With development of X-Men: First Class being well underway (there have now been masses of confirmed big-name stars joining the picture; which has been penned by Kick-Ass writer, and wife of ex-BBC presenter Jonathan Ross, Jane Goldman), and rumours of of Wolverine sequel already doing the round on the internet, Fox is already looking past the current project, to a new Marvel based comic-book adaptation; a film version of The Fantastic Four.
Most film fans and comic-book enthusiasts will realize that there has already been a Fantastic Four movie (and a sequel to that movie; subtitled Rise of the Silver Surfer), but despite being a financial success, most people were less than thrilled with the result of the first film, and downright loathed the Silver Surfer; which is precisely why Fox has now decided to ignore the two previous movies, and create a fully-fledged Fantastic Four reboot.
There’s little word as of yet regarding the film’s plot, but several rumours have begun to surface about the potential cast members (because as much as having Dark Angel’s Jessica Alba, and The Shield’s Michael Chiklis, back may help draw some crowds, not only would that essentially make it a sequel, and kill the reboot idea, but having Chris Evans reprise his role as Johnny Storm when he’ll shortly be appearing as Captain America in two films set in the same Marvel universe; Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Avengers; might hamper continuity, and kill any other potential crossovers).
Fox is apparently pursuing a list of well-known actors to appear in the movie, but nearing the top of the pile of potential cast members lined up to play Reed Richards (the stretchy leader of the four superheroes, who’s better known as Mr Fantastic), are Predators star Adrien Brody, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers (who’s best known for his portrayal of Henry VIII in Showtime’s The Tudors, but more recently appeared in Shelter, and From Paris With Love).
Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League) and Amber Heard (who’s recently been seen in The Jonses, and the 2009 remake of The Stepfather) are also rumoured to be in with a chance of landing the role of Sue Storm (Mr Fantastic’s love interest), and while there has been no news on who may play the Human Torch; Johnny Storm; all signs point to The Thing (the rock-hard orange beast formerly played by Michael Chiklis) will be represented entirely in CG.
There’s still plenty of time for announcements however; and plenty of other superhero movies that will be released before then, as not only are Thor, Captain America, and The Green Hornet, due out next year, but The Avengers, and Christopher Nolan’s third Batman movie are due out in 2012; and The Fantastic Four reboot won’t be released until an unconfirmed date in 2013.
