AICN Interview w/ Ioan Gruffudd ("Galactus: A No-Show?")

[Lightning Strykez!]

I was really hoping for an epic cliff hanger .

I was too.

I hope this is not an indication of the studio's faith in the franchise to continue past this sequel...but I guess sales will determine that ultimately. But yeah...I was hoping for a Doom rising to power in Latveria at the conclusion....

 

[GoblinScrier]

Well if Galactus is no longer going to be a physical presence in the movie/nor at the end, then I think Doom should have a major focus for a conclusion. A rise to Latveria would be ideal....

 

[Mercurius]

Hello, everyone.

No Galactus, physically speaking? So I suppose there is a small problem concerning SS as his herald.

If Galactus is just a "presence", how is it gonna be? A voice, a shadow, etc?

I think the idea of a cliffhanger (like the Joker in BB) would be the best one; I mean, we could see the giant Galactus arriving with a horrible alien sound (something like the tripods in War of the Worlds) at the top of a huge building, and his engines coming with him.

That would be nice. But a "presence"?

 

[Visionary]

Based on this info, how are they going to do the spin-off, will a Surfer movie be made after FF2 or after FF3. Are they going to allow Galactus to be seen in the Surfer's film or FF's?

 

[Visionary]

edit

 

[Dragon]

Stupid, but not surprising. How can they not have Galactus? That's the whole point. The Surfer just surveying the Earth isn't the important part of the story. And the surfer's dramatic change is only significant if he makes the change in face of the wrath of his master.

I knew they'd f- it up again.

 

[GhostPoet]

I think most people already knew Galactus wouldn't be in it...they just had that faint glimmer of hope.

But honestly...i'm kind of glad he isn't in it. It would crowd the film. We've already got the Surfer and Doctor Doom. A THIRD character would just shove the FF out of the spotlight more and we'd lose a lot of great character interaction. Save him for a 3rd film or not at all.

The first half of the film will be The Surfer and why he has come to earth with the FF against him. The 2nd half will be the Surfer losing his powers to Doom and the Surfer, now powerless will come to appreciate humans and change his ways and convince Galactus not to come.



The 2nd option (which is possible if they want to use galactus for a 3rd film) is that the film will end with the Surfer telling the FF that he will go to Galactus and convince him that earth isn't worth it...then in the 3rd we will find out that he was unable to convince Galactus and then we see him.

But I would wager the first idea will happen instead. Which is fine.

 

[Dragon]

I think most people already knew Galactus wouldn't be in it...they just had that faint glimmer of hope.

But honestly...i'm kind of glad he isn't in it. It would crowd the film. We've already got the Surfer and Doctor Doom. A THIRD character would just shove the FF out of the spotlight more and we'd lose a lot of great character interaction. Save him for a 3rd film or not at all.

The first half of the film will be The Surfer and why he has come to earth with the FF against him. The 2nd half will be the Surfer losing his powers to Doom and the Surfer, now powerless will come to appreciate humans and change his ways and convince Galactus not to come.



The 2nd option (which is possible if they want to use galactus for a 3rd film) is that the film will end with the Surfer telling the FF that he will go to Galactus and convince him that earth isn't worth it...then in the 3rd we will find out that he was unable to convince Galactus and then we see him.

But I would wager the first idea will happen instead. Which is fine.

Too crowded with galactus? Well, there's another option- NOT HAVE DOOM.
He was in the last film, and not a very interesting villain to begin with. Better to save him for another where, letting there be some distance between him and the audience, and giving him time to build into a better villain.

And if anything- it's more unrealistic that Doom would be able to steal the power of an advanced, nearly god-like being than an even more advanced, more powerful being would arrive to destroy the Earth. When Doom stole the Surfer's powers in the comics it worked because the Surfer had, after regaining his humanity reverted to a somewhat naive child-like state. Not the case in this movie.

As for Galactus, audiences have bought into the alien bringing armageddon with such blockbusters as Independence Day and War of the Worlds. Yet the difference being that instead of an alien race you had one omnipotent force.

 

[GoblinScrier]

I wonder if this movie will be 90 mins or 120 plus based on the general ideas presented in the plot...my concern for Doom is that we may not even see him at all until the second half of the movie...he takes over the Surfer's powers, then he gets beat and that is it...suddenly this chill is slowly starting to take me over...I don't want a repeat of last time..Fox, don't screw this up...you are taking my favorite team, my favorite villain of all time, and one of the best cosmic characters ever in your hands...please don't make me cry on opening night...I liked the first one a lot (despite Doom's differences), but I have created something in my head that I hope the movie can live up to....

 

[GoblinScrier]

Too crowded with galactus? Well, there's another option- NOT HAVE DOOM.
He was in the last film, and not a very interesting villain to begin with. Better to save him for another where, letting there be some distance between him and the audience, and giving him time to build into a better villain.

And if anything- it's more unrealistic that Doom would be able to steal the power of an advanced, nearly god-like being than an even more advanced, more powerful being would arrive to destroy the Earth. When Doom stole the Surfer's powers in the comics it worked because the Surfer had, after regaining his humanity reverted to a somewhat naive child-like state. Not the case in this movie.

As for Galactus, audiences have bought into the alien bringing armageddon with such blockbusters as Independence Day and War of the Worlds. Yet the difference being that instead of an alien race you had one omnipotent force.

Don't have Doom? That would be just an abomination...a chance to improve Doom to be the comic threat he should have been in the first place. Doom taking on the power cosmic...imagine the control he will have and Latveria at his command..Doom must be in this movie...at all cost!!!

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Agreed GhostPoet. I'm not exactly heartbroken about this--because now all the Ultimate Galactus vs. 616 Galactus discussion can stop for now.

Although I was slightly curious to see how they would do him

But without Galactus, this film has PLENTY to do, especially with the FF "chasing the Silver Surfer from America, to London, to Shanghai and beyond."

 

[Dragon]

But without Galactus, this film has PLENTY to do, especially with the FF "chasing the Silver Surfer from America, to London, to Shanghai and beyond."

Okay.. And what are they chasing him for? Why is the Surfer running?

 

[Dragon]

Don't have Doom? That would be just an abomination...a chance to improve Doom to be the comic threat he should have been in the first place. Doom taking on the power cosmic...imagine the control he will have and Latveria at his command..Doom must be in this movie...at all cost!!!

But.. considering that they dropped the ball the first time with Doom, who's to say they'll get him right this time?

Again- I'm already wary of their explanation as to how Doom will be able to take and control the Surfer's powers.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Stupid, but not surprising. How can they not have Galactus? That's the whole point. The Surfer just surveying the Earth isn't the important part of the story. And the surfer's dramatic change is only significant if he makes the change in face of the wrath of his master.

I knew they'd f- it up again.

But Dragon, you really think they can sum all of that up in 2 hours or less? I dunno. The film seems packed as it is...that's why I was all for a cliffhanger featuring Norrin returning to Galactus and leaving us to wonder as audience members how he'd fair with convincing his master.

But...this is a close-ended film Ioan says, which means basically all the ends will be sewn up. Which is bad, because it hints at FOX's preparation for finality in case the film bombs...

However, I do agree with this:

And the surfer's dramatic change is only significant if he makes the change in face of the wrath of his master.

Very true. However I knew they weren't concerned with making any real emotional impact when they substituted Susan for Alicia's interraction with the Surfer. When I read that, I said "Okay, they're going for another popcorn movie".

So I already stopped holding my breath for any metaphoric brilliance with this one (I hope I'm wrong though, but I doubt it).

 

[HoratioRome]

This does not sound very good.

WHY WHY WHY must they change things?

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Okay.. And what are they chasing him for? Why is the Surfer running?

According to what I've read, Norrin has been flying around the earth to strategic places and creating gigantic, canyon-like silver-colored craters. The Military and governments of course want to know what's going on; hence their enlisting of the FF to track Surfer down and figure out what his mission is.

 

[Dragon]

But Dragon, you really think they can sum all of that up in 2 hours or less? I dunno. The film seems packed as it is...that's why I was all for a cliffhanger featuring Norrin returning to Galactus and leaving us to wonder as audience members how he'd fair with convincing his master.

But...this is a close-ended film Ioan says, which means basically all the ends will be sewn up. Which is bad, because it hints at FOX's preparation for finality in case the film bombs...

However, I do agree with this:



Very true. However I knew they weren't concerned with making any real emotional impact when they substituted Susan for Alicia's interraction with the Surfer. When I read that, I said "Okay, they're going for another popcorn movie".

So I already stopped holding my breath for any metaphoric brilliance with this one (I hope I'm wrong though, but I doubt it).

The thing is- in structuring the story- I believe they should have started with Galactus- and worked back. The FF trying to stop armageddon. The FF vs. God. Then make the Surfer the scales of balance.

Granted-
I don't think any of this should have been happening in the second film. As Goblin Scrier mentioned, I'd have liked to see Doom redeemed. But they could have done that without involving the Surfer. If anything, I honestly think it takes away from doom, simply because I would want to see Doom take the FF to task purely on his own steam.

 

[Dragon]

According to what I've read, Norrin has been flying around the earth to strategic places and creating gigantic, canyon-like silver-colored craters. The Military and governments of course want to know what's going on; hence their enlisting of the FF to track Surfer down and figure out what his mission is.

Really? Yikes

 

[HoratioRome]

But Dragon, you really think they can sum all of that up in 2 hours or less? I dunno. The film seems packed as it is...that's why I was all for a cliffhanger featuring Norrin returning to Galactus and leaving us to wonder as audience members how he'd fair with convincing his master.

actually Lightning I do think so. I do think they could have told the Galactus story in a movie. That's the story that should have been told and as epic as it is, it could have been done very easily in the spand of 2 hours. THEY are the ones who decided to stick Doom in and "pack " the film with extra stuff. Having said that, I would not have been opposed to the scenario you presented where Galactus basically makes his appearance at the end of the film, setting up the perfect cliff hanger. but as to whether you can do a film about Galactus in 2 hours, the answer is yes. they could have.

But...this is a close-ended film Ioan says, which means basically all the ends will be sewn up. Which is bad, because it hints at FOX's preparation for finality in case the film bombs...

However, I do agree with this:



Very true. However I knew they weren't concerned with making any real emotional impact when they substituted Susan for Alicia's interraction with the Surfer. When I read that, I said "Okay, they're going for another popcorn movie".

So I already stopped holding my breath for any metaphoric brilliance with this one (I hope I'm wrong though, but I doubt it).

They've basically ruined this movie in my book. Other than the fact that SS looks great, everything else I see spells disaster.
from the trailer the film looks light and somewhat cheesy.
The costumes could not have been altered to have the 4 on the center chest (a little thing which would make a nice difference)
they couldn't bother with the Thing's brow
There seems to be no change in Doom (from the toy pics)
SS gets close to SUE not Alicia
there is no Galactus
that means the story we are all familiar with cannot and will not be told.

it's just crap.

as of now, count me out from seeing this film in the theatre.
Fox/Arad/Story can all go to hell.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Really? Yikes

You hadn't heard?

That's the premise. It's the whole reason why they're bringing the Fantasticar into this one--they are going to be doing some serious globe-trotting. That's why I say this film is packed out as it is.

 

[HoratioRome]

The thing is- in structuring the story- I believe they should have started with Galactus- and worked back. The FF trying to stop armageddon. The FF vs. God. Then make the Surfer the scales of balance.

Granted-
I don't think any of this should have been happening in the second film. As Goblin Scrier mentioned, I'd have liked to see Doom redeemed. But they could have done that without involving the Surfer. If anything, I honestly think it takes away from doom, simply because I would want to see Doom take the FF to task purely on his own steam.

you're right. It takes away from Doom AND Silver surfer. Not to mention the FF themselves.
without the FF vs God element you lose the power and the majesty of the story. Not to mention the significance of the FF. though there could have been a 3rd film which featured Doom where Doom used the SS's power to become powerfull that is not the same thing as what seems to be happening here.
Putting that story while introducing the surfer takes away from him. Who is the bigger threat?

aargh this makes me so mad.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Was Galactus in the animated treatment of this saga? I don't think he was; I think Doom stole Norrin's power and the story basically revolved around that.

But my question is: If Victor has been unconcious for the entirety of the 2 years (between films) what resources would he possibly have to steal Norrin's power? If he's just "waking up" in this film, he'll have no lab, castle or henchmen at his disposal already, will he? The only thing he could possibly do is very lame: Use his "Marco-Polo" powers to suck the electricity out of the air and Norrin (who'd be in the air) and again...that'd be mighty lame.

There are a lot of questions to be answered here. I'm not writing off anything just yet...I must wait and see for as long as I can.

 

[Saint]

No Galactus in this film and potentially no Galactus in the next one either? Wow, that is really, really stupid.

 

[zer00]

Great interview. Made me more excited for the film.

Just use Doug's voice

 

[Doctor of Doom]

I think the idea of a cliffhanger (like the Joker in BB) would be the best one; I mean, we could see the giant Galactus arriving with a horrible alien sound (something like the tripods in War of the Worlds) at the top of a huge building, and his engines coming with him.

Well that's a lotta difference. In BB, the "cliffhanger" wasn't a cliffhanger per se, it's more a set-up for movie 2. Movie 2 could take place months later. In the situation you describe, it's a lot more PotC2 cliffhanger- you HAVE to see the next one NOW as a direct continuation, etc.

On the one hand I'm sorry we don't see the Big G.

On the other, they can't screw him up and this means a fight with DOOOOOOOOM as the climax instead of Galactus.

Honestly? I would much rather have had 2 been them fighting someone else and in the background, build up Doom's return and have him take Latveria. Then have the Surfer come and Doom steal his power in 3. Much like they didn't make Harry the Goblin straight away in 2.

As it is, I'm worried that either 2 will be Doom's last appearance- in which case he certainly won't have been given his due... .or else that he'll be back with a similar cliché appearance in 3. This makes him too comical and cartoonish in my opinion- if he jsut KEEPS losing and KEEPS coming back. Yes, yes the comic version does it but there's a reason they don't have Spidey fight Norman Osborn in all 3 movies!