The "Keep Hope Alive" (that the rights can revert back to Marvel) thread - Part 8

[Dark Raven]

I'm almost 100% certain this is true at this point. It dovetails too well with everything else we know, especially the rumors that Fox had tried to have him replaced at the last minute.



The reversion clock will reset in any event and we'll be stuck with another 7 year wait

Wouldn't it have been better to just get any random person from the film crew to direct the movie instead of getting Trank, knowing he was going to be such a liability and problem? Yes, they wouldn't have a proper "name" director as such, but isn't that better than having a director who will worsen the situation for you and create even more headaches and problems than you had in the first place?

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Hopefully there are two things happening behind the scenes right now:

a. Marvel and Fox are talking about some way that they can make this film disappear and truly fulfill its destiny as Corman II.

b. In the event those talks break down, Marvel's lawyers are prepared to go to court to prevent the release of this film. Firing a director mid-film and continuing on with production would certainly be grounds to claim that Fox is not faithfully executing their stewardship of this property.

 

[Endeavor]

I understand that the X-Men is going to be at Fox for a long long time and that there are fans out there for what they are doing with them but for those same fans to act like Marvel couldn't do a better job with these characters is beyond ludicrous. Unfortunately we'll probably never know exactly what Marvel would have done so instead in the meantime we'll just have to enjoy characters like Rocket Racoon.

That's because for some crazy reason they've become fans of the studio more than the characters.
I used to be a permanent resident in the X-Forums when I started on this site, now I'm just a casual visitor.
Not because there are bad ppl there, it's just that what that company has done to the characters I love is unforgivable. And to have fellow fans overlook that is nauseating.

 

[Dark Raven]

Couldn't Fox have brought in Roger Corman to finish the job if they fired Trank?

The film could've become known as the Corman Chronicles.

 

[Endeavor]

Sadly, IF these rumors are true and IF Fox still releases it, I think any hope of a quick reversion is gone. Because that will just illustrate Fox is so determined to hold on to the rights that they'll release a disaster of a film to accomplish that goal.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

The Man from UNCLE is coming out the week after FFINO. They probably don't have anything to worry about, because FFINO will have finished its theatrical run by then.

WB has actually released an official photo of U.N.C.L.E and it comes out after Fantastic Four. Fox are hiding this film, period.

 

[Dark Raven]

WB has actually released an official photo of U.N.C.L.E and it comes out after Fantastic Four. Fox are hiding this film, period.

Even before the official photos though, there were dozens of set photos of UNCLE during filming. We've all already seen what Cavill and Hammer look like in their period clothing ages ago. I think that was long before FFINO even started filming, so easily 10 months ago if not a year ago.

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

That's because for some crazy reason they've become fans of the studio more than the characters.
I used to be a permanent resident in the X-Forums when I started on this site, now I'm just a casual visitor.
Not because there are bad ppl there, it's just that what that company has done to the characters I love is unforgivable. And to have fellow fans overlook that is nauseating.

I'm not sure how many of the Fox-men fans actually even read the comics. And I see a lot of double standards with their arguments. They look with disdain on the fun and colorful "comic-booky" elements of the Marvel films that many of us love but they have no problem checking their brain at the door for Kinberg's stupid scripts. (I'm sorry but Xavier trading his telepathic mutation for the ability to walk is contrived as hell and is purely a plot device nothing more.)

These "fans" talk about Marvel being formulaic but Marvel actually gives us something new. Honestly, I'm a little tired of Fox's formulaic take on the mutants and would like to see something fresh and different from them already. First Class was a chance to start with a clean slate but that ship has sailed and now with DOFP they are committed to the path they started on back in 2000.

These people complain that Loki has appeared in 3 films and yet Magneto has been the villain in FIVE X-Men films. His reversion to form in DOFP was almost exactly like his turn in X2. He's become completely predictable at this point.

They call the MCU fan service but if DOFP wasn't just glorified continuity doctoring and fan appeasement then I don't what is.

 

[Spiderine]

They haven't even released a poster, photo or even the official name of the film. Absolutely nothing. Its almost January.

I just hope Fox still holding on to hope that Disney bites and keep them from releasing this abomination. Disney probably see what we all see, that FOX is just bluffing because if this was a poker game nobody would fall for it. Fox clearly has a bad hand with a bad poker face.

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

I wouldn't be surprised if there are still ongoing talks between Fox and Disney - especially if this Trank situation is as bad as it is rumored to be. I mean look - things were very quiet with Sony's plans for Spider-Man and the hesitation on their part was palpable after ASM 2 flopped. Everyone says "Spider-Man will never go back to Marvel - blah blah blah" and lo and behold here comes the Sony hack and Marvel and Sony have been discussing this idea for months.

The situation with the FF is eerily similar. The only difference is Fox already started the film - but we all can tell plain as day that they've barely spent any money on it. It would not shock me at all if Fox shelved the whole project and worked a deal out with Disney at the last minute to save face. At the same time I think Marvel is letting Fox have enough rope to hang themselves. If Fox goes forward and releases this abortion just to keep the rights for another seven years then we will know that the spirit of Tom Rothman is still alive and well at Fox.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Even before the official photos though, there were dozens of set photos of UNCLE during filming. We've all already seen what Cavill and Hammer look like in their period clothing ages ago. I think that was long before FFINO even started filming, so easily 10 months ago if not a year ago.

Good point. Even before the release date change WB weren't going out of their way to hide the film. And they aren't now. Fox is seemingly terrified of letting us see anything about Fantastic Four.

Why haven't the released the ****ing logo at the very least? It's getting to be embarrassing.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I wouldn't be surprised if there are still ongoing talks between Fox and Disney - especially if this Trank situation is as bad as it is rumored to be. I mean look - things were very quiet with Sony's plans for Spider-Man and the hesitation on their part was palpable after ASM 2 flopped. Everyone says "Spider-Man will never go back to Marvel - blah blah blah" and lo and behold here comes the Sony hack and Marvel and Sony have been discussing this idea for months.

The situation with the FF is eerily similar. The only difference is Fox already started the film - but we all can tell plain as day that they've barely spent any money on it. It would not shock me at all if Fox shelved the whole project and worked a deal out with Disney at the last minute to save face. At the same time I think Marvel is letting Fox have enough rope to hang themselves. If Fox goes forward and releases this abortion just to keep the rights for another seven years then we will know that the spirit of Tom Rothman is still alive and well at Fox.

On one hand, it seems crazy that a studio would fire the director and then just keep going. On the other hand, I've gotten my hopes up so much over the past couple years just to be disappointed that I'm going to assume we're getting a lousy film in August until I hear otherwise.

The one thing we know with near certainty is we're not going to get a good FF film in the next 5 years under any circumstances, so I'm just going to try to be patient and see what happens.

 

[Dark Raven]

I wouldn't be surprised if there are still ongoing talks between Fox and Disney - especially if this Trank situation is as bad as it is rumored to be. I mean look - things were very quiet with Sony's plans for Spider-Man and the hesitation on their part was palpable after ASM 2 flopped. Everyone says "Spider-Man will never go back to Marvel - blah blah blah" and lo and behold here comes the Sony hack and Marvel and Sony have been discussing this idea for months.

The situation with the FF is eerily similar. The only difference is Fox already started the film - but we all can tell plain as day that they've barely spent any money on it. It would not shock me at all if Fox shelved the whole project and worked a deal out with Disney at the last minute to save face. At the same time I think Marvel is letting Fox have enough rope to hang themselves. If Fox goes forward and releases this abortion just to keep the rights for another seven years then we will know that the spirit of Tom Rothman is still alive and well at Fox.

Well Sony shelved the Interview only a week or so before its intended theatrical release. Granted, of course, they had every intention of releasing it and it was in response to the terrorist threats, but they spent much more on that movie and still pulled it at the last minute. Fox have far less invested in FFINO and don't care for it anyway, so we could still get an eleventh-hour intervention with that movie and see it not actually released into theatres.

 

[kaijunexus]

Could you imagine if Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four were both back at Marvel Studios by this time next year?

No one would have thought that was possible a year or two ago. But now, it's certainly a possibility.

 

[Ragnaroknroll]

Well as mentioned previously by others, Fox does actually have something invested. The X-Men. I personally found DOFP underwhelming but there's no denying that between that film and First Class they have gained a lot of good will among fans. Even so it's been an uphill climb to regain credibility after the series reached its nadir with XO:W. DOFP still couldn't top the domestic earnings for Last Stand despite inflation, an all star cast, a humongous budget and 3D ticket prices. If they push out a turd of a film for a property they clearly don't understand just to keep the rights they will risk burning whatever good will they have regained and this will negatively impact their one golden goose. Fox doesn't need the ill will for this film to bleed over.

 

[Orba]

I think if these rumors are even partially true, bad-buzz will turn to terrible buzz and even the most ardent supporters will have trouble rationalizing that a good film can come out of this disaster.

Fox may still try to release the film to keep the rights and try to get some of their investment back, but I suspect they will spend next to nothing on marketing and this will be in and out of theaters quickly.

. . . but still might make enough money to cover the low budget.

The one hope we can have is that this film bombs so badly that Fox will never again try a cheap production like this to hold on to the rights.


BTW has there been any indication from any of the actors about reshoots? These days reshoots are almost guaranteed, and if Trank was out of the picture you would expect so reshoots to help "fix" things. Unless of course they have decided its not worth throwing good money after bad and will just use what they have.

 

[Spiderine]

I don't really put anything past Fox. They released a turd of a film in Dragonball they will do it with FF too. The question I have is it worth it for Fox to do this. The majority of fans have turned against them on this film. Its a freaking reboot of an already failed franchise. I think there have still been talks off and on since the GOTG release. Fox probably still has a high price tag and Disney continues to turn their nose. Worst case scenario is Fox goes on to release it and hope for its budget back and immediately give in to Disney and take whatever deal was on the table.

 

[GoblinScrier]

On one hand, it seems crazy that a studio would fire the director and then just keep going. On the other hand, I've gotten my hopes up so much over the past couple years just to be disappointed that I'm going to assume we're getting a lousy film in August until I hear otherwise.

The one thing we know with near certainty is we're not going to get a good FF film in the next 5 years under any circumstances, so I'm just going to try to be patient and see what happens.

I am sure you are right about not getting a good FF film in the next 5 years Willie...however, I do feel like if Marvel did get the property back, they don't have to have a F4 film to give us these characters...slowly introduce them in other features...drop name hints of Latveria, the threat of Doom, mention Negative Zone, etc....all kinds of ways to give us the 4...get the public to like them again as they should have done all along...then bam...a new F4 film

 

[SolarTiger]

haha, that was the movie that drew me to this forum in the first place....I had completely wiped it from my mind and that photo was like a terrible flashback.

FF has way too many parallels to DBE not to be worried. I just want to see a trailer for the comedic value alone...Doom as a blogger

 

[Dark Raven]

haha, that was the movie that drew me to this forum in the first place....I had completely wiped it from my mind and that photo was like a terrible flashback.

FF has way too many parallels to DBE not to be worried. I just want to see a trailer for the comedic value alone...Doom as a blogger

Just reading this now on Wikipedia regarding DBE:

Zac Bertschy of Anime News Network, originally disgusted at fans of the franchise who criticized the film via leaked set shots and trailers before the film's release, gave the film an overall failing grade and stated "the fans were right."

Sounds eerily similar to FFINO. Seems even critics changed their tune. What makes fans of this movie think it's going to be any different from DBE and that this will actually defy fans' expectations?

They could give this movie the title "Fantastic Four: Evolution."

 

[Dasher10]

I agree with this. The media turned the backlash of MBJ's casting into a race thing, as if people can't have opinions, especially when he didn't have to audition. FTR, huge MBJ fan-would make a great superhero, (including some traditionally white characters)such as Richard Ryder, NightThrasher,Blade, WonderMan,Black Lighting,Static Shock,Kyle Rayner etc.

Trank made a modern age Blair Witch Project and Hollywood was his oyster.

I always felt like Darkhawk should have been black. MBJ sadly might be too old for that now.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I am sure you are right about not getting a good FF film in the next 5 years Willie...however, I do feel like if Marvel did get the property back, they don't have to have a F4 film to give us these characters...slowly introduce them in other features...drop name hints of Latveria, the threat of Doom, mention Negative Zone, etc....all kinds of ways to give us the 4...get the public to like them again as they should have done all along...then bam...a new F4 film

How cool would it be if they could slip a scene with Reed, Ben and Doom all in college into one of the upcoming films?

Now there I go again. Thinking about how cool things could be before waking up to the harsh reality that Fox is making what is likely to be an epically bad film that's a complete embarrassment to the Fantastic Four name.

 

[Dasher10]

I actually have a better FF cast if the new film grosses under $200M and the rights revert to Marvel.

Mister Fantastic: Jamie Bamber
Invisible Woman: Emily Blunt
Human Torch: Zac Efron
Thing: Seth Rogan
Doctor Doom: Sergej Trifunovic

 

[Serpico Jones]

Drew McWeeny also hinted on his blog yesterday that Trank was fired. He praised the hiring of Justin Lin for Star Trek 3 because he was a veteran that the studio could trust not to go awol like another young director of a tent pole who is no longer accepting calls from the studio as they search for someone to take over for re shoots.

 

[Dark Raven]

Drew McWeeny also hinted on his blog yesterday that Trank was fired. He praised the hiring of Justin Lin for Star Trek 3 because he was a veteran that the studio could trust not to go awol like another young director of a tent pole who is no longer accepting calls from the studio as they search for someone to take over for re shoots.

Who is that they're referring to? And who is Drew McWeeny?