Fantastic Four (2005 film)#Soundtrack

{{Infobox film

| image = Fantastic Four poster.jpg

| alt = The Four; Mr. Fantastic, The Thing, The Invisible Woman and The Human Torch are standing with their uniforms on the circled number "4" below them, and the film's title, credits and release date underneath them.

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Tim Story

| writer = {{Plainlist|

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| based_on = {{based on|Fantastic Four|Stan Lee|Jack Kirby}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

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| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = Oliver Wood

| editing = William Hoy

| music = John Ottman

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Constantin Film
20th Century Fox{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members//catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=63409|title=Fantastic Four|work=American Film Institute|access-date=October 28, 2016}}
Marvel Enterprises
1492 Pictures

}}

| distributor = 20th Century Fox

| released = {{Film date|2005|7|8}}

| runtime = 106 minutes{{cite web | url = https://www.allmovie.com/movie/fantastic-four-v286677 | title=Fantastic Four (2005)| publisher= AllMovie.com | access-date= June 13, 2015}}

| country = {{Plainlist|

Germany
United States{{cite web|url=https://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b8aa08c28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808130603/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b8aa08c28|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2012|title=Fantastic 4|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=4 October 2014}}

}}

| language = English

| budget = $87.5–100 million{{Cite web |url= https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Fantastic-Four-(2005)#tab=summary |title=Fantastic Four (2005) |website=The Numbers |access-date= December 29, 2020}}

| gross = $333.5 million

}}

Fantastic Four (sometimes stylized as Fantastic 4) is a 2005 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It was directed by Tim Story, and released by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon, and Kerry Washington. The film follows the origins of the titular team as they learn to come to terms with their newfound abilities following their exposure to cosmic rays.

This was the second live-action Fantastic Four film to be filmed. A previous attempt, titled The Fantastic Four, was a B-movie produced by Roger Corman that ultimately went unreleased. Fantastic Four was released in the United States on July 8, 2005. The film received generally negative reviews from critics but its performances were praised. The film grossed $333.5 million worldwide and was a box office success. A sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, was released in 2007. A reboot was released in 2015, while another, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is scheduled for release in 2025. Evans, who would portray Captain America in the MCU, later reprised his role as Johnny Storm / Human Torch in the MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).

Plot

Dr. Reed Richards, along with his friend, Ben Grimm, convinces Dr. Victor Von Doom, CEO of Von Doom Industries, to allow him access to his space station to test the effects of exposure of clouds of cosmic energy on biological samples. Victor agrees and recruits his chief genetics researcher (and Reed's ex-girlfriend) Susan Storm and her reckless brother Johnny Storm.

They arrive in space to study the cosmic clouds, but the clouds arrive ahead of schedule. Reed, Susan, and Johnny leave the shielded station to rescue Ben, out on a space walk to place the samples, while Victor closes the shields behind them to keep himself protected. The storm breaks through the station and strikes the four. They return home but soon begin to develop strange powers. Reed is able to stretch like rubber, Susan can become invisible and create force fields, Johnny can engulf himself in fire, and Ben is transformed into a large, rock-based creature with superhuman strength and durability. Victor meanwhile faces a backlash from his stockholders due to the publicity from the failed mission.

On the Brooklyn Bridge, Ben accidentally causes a traffic pile-up while stopping a man from committing suicide. The four use their various powers to contain the damage and save lives. While the public cheers them for their efforts, Ben's fiancée arrives to silently split their engagement, unable to accept him for his condition. Reed vows to a heartbroken Ben to reverse the effects. The media dubs them "The Fantastic Four," and Victor exploits the news story to his stockholders, but they decide to pull out of Von Doom Industries. The four move into Reed's lab in the Baxter Building to study their abilities and work on finding a cure. Victor offers his support in their efforts but blames Reed for the mission's failure.

Reed plans to construct a machine to re-create the storm and reverse their conditions. However, Johnny refuses to cooperate, insisting they should just embrace their powers. Meanwhile, Victor, having also been affected by the storm due to the shields' malfunctioning, begins mutating into organic metal that is able to produce electricity, and begins plotting to use his new powers to take his revenge.

Victor drives a wedge between Ben and Reed, resulting in Ben walking out in a rage. This motivates Reed to attempt the machine on himself, but he cannot generate enough power to push the storm to critical mass. Victor hears this and brings Ben to the lab. Ben is placed in the machine and Victor uses his abilities to produce the electricity needed to power it, turning Ben back to normal and accelerating Victor's condition, causing much of his body to turn to metal. Victor knocks the human Ben unconscious and kidnaps Reed.

Victor, now calling himself "Doom," tortures Reed using a super-cooling unit and fires a heat-seeking missile at the Baxter Building to kill Johnny. He flies through the city to evade it, lighting a garbage barge on fire to trick it. Sue rushes to free Reed and battles Doom but is outmatched. Ben arrives to help, transformed into The Thing again by reusing the machine. The battle spills into the streets, and the four assemble to battle Doom. Johnny and Susan combine their powers to wrap Doom in an inferno of intense flames, and Ben and Reed douse him with cold water, inducing thermal shock and freezing Doom in place.

In an epilogue, Ben tells Reed to forget about his experiment with the machine, as he has accepted his condition through his relationship with Alicia Masters, a blind artist. The team decides to embrace their roles as superheroes, and Reed proposes to Sue. Meanwhile, a frozen Doom is transported back to his homeland of Latveria.

Cast

{{castlist|

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As in almost all of the previous Marvel Comics-based films, Fantastic Four co-creator Stan Lee makes a cameo appearance, this time as Willie Lumpkin, the postal worker who greets the team on their way to the Baxter Building elevator.Matthew Kirdahy (7 February 2008). "[http://www.forbes.com/leadership/2008/02/07/heroes-villains-comics-lead-cx_mk_0206stanlee.html Q&A With Stan Lee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611144846/http://www.forbes.com/leadership/2008/02/07/heroes-villains-comics-lead-cx_mk_0206stanlee.html |date=June 11, 2008 }}". Forbes.com. Accessed February 7, 2008. Hugh Jackman reprises his role as James Howlett / Logan / Wolverine from the X-Men film series in a scene in which Reed Richards changes his face to resemble Jackman's portrayal of Wolverine in an attempt to woo Susan Storm; the scene was deleted from the theatrical cut of Fantastic Four and was restored in the "Extended Cut" of the film. Canadian broadcasters Terry David Mulligan and Ben Mulroney, and American broadcaster Lauren Sánchez make cameos as reporters.{{cite web|url=https://www.tribute.ca/magazines/teen/summer2005/fantastic_four.htm |title=The Fantastic Four |publisher=Tribute.ca |access-date=2019-10-14}} Cameos during the X Games scenes include professional freestyle motocross riders Kenny Bartram and Brian Deegan, and reporter Jamie Little. David Parker and Pascale Hutton (the latter only appears in the extended version of the film) appeared as Ernie and Nightclub Girlfriend, respectively

Production

In 1983, German producer Bernd Eichinger met with Stan Lee at his home in Los Angeles to explore obtaining an option for a movie based on the Fantastic Four.{{cite magazine | title = Fantastic Faux! | first = Robert | last = Ito | magazine = Los Angeles | date = March 2005 | page = [https://books.google.com/books?id=SF8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA109 109] }} The option was not available until three years later, when Eichinger's Constantin Film company obtained it from Marvel Comics for a price the producer called "not enormous", and which has been estimated to be $250,000.Ito, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=SF8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA110 110] Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures showed interest, but were cautious of Eichinger's $40–45 million budget.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1992/voices/columns/peters-geffen-in-talks-to-buy-bel-air-hotel-1117862274/|title=Peters, Geffen in talks to buy Bel-Air Hotel|author=Army Archerd|work=Variety|date=August 11, 1992}} With the option scheduled to expire on December 31, 1992, Eichinger asked Marvel for an extension. With none forthcoming, Eichinger planned to retain his option by producing a low-budget Fantastic Four film, reasoning, he said in 2005, "They didn't say I had to make a big movie." In 1992, he approached B-movie director and producer Roger Corman on the idea of producing the film on a $5 million budget in order to keep the rights, which he eventually decided to bring down to $1 million. In 1994, the adaptation, titled The Fantastic Four had its trailer released to cinemas, and its cast and director went on a promotional tour, however the film was not officially released. The film was accused of being an ashcan copy, meaning it was only made to keep the license.{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.09/fan.four.html|title=The Fantastic Four Movie You'll Never See|magazine=Wired|date=September 1994|access-date=June 18, 2009|first=Sheila|last=Muto}} Lee and Eichinger stated that the actors had no idea of the situation, instead believing they were creating a proper release.{{cite web |url=http://fantasticfour.ugo.com/movies/fantasticfour_1994/ |title=Fantastic Four (1994) |publisher=UGO |access-date=September 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105195549/http://fantasticfour.ugo.com/movies/fantasticfour_1994/ |archive-date=November 5, 2007 }} Marvel Comics, along with Avi Arad and close friend Ralph Winter, paid in exchange for the film's negative, so 20th Century Fox could go ahead with the big-budget adaptation,{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} as well as a possible spin-off film starring the Silver Surfer for summer 1998.

Fox hired Chris Columbus to write and direct Fantastic Four in 1995.{{cite news|author=Army Archerd|url=https://variety.com/1995/voices/columns/columbus-seeing-red-after-nine-reviews-1117862735/|title=Columbus seeing red after 'Nine' reviews|work=Variety|date=1995-07-13|access-date=2014-10-09}} He developed a screenplay with Michael France, but decided to step down as director and focus on producing Fantastic Four under his 1492 Pictures company. Peter Segal was hired to direct in April 1997,{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Michael|url=https://variety.com/1997/voices/columns/a-mania-for-marvel-1117434784/|title=A Mania for Marvel|work=Variety|date=1997-04-14|access-date=2014-10-09}} and was replaced by Sam Weisman by the end of the year.{{cite news|author=Andrew Hindes|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/weisman-set-to-helm-out-of-towners-1116680266/|title=Weisman set to helm 'Out-of-Towners'|work=Variety|date=1997-12-11|access-date=2014-10-09}} Fox brought in Sam Hamm to rewrite the script in April 1998{{cite news|author=Staff|url=https://variety.com/1998/voices/columns/midler-tries-on-noir-new-line-keys-on-prodigy-1117469713|title=Midler tries on noir; New Line keys on prodigy|date=1998-04-14|work=Variety|access-date=2014-10-09}} in an attempt to lower the $165 million projected budget. In February 1999, with development taking longer than expected, Eichinger and Fox signed a deal with Marvel to extend the control of the film rights for another two years, with a summer 2001 release planned,{{cite news|author=Chris Petrikin|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/marvel-fox-pact-for-pix-1117491127/|title=Marvel, Fox pact for pix|work=Variety|date=1999-02-08|access-date=2014-10-09}} and hiring Raja Gosnell to direct.{{cite news|last=Petrikin|first=Chris|title=Under construction|work=Variety|date=1999-07-27|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/under-construction-1117744209/|access-date=2014-10-10}} However, Gosnell decided to do Scooby-Doo (2002) instead and dropped out in October 2000.{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Michael|url=https://variety.com/2000/voices/columns/wb-s-scooby-gets-live-action-greenlight-1117787833/|title=WB's 'Scooby' gets live-action greenlight|work=Variety|date=2000-10-17|access-date = 2014-10-10}}

In April 2001, Peyton Reed signed on to direct Fantastic Four,{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Dana|url=https://variety.com/2001/film/news/reed-takes-on-fox-s-fantastic-project-1117797796/|title=Reed takes on Fox's 'Fantastic' project|work=Variety|date=2001-04-25|access-date=2014-10-09}} and Mark Frost was brought on board for another rewrite. Reed departed the project in July 2003,{{cite magazine|last=Susman|first=Gary|title=Invisible Guy|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/07/30/down-loves-reed-wont-do-fantastic-four/|date=2003-07-30|access-date=2014-10-10|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016191852/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,471814,00.html|url-status=live}} explaining in 2015, "I developed it for the better part of a year with three different sets of writers. But it became clear after a while that Fox had a very different movie in mind and they were also chasing a release date ... so we ended up parting company."{{cite web | url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/post/124260231921/how-ant-man-director-peyton-reed-fell-out-with-fox | title= How Ant-Man Director Peyton Reed Fell Out With Fox Over Fantastic Four (Exclusive) | first= Orlando | last= Parfitt | date= July 16, 2015 | website = Yahoo! Movies UK | access-date= July 28, 2015 | archive-date= July 28, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150728201151/https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/post/124260231921/how-ant-man-director-peyton-reed-fell-out-with-fox | url-status= dead }} Reed's version was described as being influenced by A Hard Day's Night (1964).https://screenrant.com/fantastic-four-movies-canceled-not-happen-reasons-explained/ Reed would later reused his ideas for the film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023).https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/peyton-reed-fantastic-four-movie-became-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania/ Mads Mikkelsen auditioned for Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic,{{cite web |last=Jung |first=E. Alex |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/mads-mikkelsen-in-conversation.html |title=Mads Mikkelsen Takes Everything and Nothing Seriously |date=April 20, 2021 |website=The Vulture }} but Ioan Gruffudd was cast instead; he recalled his audition as "humiliating".{{cite news |last1=Lavigne |first1=Will |title=Mads Mikkelsen recalls "humiliating" audition for "Fantastic Four" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/mads-mikkelsen-recalls-humiliating-audition-for-fantastic-four-2927281 |website=NME |date=25 April 2021}} Andrew Walker auditioned for the role of Johnny Storm, which eventually went to Chris Evans.https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/764293/andrew-walker-fantastic-four/ Other actors joined the film; Jessica Alba as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm / The Thing (who was portrayed entirely through practical effects rather than CGI) and Julian McMahon as Dr. Victor Von Doom.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/peyton-reed-fantastic-four-paul-walker-charlize-theron-cast/|title=Peyton Reed's Fantastic Four Movie Could Have Had the WEIRDEST Cast|website=CBR|last=McCarrick|first=Michael|date=January 9, 2021|access-date=August 17, 2021}} Sean Astin was one of the candidates to direct the movie,{{cite web|url=https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/sean-astins-fantastic-four-starring-christina-aguilera/|title=Sean Astin's Fantastic Four Starring Christina Aguilera?|work=Fortress of Solitude|publisher=Fortress Entertainment|first=Sergio|last=Pereira|date=June 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725083448/https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/sean-astins-fantastic-four-starring-christina-aguilera/|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2019}} his reasoning for wanting to direct it, despite never having directed a feature before and not being familiar with the comics, was that he wanted to step up in filmmaking and felt that doing a Fantastic Four film would allow him to leave a mark. Despite not getting the job, Tom Rothman was impressed with his determination and hoped to work with him on a future project.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRwd2UFZMAA| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/fRwd2UFZMAA| archive-date=2021-11-13 | url-status=live|website=YouTube|title=Sean Astin Wanted to Direct a Fantastic Four Movie with Christina Aguilera|publisher=Collider Interviews|date=June 19, 2019|access-date=August 17, 2021}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |date=May 26, 2004 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Who Might be Mr. Fantastic? |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/26/exclusive-who-might-be-mr-fantastic}} Robert Downey Jr. was initially considered for the role of Doom;{{cite web |last=Milheim |first=Russ |url=https://thedirect.com/article/marvel-robert-downey-jr-doctor-doom |title=Marvel Had Meeting with Robert Downey Jr. For Doctor Doom Role |website=The Direct |date=October 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021024146/https://thedirect.com/article/marvel-robert-downey-jr-doctor-doom |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |url-status=live}} he would later be cast as the character in the MCU where he will appear in Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.{{cite news |last=Scharf |first=Zack |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/robert-downey-jr-victor-von-doom-avengers-doomsday-1236088170/ |title=Robert Downey Jr. Sets Marvel Return as Doctor Doom in 'Avengers: Doomsday' |work=Variety |date=July 27, 2024 |access-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728021303/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/robert-downey-jr-victor-von-doom-avengers-doomsday-1236088170/ |archive-date=July 28, 2024 |url-status=live}} Astin wanted to cast Christina Aguilera to portray Sue Storm.{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/sean-astin-fantastic-four-movie|title=Sean Astin nearly directed a Fantastic Four movie starring Christina Aguilera|publisher=Syfy|first=Josh|last=Weiss|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=August 30, 2023}}

Tim Story was signed to direct in April 2004, after Fox was impressed with his early cut of Taxi (2004) and him being a fan of the comics.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2004/film/news/fox-four-play-heats-up-1117902965/|title=Fox 'Four' play heats up|author=Claude Brodesser|work=Variety|date=April 7, 2004}}{{cite video|title=Heroes Are Born: Making the Fantastic Four|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox|year=2005}}{{cite magazine|author=Scott Brown|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/07/01/fantastic-four-has-incredible-trouble/|title=Fantastic Voyage|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=2005-07-01|access-date=2014-10-10|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016191609/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1078809,00.html|url-status=live}}https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jul-11-et-timstory11-story.html Simon Kinberg wrote uncredited drafts of the script.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/10/01/fox-moves-ahead-x-men-3/ |title=Fox moves ahead on X-Men 3 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=October 1, 2004 |first=Gary |last=Susman |access-date=September 9, 2015 |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909180706/http://www.ew.com/article/2004/10/01/fox-moves-ahead-x-men-3 |url-status=live }} After seeing The Incredibles (2004), Story decided to make significant script changes and add more special effects to avoid similarities.{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/scoop-stretching-end-fantastic-four_article_43221.html|title=SCOOP: Stretching the end of FANTASTIC FOUR|date=December 24, 2004|author=Patrick Sauriol|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706185802/http://www.mania.com/scoop-stretching-end-fantastic-four_article_43221.html|archive-date=July 6, 2008|df=mdy-all}}

Release

= Marketing =

The teaser trailer was shown at screenings of Elektra (2005), debuting on January 14, 2005.{{Cite web|url=https://www.superherohype.com/features/87629-fantastic-four-clips-in-elektra-spots|title=Fantastic Four Clips in Elektra Spots|publisher=Superhero Hype.com|date=2005-01-13|access-date=May 26, 2022}} A new trailer was released on May 19, 2005, in front of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005).{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/catch-the-fantastic-four-trailer-with-revenge-of-the-sith/|title=Catch The Fantastic Four trailer with Revenge of the Sith}} The American premiere of Fantastic Four was moved from July 1, 2005, to the week of July 8 to avoid competition with Steven Spielberg's motion picture War of the Worlds (2005), during its first week.{{cite book|last=Lichtenfeld|first=Eric|title=Action Speaks Louder|page=241|year=2007|publisher=Wesleyan University Press|location=Middletown, Connecticut|isbn=978-0-8195-6801-4}} Fantastic Four opened in 3,602 movie theaters in the United States, and increased to 3,619 theaters in the following week.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekly&id=fantasticfour.htm|title=Fantastic Four (2005) - Weekly Box Office|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 22, 2011}}

=Box office=

Fantastic Four finished at the top position at the box office with $56.1 million from 3,602 cinemas over its first weekend.{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Gabriel |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/box-office/four-play-heats-up-summer-1117925670/ |title='Four' play heats up summer – Variety |publisher=Variety.com |date=2005-07-10 |access-date=2019-10-14}} By the end of 2005, Fantastic Four had accumulated a gross income of $330.6 million, with $154.7 million of this coming in the United States. It was the highest-grossing superhero movie by an African-American director until Ryan Coogler's Black Panther (2018).{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fantasticfour.htm |title=Fantastic Four |website= Box Office Mojo |access-date=2011-04-20}}

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, Fantastic Four has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "Marred by goofy attempts at wit, subpar acting, and bland storytelling, Fantastic Four is a mediocre attempt to bring Marvel's oldest hero team to the big screen."{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=fantastic_four |title=Fantastic Four |type=movie |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}

On Metacritic, the film has a score of 40 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.{{cite Metacritic |id=fantastic-four |title= Fantastic Four |type=movie |access-date=May 10, 2022 }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fantastic-four-gets-worst-cinemascore-814137 |title='Fantastic Four' Gets Worst CinemaScore Ever for Studio Superhero Movie |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=August 9, 2015 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 10, 2022}}

Stephen Hunter of The Washington Post noted that it was "a movie more based on character than plot" and "mostly an origins tale". He called it "a funky, fun film version of the famous Marvel superhero[s]" but was critical of the last twenty minutes.{{cite news| last=Hunter | first=Stephen | title='Fantastic': The Powers To Charm | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2005-07-08 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/07/AR2005070702097.html | access-date=2019-10-14}} Joe Leydon of Variety called the film "unpretentious" but also "wildly uneven".{{cite news |last=Leydon |first=Joe |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/awards/fantastic-four-2-1200524686/ |title=Film Review: Fantastic Four |work=Variety |date=2005-07-05 |access-date=2019-10-14}}

James Berardinelli of ReelViews, having been a fan of the comics, found the film disappointing writing, "This movie is more like a B-grade comic book adaptation than the A-list production it should have been." Berardinelli praised Chiklis for a standout performance despite being buried in makeup, summarizing: Fantastic Four has its good points—there are individual scenes that work" and said there are "moments of surprise and excitement ... but the tempo's off, beats are missed, and the production ends up sounding out-of-tune."{{cite web| title=Review: Fantastic Four | website=movie-reviews.colossus.net | url=http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/f/fantastic_four.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050710011432/http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/f/fantastic_four.html | archive-date=2005-07-10 | url-status=dead | access-date=2019-10-14}} Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman described the film as "like something left over from the '60s" and compared it unfavorably to other contemporary films such as Spider-Man 2, Batman Begins, and The Incredibles.{{cite web|first=Owen |last=Gleiberman | title=Fantastic Four | website=Entertainment Weekly | date=2005-07-09 | url=https://ew.com/ew/article/review/movie/0,6115,1080048_1_0_,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050709003133/https://ew.com/ew/article/review/movie/0,6115,1080048_1_0_,00.html | archive-date=2005-07-09 | url-status=unfit | access-date=2019-10-14}}

The film has since earned a positive reevaluation after the failure of the 2015 reboot film.{{cite web|url= https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/an-ode-to-2005-sue-storm |title=An Ode to 2005 Sue Storm|date=July 8, 2020|website=Syfy|last=Century|first=Sara|access-date=June 13, 2021}}{{cite web|url= https://screenrant.com/fantastic-4-reboot-brutal-memes/|title=Fantastic 4 Reboot: 10 Most Brutal Memes About The Film|date=June 22, 2020|website=Screenrant|last=Silva|first=Gabriela|access-date=June 13, 2021}}{{cite web|url= https://www.salon.com/2017/09/17/rotten-tomatoes-movies-wrong/|title=26 films Rotten Tomatoes got 100 percent wrong|date=September 17, 2017|website=Salon|last=Rozsa|first=Matthew|access-date=October 14, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/fantastic-four-original-films-actually-aged-well/|title=10 Ways The Original Fantastic Four Films Actually Aged Well|date=February 25, 2022|website=Screen Rant|last=Iacobucci|first=Jordan|access-date=May 31, 2022}}

=Accolades=

At the Saturn Awards, Fantastic Four was nominated for Best Science Fiction Film, but lost the trophy to Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005).{{cite web|title=The 2006 Saturn Awards Nominations – The Movie Blog|url=http://www.themovieblog.com/2006/02/the-2006-saturn-awards-nominations/|website=The Movie Blog |date=February 17, 2006| url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170318002432/http://www.themovieblog.com/2006/02/the-2006-saturn-awards-nominations/ | archive-date = 2017-03-18 |access-date= 17 December 2018 }} It was given two nominations at the 2006 MTV Movie Awards including Best Hero for Jessica Alba (she lost to Christian Bale for Batman Begins) and Best On-Screen Team for Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans and Ioan Gruffudd (they lost to Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson for Wedding Crashers). Alba was nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Actress for her performances in both this film and Into the Blue, but lost to Jenny McCarthy for Dirty Love.{{cite web |url=http://www.razzies.com/history/05pr.asp |title=26th Annual Razzie Awards Press Release | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060203043451/http://www.razzies.com/history/05pr.asp | archive-date = 2006-02-03 }} The film won the Stinker Award for Worst Screenplay for a Film Grossing Over $100M.{{cite web |title=2005 Stinkers Awards Announced |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/2005-stinker-awards-announced/ |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=23 September 2019}}

Home media

The main version of Fantastic Four on VHS and DVD was released in December 2005. This version had some changes from the one shown in cinemas. Some of these changes included the following:

There is a scene where Reed and Susan are in a storage room of the Baxter Building. On one of the shelves is a robot that is supposed to be H.E.R.B.I.E. from the Fantastic Four animated cartoon series from 1978.
The biggest change is of the scene with Jessica Alba and Ioan Gruffudd's characters looking toward the Statue of Liberty. Similar lines are used in the DVD version, but the version on DVD replaces that with the pair in the planetarium, where they discuss their feelings for each other. Instead of Reed forming a square jaw, as he does in the theatrical version, he makes his skin look like that of Wolverine from the X-Men comics. Actor Gruffudd breaks the fourth wall and looks directly at the camera as he does this. This scene was created in hopes to create a shared cinematic universe between this film, Fox's X-Men and Sony's Spider-Man. Wolverine was also set to appear in a cameo in Spider-Man 2. The extended cut includes this as part of the movie, along with a longer version of the scene in the planetarium.

The movie was also released on VHS the same day. It was later released on Blu-ray on November 14, 2006.{{cite web |title=Fantastic Four Blu-ray review |url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/205/fantasticfour.html |website=HighDefDigest.com |date=November 13, 2006 |access-date=December 2, 2019}}

=Extended cut=

In June 2007, an extended cut DVD of Fantastic Four was released. It incorporated about 20 minutes of deleted scenes, and also included a preview of the sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. The DVD expanded on The Thing's relationships with Alicia Masters, Doom's scheming to break up the group, and the Human Torch's womanizing backfiring on him.{{cite web | url= http://movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=4021 | title=Fantastic Four (Comparison: US Theatrical Version - Extended Version) | publisher= Movie-Censorship.com | access-date=April 24, 2012}}

Film novelization

Fantastic Four received a novelization written by popular Marvel Comics writer Peter David, which included several scenes not present in the movie.{{cite book|last=David|first=Peter|title=Fantastic Four|publisher= Pocket Books|year= 2005|isbn= 1-416-51695-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUlx3hFyH_MC}}

Soundtrack

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = IGN

| rev1score = 6.9/10{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/07/fantastic-four-the-album |title=Fantastic Four -The Album |website=IGN |date=July 7, 2005 |author=Spence D. |access-date=April 17, 2013}}

| rev2 = Allmusic

| rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fantastic-four-original-soundtrack-mw0000342931 |title=Fantastic Four [Original Soundtrack] |work=Allmusic |first=Johnny |last=Loftus |access-date=April 17, 2013}}

}}

Fantastic 4: The Album is the official soundtrack to the movie Fantastic Four. The soundtrack features two supergroups that were formed specifically for the album: Loser (former Marilyn Manson guitarist/writer John 5) and T.F.F. (featuring Brody Dalle of The Distillers, Chris Cester of Jet, Nick Zinner of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Dolf de Datsun of the Datsuns).{{cite web|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/soundtracks/news/article_8515.php/Fantastic_Four_The_Album_Details |title=Fantastic Four: The Album Details |work=Monsters and Critics |date=2005-06-07 |access-date=2011-04-20 |first=Mark |last=Sung |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722011408/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/soundtracks/news/article_8515.php/Fantastic_Four_The_Album_Details |archive-date=2012-07-22 }}{{cite AV media notes|title= Fantastic 4: The Album |year= 2005 |type= booklet |publisher= Wind-up}}

{{track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Come On, Come In

| note1 = Velvet Revolver

| writer1 = {{hlist|Scott Weiland|Slash|Duff McKagan|Matt Sorum|Dave Kushner}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Doug Grean|Nick Raskulinecz|Velvet Revolver}}

| length1 = 3:58

| title2 = Error Operator

| note2 = Taking Back Sunday

| writer2 = Taking Back Sunday

| extra2 = Ariel Rechtshaid

| length2 = 3:09

| title3 = Relax

| note3 = Chingy

| writer3 = {{hlist|Howard Bailey|Kwamé B. Holland}}

| extra3 = K1 Mil

| length3 = 3:31

| title4 = What Ever Happened to the Heroes

| note4 = Joss Stone

| writer4 = {{hlist|Alecia Moore|Billy Mann|Christopher Rojas}}

| extra4 = Beau Dozier

| length4 = 3:56

| title5 = Waiting (Save Your Life)

| note5 = Omnisoul

| writer5 = Derek A.E. Fuhrmann

| extra5 = Gregg Wattenberg

| length5 = 4:02

| title6 = Always Come Back to You

| note6 = Ryan Cabrera

| writer6 = {{hlist|Ryan Cabrera|Guy Chambers}}

| extra6 = Guy Chambers

| length6 = 3:33

| title7 = Everything Burns

| note7 = Ben Moody featuring Anastacia

| writer7 = Ben Moody

| extra7 = {{hlist|Ben Moody|Jay Baumgardner}}

| length7 = 3:41

| title8 = New World Symphony

| note8 = Miri Ben-Ari featuring Pharoahe Monch

| writer8 = {{hlist|Miri Ben-Ari|Kanye West|Troy Jamerson}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Miri Ben-Ari|Kanye West}}

| length8 = 4:01

| title9 = Die for You (Fantastic Four Mix)

| note9 = Megan McCauley

| writer9 = {{hlist|Megan McCauley|Bob Marlette}}

| extra9 = Bob Marlette

| length9 = 3:49

| title10 = Noots

| note10 = Sum 41

| writer10 = {{hlist|Deryck Whibley|Greig Nori}}

| extra10 = Greig Nori

| length10 = 3:49

| title11 = Surrender

| note11 = Simple Plan

| writer11 = Rick Nielsen

| extra11 = Simple Plan

| length11 = 2:58

| title12 = I'll Take You Down

| note12 = T.F.F

| writer12 = {{hlist|Brody Dalle|Josh Deutsch|Andrew Wyatt}}

| extra12 = Josh Deutsch

| length12 = 2:50

| title13 = On Fire

| note13 = Lloyd Banks

| writer13 = {{hlist|Holland|Christopher Lloyd|Curtis Jackson|Harry Palmer|Marshall Mathers|Luis Resto}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|K1 Mil|Eminem {{small|(co.)}}|Luis Resto {{small|(add.)}}}}

| length13 = 3:07

| title14 = Reverie

| note14 = Megan McCauley

| writer14 = {{hlist|McCauley|Will Baker|Pete Woodruff}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|Will Baker|Pete Woodruff}}

| length14 = 3:55

| title15 = Goodbye to You

| note15 = Breaking Point

| writer15 = {{hlist|Justin Rimer|Brett Erikson|Ben Schigel}}

| extra15 = Ben Schigel

| length15 = 3:51

| title16 = Shed My Skin

| note16 = Alter Bridge

| writer16 = Mark Tremonti

| extra16 = {{hlist|Ben Grosse|Alter Bridge {{small|(co.)}}}}

| length16 = 5:08

| title17 = In Due Time

| note17 = Submersed

| writer17 = {{hlist|Donald Carpenter|TJ Davis|Eric Friedman|Kelan Luker|Don Gilmore}}

| extra17 = Don Gilmore

| length17 = 4:04

| title18 = Disposable Sunshine

| note18 = Loser

| writer18 = {{hlist|John 5|Joe Grah|Marlette}}

| extra18 = Bob Marlette

| length18 = 3:27

| title19 = Now You Know

| note19 = Miss Eighty 6 featuring Classic

| writer19 = {{hlist|Ali Theodore|Zach Danziger|Sarai Howard}}

| extra19 = {{hlist|Ali Dee|Zach Danziger}}

| length19 = 3:03

| title20 = Kirikirimai (Fantastic Four Remix)

| note20 = Orange Range

| writer20 = Orange Range

| extra20 = Josh Deutsch

| length20 = 3:14

}}

An album of John Ottman's score was released by Varèse Sarabande on July 12, 2005.

Additionally, Gabin's song "Bang Bang to the Rock n' Roll" was featured in the film, but not used on the soundtrack.

Future

=Sequel=

A sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, was released on {{nowrap|June 15}}, 2007, with director Tim Story and the cast returning to the fold. The film had a slightly improved critical reception but lower financial gross than its predecessor.

=2015 reboot=

When plans for a third film fell through, 20th Century Fox rebooted the series with 2015's Fantastic Four. The film experienced a worse critical reception than the original films and failed at the box office, leading to the cancellation of a sequel planned for a 2017 release.

=Marvel Cinematic Universe=

In 2019, after Disney successfully acquired Fox, the film rights of the Fantastic Four were reverted to Marvel Studios, with plans to integrate the characters, along with the X-Men and Deadpool, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Jon Watts was originally attached to direct, but later stepped down after expressing his desire to take a "break" from superhero films.{{Cite web |last=Chanliau |first=Pierre |date=2022-04-29 |title=Why Spider-Man's Jon Watts Is No Longer Rebooting Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four |url=https://thedirect.com/article/marvel-studios-fantastic-four-reboot |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=The Direct |language=en}} The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 25, 2025, as the second film of Phase Six of the MCU. The cast includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm.{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2024-02-14 |title=The Fantastic Four Forms with Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/fantastic-four-cast-pedro-pascal-vanessa-kirby-marvel-movie-1235825543/ |website=Deadline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403212048/https://deadline.com/2024/02/fantastic-four-cast-pedro-pascal-vanessa-kirby-marvel-movie-1235825543/ |archive-date=April 3, 2024 |url-status=live}}

An alternate universe version of Reed Richards portrayed by John Krasinski appears in the MCU film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).

Chris Evans reprised his role as Johnny Storm in the MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).{{cite news |date=July 24, 2024 |title=The 6 most mind-blowing cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine |last=Darney |first=Caroline |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/deadpool-and-wolverine-cameos-mcu-spoilers |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=For the Win |language=en-US}}

References

External links

{{Official website|https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/fantastic-four}}
{{IMDb title|0120667|Fantastic Four}}
{{ISFDB title|id=942329|title=Fantastic 4}}
[http://marvel.com/movies/movie/14/fantastic_four Fantastic Four] on Marvel.com

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