Fantastic Four rebooted - What in the name of Aunt Petunia is going on here?

Back at the start of March I posted the news that the Fantastic Four could be heading back rebooted with a new set of unstable molecular clad heroes.

The reboot was among the many projects promoted at the Licensing International Expo 2009 event held in New York earlier this month.

It sounds as if 20th Century Fox are going The Dark Knight route as they are reportedly planning an "all-new cast" and a "far darker take" on the Fantastic Four in their proposed reboot of the franchise.

Jim Hill Media, which attended the convention, said the reboot will "feature an all-new cast as well as a far darker take on this classic Marvel comic."

The original starred Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis as adventurers transformed by cosmic radiation, and Julian McMahon as Doctor Doom. Unfortunately, the didn't do Marvel's first family much justice, although the Silver Surfer looked cool.

Now the Fantastic Four have had their share of adventures that have run the gamut of emotions. They cover all styles from Pulp to high Science-Fiction by way of family soap opera so there is plenty to choose from to make an excellent comic book film. I don't think going the darker path is the best way to go, although it would be nice to see Sue Storm in the Malice costume! Instead they should forget the origin story in the the reboot, or have it in the opening credits, and then show the FF as the celebrities they are. Then send them through adventures through time, space and the Baxter building.

It's a pity Marvel Studios don't have the rights as it would be excellent to see Reed Richards brainstorming with Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark. Imagine if they went with the alternate Fantastic Four of the Hulk, Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Spider-Man?

What do you want to see in a new Fantastic Four film? What storyline, characters and villains? Who should be cast in the roles and who should direct?

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Which Captain America will return to the Marvel universe?

Recent pictures and rumours about the forthcoming Captain America #600 have included the possibility of Steve Rogers returning after his assassination a while back.

Images have included the Heroes Reborn female Bucky as shown below.

How can an alternative universe character end up in the regular Marvel universe and how could Steve Rogers return in a comic book logical way.

This memo from Reed Richards to Tony Stark could explain both.

If it is true then the Ultimate universe Steve Rogers would be a nice addition to the Marvel U.

If none of this made sense go to your local comic shop and buy The Ultimates and lots of other comics. They are good.

Cheers to the excellent Rich Johnston at Bleeding Cool for the heads up.

What are your thoughts on this?

Discuss in the forum or leave a comment below.

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Favreau to direct The Avengers, Alexander and Stellan Skarsgard as Thor and Odin and news on Daredevil and The Fantastic Four

AICN have a source on the inside who has the following news about various Marvel films. I really like the fact that a father and son may be playing a father and son in Thor and Favreau directing The Avengers is great news. It will bring a lot of consistency into the big screen Marvel Universe. That also explains the recent shuffling around of the various release dates for the films. Fingers crossed that most of these things actually happen. Still not sure about Hartnett as Loki though.

-Avengers is delayed a year because of financing issues but also because the plan is for Favreau to helm it. Everybody here loves the guy and he wants to do it, but it would have been impossible for him to do before the date change given his Iron Man 2 commitments. Also partly the reason why he agreed to do the Stark sequel on such an accelerated schedule was so he could get given first dibs on this. It would still be a punishing schedule for him, so hes not firmly confirmed yet, but he is certainly the presumptive director at this point.

- Iron Man starts rehearsals in a few days, which is why the casting is finally coming together so quickly.

-Alexander Skargard is indeed Branagh’s favorite to play Thor as some sites are reporting. If all goes well and it happens then we hope to get Stellan Skarsgard for Odin (though at present Odin is only a very small cameo part in this movie).

-Loki will probably be played by Hartnett, if his pay negotiations work out. All the commentary about him wanting to do a Ledger and play a villain is B.S. though – WE APPROACHED HARTNETT because Branagh’s a big fan of the Othello adaptation O where Hartnett played Iago who is very similar character wise to how he sees Loki.

- Fox is serious about doing remakes of Daredevil and FF. They have to make new movies with these characters every few years because otherwise the options will revert to us. This point is kinda obvious but Im not sure people realise it –I haven't seen anybody pointing it out anywhere. The mood around here is pretty negative about Rothman’s potential to execute these properties properly, (Im sure you know why it might be particularly negative at the moment) but we are all hoping his recent promotion will mean hes kept away from direct control of these movies.

What are your thoughts on all that? Happy to hear Favreau could be directing The Avengers? Who would want to play Daredevil?

Leave a comment on this post below.

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Fantastic Four to be rebooted....possibly

IESB have some news on a rumour that may interest those who are fans of the ever lovin' blue eyed Thing. That's right true believers, The Fantastic Four may be getting the reboot.

With Daredevil already getting the once over and Planet of the Apes also in the running for a new start with a prequel in the works Fantastic Four is joining the reboot gang.

The two films previously released never really caught on with the fans and the studio is reportedly looking to completely retool, recast and recrew the franchise.

The first Fantastic Four in 2005 pulled in over $330 million worldwide and the second film, Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer, opened in 2007 with a total box office take of $290 million. Both made money and were commercial successes but the reviews were lackluster and the fan reaction was mediocre.

The franchise is looking to be "less bubble gum" this time round following the Iron Man template, which was a complete success in reviews and box office take but a bit darker when it came to its superhero. Iron Man was in no way as dark as The Dark Knight but was funny, action-y as well as a bit on the serious side.

If this is true it will be great news as I don't think the recent Fantastic Four films did the First Family of Marvel much justice. Plus it means that they can also crossover with Captain America, the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and the Avengers. Now if only Marvel Studios could get the X-Men and Spider-Man back in the fold.

Who would you want to see playing Mr Fantastic, the Invisible Woman (hope they have her become Malice), the Human Torch, the Thing and Dr Doom? Who could direct it and how could they integrate into the current crop of Marvel movies? What storylines could they use?

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H2 - Michael Myers as we've never seen him before

Yep the bearded fellow above is Tyler Mane as Michael Myers in Rob Zombie's H2 (the sequel to his Halloween reboot). Good to see they are going in a slightly different direction by not having him in the William Shatner mask for the full film. The shot actually reminds me of the Fantastic Four comic when Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) stumbles across a bearded tramp / hobo who turns out to be Namor the Submariner, but that's just me.

The photos come from STYD who have few more photos from the filming as well.

They also have this snippet of news about the young actor Daeg Faerch. He wrote via his MySpace blog that he will not be in the film. "Although I was contracted to reprise the role of young Michael Myers in the upcoming H2 after filming briefly on the set in GA, I am to be recast due to my increased height."

The shot below is of Dr. Loomis' (Malcolm McDowell) book based on the exploits from the first film.

Do you like the beard on Myers? Are you looking forward to H2? Did you enjoy Zombie's Halloween?

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Springfield Simpson Poster of Marvel, DC, He-Man, Watchmen and many more

Great poster by Dean over on Springfield Punx. Loads of comic book and movie characters have been Simpsonised by him. Just having a quick look at it I can see The Watchmen, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Lex Luthor, Spider-Man, Green Goblin, Captain America, He Man, Skeletor, Superman, The Joker, Venom, Marty McFly, The Silver Surfer, Napolean Dynamite, Thor, Lion-O, Namor, Stephen Colbert, Hulk, the Turtles, and many many more. Who have I missed out?

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Djimon Hounsou to be Black Panther in animated series

MTV have news on a Black Panther animated series which sounds pretty cool.

Djimon Hounsou, the award-winning actor who played prominent roles in “Blood Diamond” and “Gladiator,” will soon be lending his voice to one of Marvel’s most prominent heroes: Black Panther, T'Challa. Variety reports that Hounsou has agreed to provide the voice of T’Challa, king of the technologically-advanced African nation of Wakanda in the Marvel Universe, in the upcoming animated series produced by Marvel Animation and set to air in early 2009 on BET.

The animated series will be based on a 2005 story arc from the “Black Panther” comics, scripted by former BET Networks president Reginald Hudlin, featuring a reimagining of sorts of the character’s origin that placed him among the select few Marvel characters to stand toe-to-toe with Captain America.

Black Panther made his debut in a 1966 issue of "Fantastic Four,” and has fought villains as both a solo act and as a member of various superhero teams over the years — including a recent stint with his wife, Storm of the X-Men, substituting for Reed and Sue Richards on the Fantastic Four. Marvel recently announced that the “Black Panther” print series will be relaunching in February 2009 with a new, female hero donning the Black Panther costume.

According to Marvel Animation rep Eric Rollman, “‘The Black Panther’ is Marvel’s entrée into prime-time animation, and Djimon raises the bar for all involved as we bring the best in the animation business together to execute that vision.”

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