IESB is reporting that the Fantastic Four franchise, which to date has grossed over $620 million worldwide, is set to get a reboot over at Fox Studios. That means NONE of the original cast is returning, nor is Tim Story, who helmed the previous FF films. So no Alba, no Chiklis, and especially no Julian McMahon as Dr. Doom. They want the franchise to go a slightly darker route, but less like The Dark Knight and more like Iron Man.
The first two FF films were disasters in my book, but there's no denying that they made some serious cash. I think they are taking this in the wrong direction if they try to go too gritty, as it doesn't really fit the FF dynamic, which is lighter, more sci-fi in tone. Where they screwed up is in that their villains were awful. Julian McMahon was horrible as Dr. Doom, but what's worse is that they rendered Doom utterly unrecognizable. His plans should have been simpler and more focused. I also think they're making a mistake ditching the actors playing the FF, who for the most part were decent. Only ol' Daddio himself, Michael Chiklis, truly excelled as The Thing. Why get rid of him? He was arguably the one thing that got any sort of critical acclaim whatsoever, other than the computer generated Silver Surfer.
