Mr. Fantastic Speaks
IGN's exclusive chat with actor Ioan Gruffudd.
by
Stax
February 16, 2007 - IGN Movies chatted with Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd this week, during which time we got him to open up about what fans can expect from Fox's
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Gruffudd reprises his role as Dr. Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic, in the sequel to the 2005 blockbuster.
IGN Movies: What is the nature of the relationship between the Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer in the film? Will the Surfer be a good guy by the end of the movie? Or is he still going to be a villain so as to set up a third film?
Ioan Gruffudd: We're certainly keeping to the comic book. Absolutely, yes. So his good side is revealed towards the end of the movie, but not quite entirely. So we are true to the ambiguous nature of the character in that comic book and that's why he's so loved. He's tormented.
IGN: Were you ever concerned at all that the film was being used as a springboard for a new character and potential franchise? Was there any concern about balance since it is supposed to be your film and not the Surfer's?
Gruffudd: I hadn't thought of that until you brought it up. That is interesting.
IGN: I'm glad I brought it up after you finished filming.
Gruffudd: Yeah, right! Run in there in a panic, "We must get this guy out of the movie!" [laughs] No, because of his popularity he can only help us as the Fantastic Four. That's the exciting thing about it. The fans can't wait to meet the Silver Surfer, and if he does have a spin-off then good luck to him.
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Ioan Gruffudd (in the Fantasticar); click for more images from Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.[/SIZE]
IGN: So it is accurate then, too, that Galactus is never in the movie? You were quoted as saying that in another interview.
Gruffudd: Yes. Yes, it is.
IGN: Are the Fantastic Four films envisioned as a trilogy, kind of like Fox's X-Men films? And does this one end on a cliffhanger?
Gruffudd: Yes and no. It comes to a good, natural conclusion but, yes, obviously we leave it open-ended for the next one certainly.
IGN: So how's Dr. Doom handling it now that you took his girl, took his looks and sent him off on a boat to Latveria?
Gruffudd: [laughs] He's mightily pissed off about it. But then he comes back. He does bear a grudge. You can put it that way.
IGN: Since the Fantastic Four are a family, how has the dynamic of the relationships between the character changed or evolved since the last film? Are they more comfortable being who they are? Less comfortable?
Gruffudd: I'd say they are more comfortable but they're still grappling with it. They're still toying with the idea of maybe we should give up this life and move out into the countryside somewhere and forget about it. The "I don't want to be Superman anymore" kind of thing. So we do have that conversation. We do present them as celebrities, absolutely. Every time they walk out the door people are watching them. They do live amongst everyone in New York City.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer opens June 15th.