The Fantastic Four may be Marvel’s oldest superhero team, but they have been absent from the MCU, yet there have been several earlier adaptations that have provided a glimpse of what these heroes stand for. The Fantastic Four were first adapted for film and scheduled to be released in 1994, but the film was ultimately shelved after filming was completed. However, later adaptations did manage to make it to theaters and generate a lot of buzz.
However, the movies largely received a mixed response, which only heightens the anticipation for the MCU’s take on Marvel’s First Family. Despite the faltering storylines, and failed attempts to adapt one of arguably the most imposing villains in any comic book, Doctor Doom, the scripts for these first three entries did feature some highlights. From moments that define the heroes, to dialogue that helps to establish the complex relationships within the story, there are plenty of bright spots worth admiring in the Fox Fantastic Four movies.
10 “Four Little Words That Can Change Our Lives Forever…”
Fantastic Four (2005)
Victor von Doom: Four words. Four little words that can change our lives forever…
Reed Richards: The cloud is accelerating!
Movies often use signposting to highlight a moment that seems minor, or appears to be one thing, while actually pointing toward a bigger moment down the line. Early in the first Fantastic Four movie that was released in 2005, the film established a preexisting relationship between Victor von Doom and Susan Storm. While the pair worked together, and appeared to make a pretty impressive power couple, it was clear that the emotions were more strongly felt on one side than the other.
This moment when Victor is preparing to propose sees him awkwardly lay out his question like some sort of odd business proposal, even calling it a “promotion.” However, just as Victor prepares to state those “four little words,” Reed Richards comes running in to announce an imminent disaster. The intent behind the scene is clear, with the threat of danger just around the corner, and Reed being the one to run to Sue’s aid. And, even better, the writers summed up his warning in another “four little words” that signposted everything was about to change.
9 “I Just Want My Work To Make A Difference.”
Fantastic Four (2015) Trailer
Sue Storm: You want to be famous?
Reed Richards: I just want my work to make a difference.
Josh Trank’s effort to reboot the Fantastic Four franchise in 2015, as a way to further expand Fox’s young heroes lineup and build out their competing Marvel universe, was a noble but misguided effort. The film was always going to be compared to the increasingly popular MCU, but it also had to improve on the earlier adaptations that were released just 10 years previous. Ultimately, with reshoots, heavy-handed editing, and too many voices, the movie was a disastrous failure. Despite the negative reviews and a disappointing box office, however, the film did have some bright spots.
One such bright spot actually appears in the trailer, and due to the excessive edits mentioned above, it never made it into the film, but it does a great job at highlighting who Reed Richards is. While others in his scientific community stand to gain fame and fortune, Reed has the brains and skills to put anyone through their paces. However, his motivation is not wealth or popularity, but a desire “to make a difference.” Reed may be one of the smartest men in all of Marvel history, but he is also humble and caring.
8 “I’m Hot. You’re… Well, You’re A Little Limp. Sue’s Easy To See Through. And Ben’s Always Been A Hardass.”
Fantastic Four (2005)
Reed Richards: I’m trying to figure out why we each ended up with different symptoms
Johnny Storm: Oh, well that’s easy: I’m hot. You’re… well, you’re a little limp. Sue’s easy to see through. And Ben’s always been a hardass.
However, one of the best aspects of The Fantastic Four is how diverse and unique each member of the team is. While Reed stands out as the leader, with the brains and heart of the operation, he is challenged by his closest friends and teammates. Among them is the hot-headed, and frequently immature Johnny Storm. Johnny starts his hero’s journey as a selfish playboy who predominantly focuses on his own needs and wants. While he isn’t an inherently bad person, he is thoughtless, and occasionally this comes out as cruel.
When the team first got their powers in 2005s Fantastic Four, Johnny was less concerned about the how and why, and more focused on what to do with his powers now that he’s got them. While Reed tries to understand this anomaly, and discover how best to deal with it, Johnny is ready to jump off the deep end and use his powers however he sees fit. While questioning the presence of powers and the differences between each of them, Johnny quickly fires off an answer which is only surface deep, but in fairness, his quick assessment could be pretty accurate.
7 “When Your World Is Destroyed, And I’m All That’s Left… Then It Will Be Enough.”
Fantastic Four (2015)
While it’s fair to say that Doctor Doom has yet to be adapted to the big screen in a way that fully captures the scale and grandeur of the comic book villain, 2015s adaptation did have some moments where the potential peeked through. Toby Kebbell was cast in the role of Doctor Doom, and while he portrays a decisively younger version of the villain than is typical, he does do a decent job of portraying gravity and depth in the role. The look, the powers, and the origin may all be departures from the source material, but there are definitely moments of Doom in the performance.
For instance, when Doom escapes the Planet Zero parallel dimension, he is full of rage, anger, and ultimately, doom. While young Victor was a promising scientist with a bright future, his frustration and competitive nature placed him in a position where he put himself and others at risk. After his accident, this doom encompasses him, and the character becomes a being of pure hatred and rage, who sees himself as an eradicator, or cleanser of Earth and all its flaws. This is reminiscent of the villain whose pride and obsession with perfection make him so destructive and intimidating.
6 “To Quote A Friend Of Mine: “It’s Cloberrin’ Time!””
Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (2007)
Returning to Johnny for a moment, he experiences tremendous growth throughout the first and second films. In Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Johnny and the rest of the team face an incredibly powerful foe who presents new challenges when a single touch causes Johnny’s powers to malfunction and swap with his teammates. While he is typically the practical joker of the group, this challenge becomes a pivotal part of his growth, and when he faces Doctor Doom at the end of the film, he presents this growth decisively.
Johnny and Ben Grimm are arguably the two most stubborn and argumentative members of the team, and it doesn’t help that Johnny constantly makes fun of Ben. While the others got powers that still allowed them to enjoy largely normal lives, Ben was transformed into a Thing that attracted long stares and horror at every turn. However, Johnny shows growth and appreciation for his friend, Ben, when he uses his iconic catchphrase ahead of taking on Doom.
5 “Do You Really Think Fate Turned Us Into Gods So We Could Refuse These Gifts?”
Fantastic Four (2005)
Victor von Doom: Do you really think fate turned us into gods so we could refuse these gifts?
Susan Storm: Victor, you always thought you were a god. Now back off.
Victor von Doom: Susan, let’s not fight.
Susan Storm: No, let’s!
One of the oldest moral dilemmas in superhero comics and the adaptations associated with them is the connection between superpowered people and gods. This theme is always present in The Fantastic Four stories, and especially anything associated with Doctor Doom, whose ego and power literally sees him turn himself into a godlike being. Near the conclusion of the first film, this very concept is raised when Doom himself compares himself to a god.
However, Sue Storm, arguably the woman who knows him the best in this film, points out how his ego always had him thinking so highly of himself. This truth is seen early on when Reed and Ben see the towering statue of Doom outside his place of work. In this scene, as Sue tries to talk him down from hurting others and wielding his powers for evil, it becomes clear that the two are on very different sides, and leads to one of their final encounters of the film.
4 “We Are Not Gods, Just People. And We Are Stronger Together Than We Are Apart.”
Fantastic Four (2015)
Dr. Franklin Storm: Victor, stop! We are not gods, just people. And we are stronger together than we are apart.
Considering the importance of this theme to the story and Doom’s character, it of course reappears in the 2015 adaptation when Sue and Johnny’s father, Dr. Franklin Storm, tries to talk Victor down from his destructive plans. After Victor arrives at the compound, wreaking havoc and killing innocent soldiers on his warpath, he confronts his former mentor and friend. Seeing what he became, Franklin tries to speak to Victor’s humanity, but it’s clear that Victor is gone, and only Doom remains.
This line, particularly the moment where Franklin declares that “we are stronger together,” is a perfect summary of the larger story. Yes, Doom is powerful. Yes, he can destroy and tear things down single-handedly. But, despite all his power, his decision to isolate himself and fight alone is ultimately his downfall. Conversely, The Fantastic Four find ways to overcome their differences and work together. And thanks to their united effort, they are able to come out on top.
3 “Treasure Each Moment With Her And Tell Her She’s Right, We Do Have A Choice.”
Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (2007)
In 2007, as the heroes faced their biggest rival yet with the fast approaching Galactus, they needed to find a way to fight back against the cosmically powered Silver Surfer. While the others tried to find a way to fight and capture the alien super being, Sue Storm recognized that despite their vastly different origins, they shared a capacity for love and understanding. Sue appealed to the humanity within Silver Surfer, and found that he was more like humans than he initially appeared.
Later in the film, this moment pays off when Silver Surfer becomes their ally, standing up to his master, Galactus, and saving the Earth from inevitable destruction. Ahead of this mammoth task, he uses some of his incredible power to bring Sue back from the dead, and tells Reed that she was right. This moment, revolving around morality and choice, is inspiring and one of the highlights of all the adaptations to date.
2 “I Put All Of My Faith In Them.”
Fantastic Four (2015)
Dr. Allen: We want to support you, Franklin, but you put a lot of faith in these kids.
Dr. Franklin Storm: I put all of my faith in them.
Returning to Fantastic Four’s 2015 reboot once again, the film’s first act is pretty solid overall. It introduces each of the characters independently, but one of their biggest advocates and supporters is the incredible Dr. Franklin Storm. Of course, as the father to Johnny and Sue, he may be somewhat biased, but his incredible faith in characters like Reed and Victor also helps to create a clear picture of whom these people could become, and sets the events in motion for the rest of the story.
Early in the film, he pitches the team to superiors who have the power to grant him funding or kill his projects. Despite the higher ups wishing that Storm would find older, more experienced people to aid him in his efforts, Storm is adamant that people like Reed and Victor are vital to the successful completion of the project. This inspiring faith instills the same feelings in the audience as it places the young heroes on a pedestal.
1 “You’re Right. I Didn’t. I Stayed In And Studied Like A Good Little Nerd…”
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
General Hager: Let me make it clear for you and your pack of freaks. I’m the quarterback, you’re on my team. Got it? But I guess you never played football in high school, did you, Richards?
Reed Richards: You’re right. I didn’t. I stayed in and studied like a good little nerd. And fifteen years later, I’m one of the greatest minds of the 21st century. I’m engaged to the hottest girl on the planet. And the big jock who played football in high school, well he’s standing right in front of me asking me for help, and I say he’s not going to get a damn thing, unless he does exactly what I say and starts treating me and my friends with some respect.
However, the top spot has to go to the moment that Reed Richards, leader of The Fantastic Four, finally fully embraces his role as a leader, and a superhero who deserves respect. While both of the Fantastic Four origin movies see Reed primarily avoiding the limelight, and occasionally in a power struggle, Rise of the Silver Surfer sees Reed step up. When the team is brought in to assist with the Silver Surfer, General Hager, a stubborn military man, belittles Reed and tries to assert his dominance.
However, Reed has finally come into his own, and he tells Hager exactly who he is, and why he deserves to take the lead, not just because of his powers, but because he is genuinely one of the most brilliant minds on the planet. Hager immediately gives in, recognizing Reed as a credible, reliable, and formidable ally, rather than a simple nerd. This moment, and many others like it shaped the previous Fantastic Four movies, and paved a way for the MCU to deliver another adaptation that will attempt to capture these heroes, and their greatest villains, even more authentically.
