Rise of the Silver Surfer Official: Fantastic Four 2 Novelization Discussion MAJOR SPOILERS!

[Hunter Rider]

Spoiler

They don't really battle the ships, but they do have what might be considered a "skirmish" (rather than a full fledged battle with the army

I should add. I've mentioned this in a few other places, but I realized I didn't quite mention it in my original review:

There is a LOT of action in this film. The FF are using their powers in some form or another throughout, and the ending has a particularly large scale sequence that has the potential to be one of the biggest Super-Hero battle sequences ever put on film.

. . . it's all in the hands of the visual effects guys. If they can pull it off, it should be something to see.

Thanks Willie,can you give me a brief description of what this big finale battle sequence involves,like who is in it etc ?

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Thanks Willie,can you give me a brief description of what this big finale battle sequence involves,like who is in it etc ?

Well this is a MAJOR spoiler, so click at your own risk (though people who hang around here already may have a good idea this was coming):

Spoiler

The FF vs. Doom with the Power Cosmic.

t: Tell me FF fans aren't interested in seeing that.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Well this is a MAJOR spoiler, so click at your own risk (though people who hang around here already may have a good idea this was coming):

Spoiler

The FF vs. Doom with the Power Cosmic.

t: Tell me FF fans aren't interested in seeing that.

Oh........

Spoiler

so Doom on the Board in full armour ? Sooooo where does Galactus firt in ?

 

[Kelly]

Watch out little grasshoppers, you don't want to screw the movie for yourself....its 2 months away.....we can wait.

 

[Iron Maiden]

Thanks for all the work on getting the info out there, Kel and Willie

Willie, I have a question.... In the dialogue that the book has for Victor, are there any more "Marco Polo" groan inducing lines??? Would you say

Spoiler

that the battle with Cosmic Doom vs the FF to be the key action sequence?

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Oh........

Spoiler

so Doom on the Board in full armour ? Sooooo where does Galactus firt in ?

Okay, here are some more pretty major spoilers, so read at your own risk:

Spoiler

This is the really weird part (and I've discussed it in some detail on the thread over on F4 movies, so you may want to check that out). . . the book never describes Doom "in full armor" so that was a BIG disappointment, but statements from Tim Story and Julian McMahon CLEARLY describe "full armor".

At this point, I have to assume that the book doesn't really cover the details that will be in the film and Doom will be in full armor at the point when he has the Surfer's power, but I've been confused by that point.

Also with Galactus. There's no mention in the book of classic Galactus, but many statements from studio reps seem to indicate there's more there than the book would imply.

The Surfer clearly mentions his "deal" to save his planet (which would seem to require something like a classic Galactus), but in the book all we see is the seemingly mindless Ultimate swarm.

My assumption is that classic Galactus exists within the frame of this story, but we don't get to see him (again as told by the book). He's off in space somewhere waiting for the swarm to bring him his meal.

I suspect that classic Galactus exists and the studio plans to unveil him either here or in a sequel (featuring either the FF or SS). The book implies that the Surfer will pay a price for his actions (saving the earth from the swarm) and that wouldn't be possible unless there was a classic Galactus somewhere.

I think part of the hesitation from the studios point of view is that they don't want to be locked into a design for classic Galactus just for a few seconds of film time on this movie. . .

. . . and considering all the comments we've heard from different people involved on the film, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if there is a scene of classic Galactus that they are trying to keep very secret.

. . . one thing is sure though. We won't see him walking the skys of New York city. If he exists (and I'm nearly certain he does) he is probably off in space somewhere for this particular film.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Thanks for all the work on getting the info out there, Kel and Willie

Willie, I have a question.... In the dialogue that the book has for Victor, are there any more "Marco Polo" groan inducing lines??? Would you say

Spoiler

that the battle with Cosmic Doom vs the FF to be the key action sequence?

Spoiler

I don't know if there are any moments as bad as "Marco Polo", but, sadly, he is more snide and sarcastic than arrogant and pretentious.

He is improved, but the continued . . . "smallness" . . . of his character was probably the single most frustrating part for me. Not just because his character wasn't right, but because it would have been so easy to make it much better.

His actions are generally consitent with Doom, and he shows MUCH more technical skill, but a few sloppy lines of dialogue ruin the effect. Re-writing those few lines could have made a huge improvement.

 

[Malus]

^ Unless Story, McMahon & others have been giving out deliberate misinformation, then yes, this book is apparently leaving out things we already know are in there.

 

[Kelly]

Thanks for all the work on getting the info out there, Kel and Willie

Willie, I have a question.... In the dialogue that the book has for Victor, are there any more "Marco Polo" groan inducing lines??? Would you say

Spoiler

that the battle with Cosmic Doom vs the FF to be the key action sequence?

Spoiler

not quite as bad as marco polo....but if it is left in for the movie....pretty damn close......

 

[Malus]

Spoiler

not quite as bad as marco polo....but if it is left in for the movie....pretty damn close......

Here's hoping it's an author's embellishment.

 

[Kelly]

Here's hoping it's an author's embellishment.

 

[Ahura Mazda]

Spoiler

So if I am readinng this right, in the book it is Gah Lak Tus and not Galactus? In other words, a swarm of bug like ships.

 

[Kelly]

Spoiler

So if I am readinng this right, in the book it is Gah Lak Tus and not Galactus? In other words, a swarm of bug like ships.

We just don't know......and thats the truth......that will have to wait for the movie itself.

 

[Iron Maiden]

Spoiler

not quite as bad as marco polo....but if it is left in for the movie....pretty damn close......

This is what aggravates me, is the dumbing down in script writing skills.

Spoiler

Any number of comic book writers, Mark Waid, Chris Claremont, Chuck Dixon, Ed Brubaker, all of who have written the most recent major Doom stories, could easily come up with dialogue that would ring true to the character. They have more grounding in the classics and sci fi then some of these highly paid Hollywood types do in order to pull it off.

Thanks for the info again, Kel and Willie! I still have a high level of anticipation for this movie and I am glad that the book is vague on a lot of things.

 

[Kelly]

This is what aggravates me, is the dumbing down in script writing skills.

Spoiler

Any number of comic book writers, Mark Waid, Chris Claremont, Chuck Dixon, Ed Brubaker, all of who have written the most recent major Doom stories, could easily come up with dialogue that would ring true to the character. They have more grounding in the classics and sci fi then some of these highly paid Hollywood types do in order to pull it off.

Well I am certainly no expert on any genre of writing, but I do know that there are some differences in the genre of comic books and screenplays.....I also know that they were able to do a fine job of taking Sin City directly from the pages to the screen....yet I heard from many people that the dialogue of Sin City got on their nerves......I enjoyed it myself....so to each his own. I will say this.......I have not read the early issues of F4, I don't really find the storylines all that appealing at this point in my life....but I have enjoyed the issues of the past few years....I began reading with "Authoritative Action" and onward from there....I totally enjoyed this arc.....and I see ALOT of similarities....not so much in the storyline, but in the feel of what I've read in the novelization.....I've also read all of the MK issues from start to finish, and the characters are very much pulled from these issues.....I myself, loved those issues and I'm saddened that those have ended....as far as a couple of Doom's lines go, my hope is that they read these forums....and rip those right outta there.....lol So far....THAT is my only complaint...but again, to the lover of the early comics.....there will definitely be "some" places where you will go...."awwwww that could have been so much better had they used this panel from the comics...etc...." but to the regular moviegoer, if done right and shot right.....could come off beautifully.....

Thanks for the info again, Kel and Willie! I still have a high level of anticipation for this movie and I am glad that the book is vague on a lot of things.

I'm very glad that the book is very vague.....let me say......last time after reading the shooting script I read the novelization, and it was almost word for word the same....and the book was more than what we have with this book.......I do not believe for one minute that we have everything in this book like we did last time.......I coudl be eating these words in 2 months....lol but thats my feeling right now....

 

[Hunter Rider]

Okay, here are some more pretty major spoilers, so read at your own risk:

Spoiler

This is the really weird part (and I've discussed it in some detail on the thread over on F4 movies, so you may want to check that out). . . the book never describes Doom "in full armor" so that was a BIG disappointment, but statements from Tim Story and Julian McMahon CLEARLY describe "full armor".

At this point, I have to assume that the book doesn't really cover the details that will be in the film and Doom will be in full armor at the point when he has the Surfer's power, but I've been confused by that point.

Also with Galactus. There's no mention in the book of classic Galactus, but many statements from studio reps seem to indicate there's more there than the book would imply.

The Surfer clearly mentions his "deal" to save his planet (which would seem to require something like a classic Galactus), but in the book all we see is the seemingly mindless Ultimate swarm.

My assumption is that classic Galactus exists within the frame of this story, but we don't get to see him (again as told by the book). He's off in space somewhere waiting for the swarm to bring him his meal.

I suspect that classic Galactus exists and the studio plans to unveil him either here or in a sequel (featuring either the FF or SS). The book implies that the Surfer will pay a price for his actions (saving the earth from the swarm) and that wouldn't be possible unless there was a classic Galactus somewhere.

I think part of the hesitation from the studios point of view is that they don't want to be locked into a design for classic Galactus just for a few seconds of film time on this movie. . .

. . . and considering all the comments we've heard from different people involved on the film, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if there is a scene of classic Galactus that they are trying to keep very secret.

. . . one thing is sure though. We won't see him walking the skys of New York city. If he exists (and I'm nearly certain he does) he is probably off in space somewhere for this particular film.

Thanks Willie

Spoiler

So how do they stop the ships arriving ? do any of them ever make Earth ?

 

[Nokio]

Well I can't say that i'm surprised that Galactus is that crappy Ultimate version. I also would suggest that no one hold out hope that FOX is going to give us a surprise and show 616 Galactus.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Thanks Willie

Spoiler

So how do they stop the ships arriving ? do any of them ever make Earth ?

This is going to give away part of the whole ending of the movie, so if you really want to have some surprises left, DO NOT CLICK THIS SPOILER:

Spoiler

They make it to earth and are beginning the process of sucking the energy out, but the surfer, after seeing the bravery and heart of the Fantastic Four, leads them away. That's a big reason that I think there has to be a "real" galactus somewhere. If the swarm actually was Galactus, how could they make a deal with Surfer to save his planet? How could they be so easily led away if they were capable of any actual thought?

I assume Galactus is using the swarm as his method for sucking the energy out of the planets.

And with those assumptions it does open up some interesting possibilities for the next film (either FF or SS). Even without a specific cliff-hanger, there is clearly some unfinished business here.

 

[Kelly]

Well I can't say that i'm surprised that Galactus is that crappy Ultimate version. I also would suggest that no one hold out hope that FOX is going to give us a surprise and show 616 Galactus.

No one has said that......actually what has been said.....IS.......there is no guarantee exactly what we will be getting......and it could be simply a combination of both.....we just don't know....

 

[AdWolF16]

is the word

Spoiler

"Galactus"

actually spoken by any of the characters as far as you recall?

 

[Kelly]

is the word

Spoiler

"Galactus"

actually spoken by any of the characters as far as you recall?

Spoiler

Unfortunately, no......I guess there are many of us that are simply hoping for not a "name" but the look of "Galactus" in either #3 of F4 or the SS....but I'm not going to lie to you either....if you were hoping for the name......no as far as the look.....we don't know, at least in this movie anyway.....Willie is speaking of dialogue from the SS and the 4 when he says he's not sure of what we will get later. Hey, we may not get a later either........again I'm not going to lie to you.....

 

[Spider - Man]

I just finished the book and this was the most disappointing, out-of-character act of Doom for me:

Spoiler

When Reed finished telling off the General and Doom follows the general out of the room like a puppy. I know he was just wanting to find out where the nboard was and get permission to examine it, but this incarnation of Doom is a shadow of what the true comic Doom SHOULD be onscreen. Sad.

 

[Spider - Man]

Spoiler

Unfortunately, no......I guess there are many of us that are simply hoping for not a "name" but the look of "Galactus" in either #3 of F4 or the SS....but I'm not going to lie to you either....

Spoiler

Actually The Surfer says it at the bottom of page 189 though he pronounces it Gah Lak Tus

 

[Kelly]

Spoiler

Actually The Surfer says it at the bottom of page 189 though he pronounces it Gah Lak Tus

Spoiler

I know......but they are wanting to know if the original "Galactus" is mentioned......he is not......thats what I'm saying. These are in the minds of 80% of the F4 comic fans out there.....2 different characters...As for me, I'm fine with either character as long as it looks great on screen.....but to the F4 comic fan, there is only one.....and he is not mentioned...and some "as in Willie" are hoping that the characters are simply combined and we will see the original at some point on later date....

 

[Spider - Man]

Spoiler

I know......but they are wanting to know if the original "Galactus" is mentioned......he is not......thats what I'm saying. These are in the minds of 80% of the F4 comic fans out there.....2 different characters...As for me, I'm fine with either character as long as it looks great on screen.....but to the F4 comic fan, there is only one.....and he is not mentioned...and some "as in Willie" are hoping that the characters are simply combined and we will see the original at some point on later date....

Ah, my fault. The problem for me is:

Spoiler

if they go the route of the book, there is no interaction between the FF and the big G, which was a highlight of the 616 first meeting. In the book they don't even "meet" him and I don't like that. I hope you're right and there are some differences between the book and the film!

By the way, what movie is your avvy from? That's pretty funny!