In 2005, when the general obsession with superhero films was just beginning, 20th Century Fox released the blockbuster Fantastic Four on the big screens. Two years later, the producers of the project tried to open a franchise of the same name, but the film “Fantastic Four: Silver Surfer” was not very successful. What went wrong in the second part of the film? And why was the project closed?
The creators of the picture
The director of the superhero action movie Fantastic Four: The Silver Surfer was Tim Storey. He filmed the first part of the dilogy. Prior to filming the comic books about superheroes, Storey made only two unsuccessful films and worked for several years on the set of the CSI: Miami series. Perhaps, precisely because of the lack of proper experience, the director was unable to implement the project as successfully as, for example, the X-Men or Avengers were implemented.
The producer of the film "Silver Surfer" was made by Avi Arad - a true master of the superhero genre. Under his experienced guidance, the big screens featured the hit films Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Thor. However, this did not save the franchise about the fantastic four: at the box office, the second part of the film raised only $ 289 million at a cost of 150 million.
The plot of Fantastic Four-2 revolves around the fight of the Silver Surfer humanoid with Mr. Fantastic and his team. On every planet where a mysterious surfer appears on a silver board, after 8 days the world ends. To defeat the enemy, Reed, Susan, Johnny and Ben have to team up with sworn enemy Viktor von Doom. In the finale, superheroes, of course, manage to save the world and eliminate all threats.
Fantastic Four: The Silver Surfer: actors and roles. Ioan Griffith as Mr. Fantastic
Mr. Fantastic is a character who, due to radiation, has gained the ability to stretch parts of his body to unprecedented sizes. In addition, the character of Joan Griffith is highly intelligent, is an undeniable leader and a talented scientist.
According to the plot, Mr. Fantastic has a stormy romance with the Invisible Lady. In the finale of the second part, the relations of the characters nevertheless develop into something more: they get married. However, the history of the development of their relationship did not impress the audience. In general, the audience considered that not a single hero of the Fantastic Four had undergone any serious internal formation: all the relationships and problems were indicated by the scriptwriters very schematically. We can assume that this was the reason for the failure of the Fantastic Four-2.
The Welsh actor Joan Griffith, who played Mr. Fantastic, began his career in Hollywood with the role of Harold Lowe in the drama Titanic. Griffith can also be seen in the projects "102 Dalmatians", "King Arthur" and "Wilde."
Fantastic Four: The Silver Surfer: Photo by actress Jessica Alba. Invisible Lady Character Biography
Under the superhero pseudonym Invisible Lady is actually hiding a young woman, Susan Storm. Susan is a researcher who has been working with Reed Richards for many years . Once Susan, Reid, Johnny, Ben and Victor von Doom set off on a space journey, from which they are already returning with supernormal abilities.
However, Victor, unlike other employees of the scientific expedition, turns into an antihero. In the second part of the blockbuster Fantastic Four: The Silver Surfer, these characters unite in the face of a new threat. However, in the process it turns out that there is a certain creature Galactus behind the Surfer, against whom all his forces and skills must be used.
Jessica Alba, to whom 20th Century Fox was assigned the role of the Invisible Lady, quite organically looked in this role. Jessica is widely known to the public, thanks to her outstanding appearance. However, on her account there are not so many good films.
Chris Evans as the Human Torch
Chris Evans played in the action movie Fantastic Four: The Silver Surfer by Torch Man. His character is charming, is a favorite of ladies. And he could glorify Evans, but the actor is known for his role as a completely different superhero - Captain America from The Avengers.
After the closure of the Fantastic Four franchise, Evans acted for some time in faded, inconspicuous projects. In 2010, he successfully passed the screenings in the action movie "First Avenger" and got a role in every sense of the positive Captain America. At the moment, Evans has a shooting schedule scheduled until 2018.
Other role performers
In the action movie Fantastic Four: The Silver Surfer, actors Michael Chiklis and Julian McMahon also played central characters.
Chiklis appeared before the public in the image of Ben Grimm, an ugly, but extremely kind creature. And Julian McMahon, star of the TV series Enchanted and Parts of the Body, got the role of the villain Victor von Doom.
General Hager, a mediator between superheroes and the US government, was played by actor Andre Brower. Brower mainly works on television. The most famous role of the performer is the role of detective Pambleton in the project “Slaughter department”.
Two people worked on the image of the Silver Surfer at once: the physical shell was recreated by Doug Jones (Labyrinth of the Faun), and the voice was given to the character by Lawrence Fishbourne (The Matrix).
Public reaction
Superhero film "Fantastic Four: The Silver Surfer" received mixed reviews. Critics bombed the project to the nines. Only 37% of world reviews were positive. Among the shortcomings note the "refined", rather conditional game of the actors. Actually, one should not have expected another. Almost none of the project participants is distinguished by a rich and successful filmography.
Viewers greeted the film more favorably. And even 268 million dollars were earned at the box office. However, expensive special effects and the pretty face of Jessica Alba saved the situation here.
In general, the project is in the spirit of comics. The genre does not imply the voicing of any deep thoughts. Therefore, once you can watch the action movie "Fantastic Four-2" to pass the free evening and appreciate the scale of special effects.