The Untold Story of Chris Columbus’ FANTASTIC FOUR

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In this video, Owen explains the cinematic history of Fantastic Four, Chris Columbus' unmade 1990s film and the 20-year journey of bringing Marvel's first family to the big screen.
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▶ Special thanks to @NandovMovies @ForEveryKindofGeek and Aeric Azana for providing additional voiceover!
▶ Further reading:
David Hughes, The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Never Made (2001)
Los Angeles Magazine, March 2005
Marty Langford, Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four (2015)
comicbookmovie.com/fantastic-... www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-...
www.denofgeek.com/movies/peyt...
www.mtv.com/news/be0o35/fanta...
screenrant.com/fantastic-four...
www.slashfilm.com/612858/why-...
▶ Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:28 - Roger Corman (1992-1995)
8:36 - Nord VPN
9:43 - Chris Columbus (1995-1999)
14:53 - Raja Gosnell, Peyton Reed and Tim Story (1999-2005)
21:19 - Outro
▶ Music Used:
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Lukrembo - Daily
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Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Susan Storm, and her brother, Johnny Storm, were forever changed during an experimental space flight that exposed them to cosmic rays, which gave them superhuman powers and abilities. In the aftermath of their incredible journey, the four pledged to stay together as a team. They quickly became media sensations, and their celebrity status only grew as they explored the uncharted regions of the universe and confronted evil wherever they found it. But the Fantastic Four are more than just Super Heroes-they’re the first family of the Marvel Universe.
#FantasticFour #Marvel #ComicBooks

[@OwenLikesComics]

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[@soumenbiswasdhrubo]

The timing of this video confirms that Owen is an insider of marvel studios working undercover 👀

[@OwenLikesComics]

👀

[@srstriker6420]

@@OwenLikesComicswhat about Jeremy Slaters original script for the 2015 movie?

[@BrianGriffinW]

@@srstriker6420Bullets and Blockbusters covered that l think

[@arachnidcomics6404]

Owen, your timing couldn’t have been more perfect!

[@alienboy1322]

Indeed.

[@Huntercheese226]

*Fantastic

[@braddub8145]

To be fair, from a 90's perspective, Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid would've been brilliant choices

[@rebeccaa8103]

I think it's so funny how often people making these FF movies want a 60s vibe/setting, and now it looks like we might actually get it (even Pedro Pascal's post about his casting uses some Beatles music)

[@saltacaballo]

The vibes from the released logo and art are so 60s, casually

[@pious83]

Not necessarily. Nor does MCU FF need to be a period piece.

[@aksharaghav9657]

​@@pious83It is very likely though. They hired Matt Shakman, who is a huge sitcom nerd, just look at his work on WandaVision or Monarch The Legacy of Monsters.

[@mttylerdurden9]

Fun fact about Chris Columbus, he's the executive producer of Robert Eggers first 2 films (the VVitch and the lighthouse) and is producing eggers 4th film Nosferatu.

[@OvertheHedge06]

He's also gave us the first two Harry Potter fans that are beloved to this day and the first Percy Jackson movie that is hated to this day

[@mttylerdurden9]

​@@OvertheHedge06And unfortunately, Pixels.

[@coyotefever105]

It’s sad he’s not actually directing any movies like he did in the past.

[@mcurran6505]

18:04 I really love the idea of a F4 movie poster being a recreation of the first issue cover. If Marvel actually did that, that will actually blow fans' minds!

[@geeksplainedpod]

I had no idea this film (almost) existed! Just another reason why Owen is the best he is at what he does.

[@AngelPerez-tu1nk]

With all the films that do get made, tge behind the scenes story of unmade flms never stops being fascinated

[@srstriker6420]

13:37 I would have gone for Pierce Bronson as Mr Fantastic because of the Lawnmower Man

[@braxtonwages195]

He would have been perfect I dunno why I never thought of that before

[@sharpsonmusic]

My favourite portrayal of the Ben Grimm was played by Tobias Funke.

[@OwenLikesComics]

in the Roger Corman Thing suit too

[@JoeLovesComics]

😂

[@thegoodpersonoftune-towne1556]

I really hope you eventually cover the 60s Wonder Woman spy comics owen

[@justinriley]

All I ask for is that the new Fantastic 4 movie be decent.

[@SirsasthNigam.]

I only have 1 condition Please be > Highest Rated Marvel Razzie and Lowest Rated MCU film =Closest to Daredevil film- Ant-Man and The Wasp :Quantumania- The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 46% with an average rating of 5.5/10, based on 410 reviews. The site's critics consensus reads: "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania mostly lacks the spark of fun that elevated earlier adventures, but Jonathan Majors' Kang is a thrilling villain poised to alter the course of the MCU." Closest to Inhumans- Secret Invasion- The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 53%, with an average score of 6.1/10, based on 197 reviews. The site's critic's consensus states: "A well-deserved showcase for Samuel L. Jackson, Secret Invasion steadies itself after a somewhat slow start by taking the MCU in a darker, more mature direction." The Marvel Razzies-1-Morbius-On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 15% based on 283 reviews, with an average rating of 3.8/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Cursed with uninspired effects, rote performances, and a borderline nonsensical story, this dreary mess is a vein [sic] attempt to make Morbius happen."[112] It ranks as the 16th worst-reviewed superhero movie on the site. 2-Daredevil film-On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes 43% of critics gave the film positive feedback, based on 228 reviews, with an average rating of 5.2/10. The critical consensus reads, "While Ben Affleck fits the role and the story is sporadically interesting, Daredevil is ultimately a dull, brooding origin story that fails to bring anything new to the genre." 3-Howard The Duck-Howard the Duck received mainly negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 13%, based on 83 reviews, with an average rating of 3.8/10, making it the lowest-rated Lucasfilm production. The site's consensus states: "While it has its moments, Howard the Duck suffers from an uneven tone and mediocre performances." Worst of Marvel-Fant4stic-On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 9% of 263 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Dull and downbeat, this Fantastic Four proves a woefully misguided attempt to translate a classic comic series without the humor, joy, or colorful thrills that made it great."[1] As of 2023, it the lowest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes out of all theatrical films based on Marvel Comics properties. The WORST of MCU-Inhumans-The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 11% approval rating, with an average rating of 3.70/10 based on 47 reviews. The website's consensus states, "Marvel's Inhumans sets a new low standard for the MCU with an unimaginative narrative, dull design work, weak characters, and disengaging soapy melodrama."Reviewing the season, Matt Liparota of Destructoid concluded, "Inhumans is a work with almost nothing of value for anyone. It's not even an interesting train wreck. It's just a boring, lifeless slog easily shooting to the top of the list of the worst things the MCU has produced in its near-decade of existence." The DC Razzies- Catwoman-On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 8% based on 197 reviews, with an average rating of 3.2/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Halle Berry is the lone bright spot, but even she can't save this laughable action thriller". BvS-On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 29% based on 439 reviews and an average rating of 5/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice smothers a potentially powerful story - and some of America's most iconic superheroes - in a grim whirlwind of effects-driven action."

[@jasonguinn6075]

I would have liked to see the Chris Columbus version.

[@HejaWolf]

This was so interesting to watch. Love the detail you put in, and I would love to have seen those different versions of the scripts come to life as those sound more in line with the Fantastic 4. I did enjoy the two F4 movies by Tim Story, but the biggest issue based on everything I heard is Fox didn't want to go big. They went cheap, but the Fantastic 4 have been big, bold, ambitious, something larger than life, so going for cheap didn't do the characters justice. With the announcement of the new Fantastic 4 movie and cast, I really hope they make the movie as big, bold, and ambitious as possible, but without losing the heart of the team, which is family. I have faith in it though. As always, great work Owen! Love your work!

[@ProjectJ3319]

This is another fascinating story documented here, but one thing in particular that I loved is how Owen spoke positively on Tim Story’s Fantastic 4 films and acknowledged not just how they managed to actually get many things right about the characters, but also how their success proved after a decades long journey that these characters could work beyond the comic pages. It’s really easy to rip apart movies online and people have been doing it for as long as there’s been a World Wide Web, so it’s always nice to see a more measured, understanding perspective. Job well done Owen!

[@bensneb360]

Definitely could have been an interesting movie, it seem to have a lot of potential. I just hope the new Maureen is very good and has a cool 60 style like X-Men first class

[@outpostalpha]

Super fascinating! Owen is the master of these "the movies/stories that almost got made" videos. Excellent work as always!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Glad you like them!

[@Zekrel]

6:36 Nando, is that you?! 🤯

[@TitularHeroine]

The best Fantastic Four has always been about the family drama, with a *huge* dose of overblown retro-futuristic science fiction. I hope the MCU gets it right. This was really interesting; thank you, Owen!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Couldn't agree more!

[@monrush]

I know it's been said a thousand times but The Incredibles already nailed it

[@jaymesEo6]

I think it's ironic it might take the 4th try to get the Fantastic 4 right.

[@pious83]

Fifth. The Corman movie is available to see. Which does make that the first (of four) FF movies.

[@jaymesEo6]

@@pious83 No. I included that one in my count. It's the fourth. The unofficial cash grab and the two 20th Century Fox attempts, and now the new Disney Marvel studios one.

[@pious83]

@@jaymesEo6 -Corman Movie -Tim Story's *two* movies -Josh Trank film That is four.

[@jaymesEo6]

@@pious83 I am not talking about the number of films I'm talking about the number of tries to get th franchise right.

[@pious83]

@@jaymesEo6 Which would still make the MCU film the fifth try.

[@JojoQuik]

Discovers the Americas and writes comics. What a legend.

[@willemdafoe6256]

What the hell is with the obsession with making Doom part of the space ship crew? It's not a great idea

[@erikwirfs-brock2432]

Hollywood loves tying in villains to heroe's origins to make thing 'simple', but Doom as another astronaut is definitely a dumb idea

[@TheCanelator]

Was thinking the same thing after every revision of the script hahaha

[@stephenjohnson9745]

I really enjoyed this video, but the title kinda feels like clickbait. The section of the video about Columbus is the shortest and, on the whole, the video is more about the overall development of what became the first Fox FF movie

[@adityahumnabadkar2626]

That timing is poetic

[@ScottCreley]

Dude you've been on a roll lately. Hickman made me love the FF, I pray for a good movie.

[@grantwarner9631]

Love that you’re finally getting ad sponsors!! It gives me hope for the future of comic book KZbin

[@Tymbus]

Wow! I'd never heard of this! Thanks!

[@GenerationWest]

Right on time Owen lol It's interesting seeing the ideas, and those VERY 90's designs, but glad the Tim Story movies at least turned into what it did... until Trank's version, and now finally, Marvel Studios FF, which will be one by default.

[@mattyboyb523]

Very enjoyable thank you Owen

[@Lanier2369]

This thing was leaked much earlier then being on KZbin. It was readily available on bootleg VHS being sold at comic book conventions (and I'm sure other places that sold bootleg movies). I bought a copy as early as mid 1996 or thereabouts. The movie I think was leaked from someone within if I'm not mistaken. But ya it wasn't long before bootlegs of the movie was floating around.

[@maxordman4100]

Awesome video analysis. I definitely want to find the time myself to look up the original 94 version someday. I have seen the documentary but I know I really need to experience the actual movie itself. This history is totally fascinating. The fantastic four will forever be one of my favorite comic book teams ever and I do look forward to the day when they have their own truly incredible movie. The 2005 film is definitely not terrible and I enjoy it to a certain extent but it will forever be short of the mark in some ways. Excellent job on this retrospective! Your channel is always awesome!

[@TheGreatDevlin]

Paul Walker as the Human Torch would've been decent. He would've been great in a capes and tights movie.

[@JoeLovesComics]

Interesting, great video!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Glad you think so!

[@JamesLawner]

John C. Riley as The Thing is inspired casting imo, I can totally hear him say, "It's Clobberin' Time!" in my head 😆😆

[@patrickangelobalasa]

The costumes at 1:27 look so spiritually like the Burton's Superman Lives costume that it could only come from the mid-to-late 90s.

[@NintendoHighSchool]

my favorite version is the one from Arrested Development. Did Tobias ever get his rocks off???

[@arsnic5818]

Stg Avi arad is a fucking menace

[@CorbinLeonard-rp4et]

Man i wish that there,s a good fantastic four movie

[@ElSorprendentePurpLes]

Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan would have been fire as Reed and Sue

[@jaymesEo6]

We almost had the most perfect cast if Doug had most of his options. If Alexis Denisolf, Charlize Theron, Paul Walker and Michael Chiklis (sorry no to Doug's pick) would have been awesome.

[@BionicRambutan]

We need to see the alternate universe where they released that movie. What is happening there? Is there a paradise or a living hell in that universe?

[@nicksmith2260]

Hey Owen! Love your channel! I’ve always meant to ask you… do you collect single issues or graphic novels?

[@OwenLikesComics]

Nowadays I'm mostly a trade buyer, but I do collect singles for certain books. I've bought every issue of the new Ultimate Marvel comics, as well as Fall of X.

[@samfisher6606]

Can I read this script? It sounds... fantastic!

[@OwenLikesComics]

I don't know if I can link them, but if you Google you should be able to find all the scripts I talk about in the video!

[@polyglot12]

Would love to have seen Quaid and Ryan in the film. Chabon's script outline sounds somewhat like the direction the new film is heading in.

[@NadeemShekh-uy9zn]

I hope the new fantastic four movies are great man

[@dimetruth]

I would not be surprised if the plot to the upcoming MCU FF film is close to this (the idyllic parallel-timeline-inspired 60s world and some sort of event that transports them to the modern-day MCU).

[@bradylewis1037]

Honestly that Thing doesn't look all that bad in the original.

[@corbinowens2437]

Ooooh Reed’s cast tho! Not sure how I feel about Thing tho

[@prodlilrasta]

please make a video on Chris Claremont's run on X-Men

[@christophera5055]

I’m just amazed at how almost every idea FOX shot down for this film was better than the ideas they decided were good.

[@SuperSaturdays]

France’s script didn’t sound too bad!! I would have loved to see that!

[@macrosense]

Jason Brant just reviewed the I’ll fated early 90s film

[@loveandpeace3345]

7:43 So did that video get delayed or something? Lol

[@OwenLikesComics]

I think so. I reached out to GodzillaMendoza over the weekend but I'm not sure when his video will be out. Once it is, I'll link it in the video!

[@alwayslaughin5394]

lol where’s that Godzilla Mendoza link my mans

[@OwenLikesComics]

His video should be up soon! Once it's live I'll link it.

[@Rijuo]

Has this film been leaked anywhere?

[@umbrumsoldier1544]

7:47 Is it me, or am I just confused? I don’t see a new video on GodzillaMendoza’s channel about the Roger Corman Fantastic Four.

[@OwenLikesComics]

GodzillaMendoza's video should hopefully be up tomorrow, as far as I know!

[@umbrumsoldier1544]

@@OwenLikesComics Aahh, I see. Thank you for letting me know. Great video btw, and can’t wait to see what he says about it tomorrow as well. 😁

[@NadeemShekh-uy9zn]

​@@OwenLikesComicsok

[@AP-pk6mk]

It looks like elements of Francis' screenplay are gonna be adapted exactly

[@Vtekkaaa]

Can you make more what could have been marvel and dc content

[@NadeemShekh-uy9zn]

When is godzillamendozas video coming out

[@morlath4767]

"the script was seemingly receaved well by those in Fox." Yeah, but as we know, Fox (and still Sony) can't stick to a decision to save their budget or company.

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

I've always had a soft spot for the FF ( they're the family of Marvel comics ) have a very GOOD rogue's gallery too. More adventurers than a super-hero team ( at least that's how I see them ) Byrne's run of the FF was very GOOD,I still remember the crudely drawn FF-vs-Gladiator issue by Byrne,it had terrible art.

[@parkeranimations3671]

what is the art from the thumbnail from?

[@OvertheHedge06]

20:25 Man, I wonder why he mentioned the Spider-Man and Batmab directors buy not the X-Men director

[@Shift_Salt]

KZbin broke and won't let my like the video wtf 😂

[@quietdemon8138]

Honestly even though the 1994 movie is cheap and schlocky I honestly respect it for it’s honest attempt to recreate the original 60s comics especially with the F4 costumes, The Thing and Doctor Doom their designs are completely faithful to the source material

[@busterchops]

Honestly?

[@redherringoffshoot2341]

they're gonna retry smth similar to the Beetles inspired idea w/ the movie that'll be coming out on 2025

[@adivorcee2357]

Unpopular opinion but the 2005 film is iconic

[@mr.sand7899]

If the MCU can't adapt the Fantastic Four right then I will accept these characters are just unadaptable.

[@busterchops]

MCU can't be trusted to do anything right with any characters right now. Maybe 10 years ago, but not now.

[@jmace2424]

😮 imagine if Warner had snatched up the Fantastic Four rights!

[@FabianEllis]

Nooo Michael Chabon the creator of Star Trek Picard and who also helped on Raimi's Spider-man2! This is heartbreaking. Kevin Feige there's still time to make this, just set it in the multiverse!

[@kennyjive5780]

I mean Paul Walker technically did get to be The Human Torch after all…

[@FN64Productions]

@21:08 Wait....what did you just say?

[@pious83]

Funny that all of those pitches seemed better films than Tim Story's or Josh Trank's. Hopefully fifth time will be the charm for the FF on the big screen. Hopefully, Doom won't be part of the crew this time either. He really shouldn't be.

[@thespiderpumpkinstudioz3328]

7:42 there is no such video or link?

[@OwenLikesComics]

GodzillaMendoza's video should be up asap, as far as I know. Once he posts it, it'll be linked in the description and in a card during the video!

[@mathieuleader8601]

if you want a good F4 film I feel like the Fantastic needs to be an animated feature

[@marveler8994]

Avi Arad is always involved in something marvel related flopping/ having weird restrictions huh

[@jbarlak]

Not untold when fans read comics

[@datawoods830]

Just got here from Godzilla Mendoza

[@FabianEllis]

Glad we didn't get the Peter Segal version

[@Lanier2369]

And I always thought the Tim story movies were good and enjoyable. Ya they weren't perfect but they were fun. I have both on blu-ray and I'll watch them regularly. Fan4atick on the other hand...I wouldn't have minded if they tried to do the same thing they did with the 90s FF (not release it, destroy all copies possible, etc...)

[@sophiawilson8696]

I like 2015 F4 Movie.

[@mttylerdurden9]

The only Chris Columbus we like.

[@JonnyBoySalmeron]

Man they’ve been pushing a 1960’s FF forever eh?

[@cf-Ent]

Watched the full thing on KZbin in 2014 was trying to watch the reboot that came out The movie wasn't the best

[@coyotefever105]

I think Tim Story got the essence of Fantastic Four but the script didn’t have them do much superhero stuff (at least first movie). It was more corny

[@Akkbar21]

Sadly FF doesn’t work on film. Stretching looks silly and I fear the MCU will make another turkey. It times to just move on

[@NadeemShekh-uy9zn]

Wrong