Superhero movies are set to get a swift kick in the rear when Chronicle opens next month. Written by Max Landis and directed by newcomer Joshua Trank, the film is a departure from what we've seen so far, focusing on three high school friends who lose control after gaining miraculous superpowers. Fox has shown a lot of confidence in the film so far, putting a good deal of marketing muscle behind it. Certainly more than you usually see out of anyone's directorial debut. In fact, the studio likes what Trank is doing so much that they may want him for another high profile comic book project.
While Marvel owns the rights free and clear to movies based on The Avengers, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor, it's easy to forget that other studios control some of their other A-list heroes. Fox has the rights to Daredevil, the X-men, and the Fantastic Four, with movies from all three reaching different levels of success. The most recent Fantastic Four film was only five years ago, but after two moneymaking but lackluster efforts, Fox recently began putting together plans for a relaunch. Now Variety reports they may be looking at Trank to be behind the camera.
First begun back in 2009, the relaunch once had superstar producer Akiva Goldsman aboard, but now he appears to no longer be involved. In a move that's not going to win anybody over, Michael Green(Green Lantern) has been working on the script and a final draft is on the way. There have already been a number of rumors about who could star, with names like Adrien Brody, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Bruce Willis, Amber Heard, and more mentioned.
Tim Story directed the original films, which earned well over $600M total but nobody seemed to give a crap about them. That's despite featuring future Captain America, Chris Evans, and Jessica Alba. You'll notice nobody has exactly been in an uproar about a relaunch taking place so soon. People were going ape shit over Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man, and last I checked everybody thought Spider-Man 3 was terrible.
Marvel should really be worried about the lack of concern from fans, because an enthusiasm gap is something the Fantastic Four has suffered from for more than twenty years. They have a dated, corny premise, so it's really hard to make them cool. Perhaps the best way would be to embrace who the Fantastic Four are, and maybe take on an X-men: First Class model? Set the film in the 1970s or something?
A decision won't be made on hiring Trank until after Chronicle opens because clearly Fox wants to see how it performs. I think they'd be smart to give the new kid a shot and inject some new blood in this boring franchise.
