learned about antagonist Doctor Doom, who they say is expected to be the villain once again in the film. Fox is reportedly likely to cast a big name actor in the role, but in a surprising development, they are considering the possibility of switching the character's gender. Keep in mind that casting for the film is still ongoing and it's no guarantee that these actors will book the roles. Check back here for further updates on the film as we learn them.

Filming on The Fantastic Four is expected to begin in Baton Rouge this March. Josh Trank will direct the big screen adaptation, which is currently set for release on June 19, 2015​.

... I'm really not that interested in seeing any of these actors/actresses in this film, especially Emma Rossum. As far as seeing Michael B. Jordan for the role of Johnny Storm, possibly opposite of Emma Rossum, that would be silly and overly dynamic for this film. But we all know Hollywood is heavy on being "Politically Correct" when it comes to casting these days. Studios have to show fairness within an "equal opportunity setting." Hollywood is very "gender oriented and racially motivated" these days than ever before. I believe that many studios are beginning to exercise this style of casting ONLY to rid themselves as being labeled a "racist" studio. It's sad that companies and organizations have come to this, as a standard" only to avoid the bad publicity. Michael B. Jordan maybe a really good cast, but this isn't the ABC Family movie "The Fosters," and we are not that naïve, especially when it comes to creativity and ethics. If Fox' idea for this franchise is to show diversity and family, than Michael B. Jordan just may need a sister with the looks of a Lauren London, Zoe Kravitz, or Kylie Bunbury. That would work for me, attractive, believable, pleasing, and family-based all around. Hollywood studios are only trying to be racially diverse when it comes to expressing the looks of our social structure in today's society and culture.


BTW, I believe that Jackie Cooper, from Superman, has been the best (form of) Perry White I've seen yet

[chris_sc77]

The only thing I have a problem with is how incredibly young they appear to be going for the roles.
Its getting to be a real problem as most of these younger actors are horrible and are all indistinguishable from one another.

[vega2K]

Funny change in approach:

Fantastic Four (2004-07 run): black director, white male cast, hispanic descent female (made to be white but ended up with an unintentional skrull-like hybrid)

Fantastic Four reboot: white director, mix of full-on white and black cast. I just hope they don't go the Alba route and put a blonde wig on Michael B. Jordan!!!!!!

[Infernal King]

I'd like to add that when someone writes a lot of words which can be boiled down to "I fear change", it's hard for me to take them seriously.

We're not talking about people who actually existed. None of these characters are real and they debuted in a time when black people were being lynched in the American South. As if these characters ever had a chance of being black or [insert minority here] back then. I'm not saying the leads in this film need to be racially diverse; I'd be fine if they were all white. I'm just defending the possibility of the studio casting non-white actors in one or more of the lead roles.

No one has presented a compelling argument as to why these characters need to be white. There's just been complaining about Hollywood being compassionate - I mean, "politically correct" - and "those damn minorities, stealing roles from hard-working white actors".

I'm a huge James Bond fan and if EON ever decides to cast a non-white actor in the role, I'll support it if I think that person is the right fit. But of course there will always be people who will complain that "this fictional character has always been white and therefore should remain so forever". These people deserve to be mocked.

[vega2K]

I'm Hispanic, but for better or worse, as a kid I grew-up with the FF being white. So, I would prefer that they remain white. However, if they are going to change the ethnicity, I just wish they would stick to the comic character storyline, where Susan and Johnny are brother and sister. I wish they wouldn't change that dynamic. I'd rather not have them introduce the "adopted" approach or worse, a "brother from another mother/father" approach for the sake of equal opportunity... But that's just me...

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by vega2K

I'm Hispanic, but for better or worse, as a kid I grew-up with the FF being white. So, I would prefer that they remain white. However, if they are going to change the ethnicity, I just wish they would stick to the comic character storyline, where Susan and Johnny are brother and sister. I wish they wouldn't change that dynamic. I'd rather not have them introduce the "adopted" approach or worse, a "brother from another mother/father" approach for the sake of equal opportunity... But that's just me...

You're entitled to your opinion but again, this is the same argument for keeping them white as has been repeated numerous times so far: "I grew up with the characters being this way and/or that's how they were in the comics."

I just don't see that as a valid reason for insisting that someone non-white be cast, even if the actor/actress who's been chosen ends up being a good fit and maybe even gives a good performance.

But my ultimate, rhetorical feeling about all of this is: "Who gives a shit?"

[toddly6666]

Breaking news. The movie will now be called Fantastic Six with the addition of H.E.R.B.I.E. played by Michael Pena. His character will be a cyborg. And Franklin Richards will also be added - rather than playing the son of Reed and Sue, he will be playing the father. Kellen Lutz will be playing that role.

[olivasauce]

If they are going to make Johnny Storm black there is no question they should make Sue Storm black too. If they don't want to make her black why don't they have Michael B. Jordan play Reed Richards or something?

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

You're entitled to your opinion but again, this is the same argument for keeping them white as has been repeated numerous times so far: "I grew up with the characters being this way and/or that's how they were in the comics."

I just don't see that as a valid reason for insisting that someone non-white be cast, even if the actor/actress who's been chosen ends up being a good fit and maybe even gives a good performance.

But my ultimate, rhetorical feeling about all of this is: "Who gives a shit?"

Understood. But I would challenge you not to cringe at the thought of having Superman be black.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Understood. But I would challenge you not to cringe at the thought of having Superman be black.

I guess I don't care about superheroes as much as most people on the Internet but for me, it would depend on who was cast.

Has Superman ever been anything except white in the comics?

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Understood. But I would challenge you not to cringe at the thought of having Superman be black.

I'd kind of like that to happen just to see the reaction across the whole fan/non-fan spectrum.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

I'd kind of like that to happen just to see the reaction across the whole fan/non-fan spectrum.

For some people, it would be a good enough reason to start a second Civil War (and I'm not talking about the comic book version).

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

You're entitled to your opinion but again, this is the same argument for keeping them white as has been repeated numerous times so far: "I grew up with the characters being this way and/or that's how they were in the comics."

I just don't see that as a valid reason for insisting that someone non-white be cast, even if the actor/actress who's been chosen ends up being a good fit and maybe even gives a good performance.

But my ultimate, rhetorical feeling about all of this is: "Who gives a shit?"

I would rather see a black Superman in traditional costume rather than watching a white actor wear the capeless black suit costume.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Has Superman ever been anything except white in the comics?

Clark Kent has always been white, to the very best of my knowledge.

During Identity Crisis there was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it black Superman from an alternate universe named Calvin Ellis.

He was also President of the United States.

[MyBlu-rayBrotherEd]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Has Superman ever been anything except white in the comics?

Has Johnny Storm?

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by MyBlu-rayBrotherEd

Has Johnny Storm?

LoL....

[Beast]

Originally Posted by olivasauce

If they are going to make Johnny Storm black there is no question they should make Sue Storm black too. If they don't want to make her black why don't they have Michael B. Jordan play Reed Richards or something?

Why though? As if mixed heritage families don't exist in the real world?

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by MyBlu-rayBrotherEd

Has Johnny Storm?

I dunno, I'm not a comic book fan.