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Time Out
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
‘The Fantastic Four' film they won't let you see (and how to watch it)
'I want a Fantastic Four flick, and I don't want it good – I want it Tuesday!' With these immortal words, German producer Bernd Eichinger commissioned legendary independent filmmaker Roger Corman to make a film based on Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four. The twist? It was never meant to be seen by the public. In the first issue of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's The Fantastic Four comic, published in November 1961, four astronauts – inventor Reed Richards, his scientist fiancée Susan Storm, her younger brother Johnny, and their friend Ben Grimm – were granted superpowers following exposure to an alien phenomenon during the first spaceflight of their experimental rocket. Richards was reborn as 'Mr. Fantastic', able to elongate any part of his body; Susan became 'The Invisible Girl' (self-explanatory); hot-headed Johnny could ignite himself into living flame, becoming 'The Human Torch'; most tragically, Ben's body took on stone-like properties, granting him superhuman strength and the nickname 'The Thing'. It was an instant success, but – Invisible Girl aside – the special effects required to bring such superpowers to the screen were not available to filmmakers until the late 1980s. It was then that Eichinger took an open-ended option to make a Fantastic Four film, on the proviso that it entered production by the end of 1992. In the meantime, Tim Burton's Batman became one of cinema's biggest ever box office and merchandising success stories, opening the doors to anyone with the rights to a hot superhero property. Eichinger hatched a plan as brilliant, cunning and diabolical as any the Fantastic Four's nemesis, Dr Doom, had ever dreamed up. By making an ultra-low-budget film, the producer could hold onto the rights, hoping that in the meantime, he would be able to set up a big deal at a major studio. If such a deal could not be made, the producer would still be left holding the negative of a Fantastic Four film, which could be released at a profit. Roger Corman, who – according to the title of his own autobiography – 'Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime' was chosen to make the film, and Oley Sassone (Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight) was hired to direct. Principal photography began on Boxing Day 1992, just five days before the rights were due to expire. It lasted a mere four weeks. The producer hatched a plan as cunning and diabolical as any of Dr Doom's Alex Hyde-White and Rebecca Staab played Reed Richards and Susan Storm respectively; actor/stuntman Carl Ciarfalio (The Incredible Hulk Returns) donned a convincingly concrete costume to play Ben Grimm, while Jay Underwood burned his scalp and almost fried his hair off, dying his brown locks blond to play Johnny Storm. Lee had longed to see his self-styled 'World's Greatest Comic Book' on screen, but understandably had concerns about the $1.5 million budget – a fraction of Batman's $35 million price tag. 'I have a sentimental attachment to The Fantastic Four,' he said, 'and I was heartbroken to think it might appear only as a low-budget quickie'. Then, just days before its January 1994 premiere, it emerged that Eichinger had bought back the film's negative, intending to shelve it – permanently. 'I feel very, very sorry for the actors and the director and most of the people involved in it,' a disappointed Lee commented. Six months later, 20th Century Fox announced that it had secured the rights from Eichinger, hiring Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire director Chris Columbus to direct a brand new $40 million movie, with real-life couple Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan tipped to star. Corman's budget-challenged yet well-meaning production would be relegated to fuzzy bootlegs sold at comic conventions and under the counters of video rental stores. Ironically, Columbus' film never happened, torpedoed by post- Batman superhero flops such as The Phantom and The Shadow. It would be another decade before Fox cashed in on the noughties success of The X-Men and Spider-Man by making a Fantastic Four film, with the then-unknown Chris Evans – Marvel's future Captain America – as Johnny Storm. A year before its 2005 release, moviegoers had marvelled at another family of superheroes, featuring super-strong inventor Mr Incredible and his wife, stretchy superhero Elastigirl, clearly a riff on the Fantastic Four. The success of The Incredibles did not doom the box office prospects of The Fantastic Four, however: it was as big a hit as The X-Men. But the 2007 sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer, was a flop and a third film failed to materialise. Now, as Marvel's own The Fantastic Four: First Steps towers over the summer box office like the shadow of Galactus, Roger Corman's 1994 version remains officially unreleased anywhere in the world.
The Star
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Superman' versus 'Fantastic Four': Who wins the red carpet style showdown?
From left: Isabela Merced, Vanessa Kirby and Rachel Brosnahan have been spotted upping their fashion game at their respective film premieres. Photo composite: Agencies When superheroes swap capes for fabulous designs, the results are nothing short of spectacular. The stars of Superman and Fantastic Four have confidently stepped into the fashion spotlight. Their recent press appearances reveal a new kind of superpower: impressive style. With each stop of their promotional tour, these leading actors are redefining what it means to dress like a hero – one impeccably tailored suit or statement dress at a time. This brings to mind the fashion face-off between the Barbie and Oppenheimer casts back in 2023, where the competition spilled over from the box office to the red carpet. Read more: 'Barbenheimer' fashion: Red carpet square-off between 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Barbie channelled a vibrant, pink, and glittering aesthetic, while Oppenheimer leaned into a darker, more sombre elegance rooted in timeless tailoring. The contrast not only influenced fashion trends but also sparked conversations about each film's visual and cultural impact. A similar dynamic emerged with last year's Wicked and Gladiator releases – one whimsical and theatrical, the other gritty and grounded. For Superman and Fantastic Four, however, the contrast is not so stark. Instead, it has evolved into a stylish game of one-upmanship, with each star delivering yet another lesson in suave or glamorous dressing. It's worth noting that Superman belongs to the DC Comics universe, while Fantastic Four is part of Marvel Comics' world. With very different – and fiercely loyal – fan bases, the competition between the two camps can be intense. So far, Nicholas Hoult has come out swinging for Superman, photographed in sleek, designer ensembles at nearly every appearance. Read more: Michelle Yeoh and stars of 'Wicked' bring fashion A-game to film's premieres Pedro Pascal, meanwhile, brings his signature charm and effortless cool to Fantastic Four events, often opting for classic silhouettes with bold, fashion-forward twists. Other cast members like David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Isabela Merced made a strong impression at the Superman premiere in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Vanessa Kirby, Julia Garner and Joseph Quinn turned heads in standout looks at the Fantastic Four's London premiere. In recent years, red carpet fashion has become a marketing tool in its own right – not just to generate buzz, but to visually extend the world of a film beyond the screen. Apparel and accessories are now meticulously curated to reflect a film's characters, tone, or overall identity, blurring the lines between costume, campaign, and occasionally, couture.
Courier-Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Fantastic Four: Emmy-winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach on juggling The Bear and The Thing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Movies. Followed categories will be added to My News. He may not be the loudest name on the poster, but Ebon Moss-Bachrach might just be Marvel's most inspired casting choice yet. Known for his raw, emotionally charged performance in the Emmy-winning series The Bear, the 48-year-old New Yorker is stepping into an entirely different kind of chaos, playing Ben Grimm, also known as The Thing, in Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps. With the film marking the official kick-off to phase six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, anticipation has been off the charts. But while much of the early buzz has swirled around big ticket names like Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, it's Moss-Bachrach's grounded, gritty take on a rock-covered superhero that's shaping up to be one of the film's most intriguing talking points. 'I really wanted to try to honour and fight for the character,' he says from a Sydney hotel during the film's global press tour. 'You feel that responsibility, and you feel how much it means to people and that's inspiring. 'I wanted to give it as much dignity and strength as I could, and you have to inhabit them the best you can. As soon as you start making [it], as soon as you're in the scene, all that kind of stuff goes away. There's no time for that, to think about those things.' Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Vanessa Kirby of "]The Fantastic Four: First Steps in Sydney this week. Picture: Getty Images After a dodgy unreleased effort in 1994, two moderate successes in 2005 and 2007 and a big-budget bomb in 2015, this iteration of Marvel Comics' much loved characters is styled with a retro-futuristic lens and set in an alternate 1960s-inspired universe. Alongside Moss-Bachrach is Joseph Quinn, fresh off his Stranger Things fame, playing Johnny Storm (also known as the Human Torch). Following in the footsteps of Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan in the original films, Quinn acknowledged the high expectations, but insisted this version stands on its own. 'I don't think any interpretation of any character is in opposition to any previous interpretation,' Quinn says. 'I think, in its very nature, it is going to be different because it's coming from a different actor.' Pedro Pascal. Picture: Getty Images Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing and Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantantastic. Picture: Marvel He recalled watching the 2005 and 2015 adaptations growing up. 'Chris Evans so brilliantly played Johnny Storm in those films … it's just, this is a new chapter, and it's a new interpretation and I'm very excited to be a part of it.' But while Quinn may be newer to the scene, Moss-Bachrach has been slowly and deliberately building a career that spans indie dramas, off beat comedies, and period pieces. From early appearances in John Adams and Girls, to acclaimed turns in series like The Punisher, Moss-Bachrach's resume reads like a masterclass in restraint and emotional nuance. His portrayal of Richie in The Bear has been lauded by critics for capturing vulnerability, rage, grief, and joy in one character and even earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He was nominated again this week for the same role in the most recent season. Vanessa Kirby at the Sydney premiere. Picture: Getty Images This year, Ebon Moss-Bachrach has been just about everywhere. Between The Bear and Fantastic Four, he has barely had time to slow down, though he did manage the occasional breather. 'We shot this movie for a long time,' Moss-Bachrach says, referring to Fantastic Four: First Steps. 'I did have a little bit of a break, but there was also a period of time when I was on double duty and going back and forth between Chicago and London, where we shot Fantastic Four.' He described the contrast between his two biggest projects. 'The Bear is a small set. It's mostly in one location. It's very much actor and writer driven,' he says. 'And this … we're such a sort of small bit. There's so many other departments on this, with visual effects and so much. We're [part of] such a bigger world.' Despite the difference in scale, the emotional foundation remained key. For Moss-Bachrach, the success of the film hinged on the family dynamic between the four leads. 'It's been an absolute dream,' he explains. 'It's been so nice. You know, there's just four of us. We have a lot of love between us. I think if even one of us was sort of outside, the movie wouldn't work the way it does. And I think if the movie does work, a large part of that is because of the respect and love and admiration that we share.' Quinn echoes the sentiment. 'While there are many bright things about this process, that's been, the overriding gift of it is being able to spend time with Ebon, Vanessa, and Pedro.' The chemistry between the cast appears to be a driving force behind the film's tone, a blend of nostalgia, emotional intimacy, and superhero spectacle. Joseph Quinn. Picture: Getty Images 'So much of the nostalgia is delivered through the art department and the writing and the circumstances and the sets and everything,' Moss-Bachrach says. 'I think our jobs are really to try to bring … our hearts and bring our openness and vulnerability and share in this and our love for each other as a family. I feel like that was our job.' As Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps prepares to hit cinemas on July 25, anticipation is sky high. The franchise has long been a cornerstone of Marvel lore, introducing Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm to the comic world in 1961, and now it's been re-imagined for a new era. Pedro Pascal leads as Mister Fantastic, with Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, and a tight knit cast is what fans are hoping is finally the successful launch the franchise deserves. Meanwhile, Joseph Quinn has had no shortage of high profile roles, including a spot in Gladiator II, but he insists it hasn't gone to his head. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'No, it doesn't [feel like things have gone into hyperspeed]. I feel grateful. I feel grateful to be working with people that I admire.' As for Moss-Bachrach, after juggling two wildly different productions and emerging as a central figure in both, he is ready to take a breath. After all the madness, he's got one thing on his mind – a holiday. 'I'm going to Greece with my family,' Moss-Bachrach says with a smile. The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in cinemas on July 24. Read the full interviews in Stellar on Friday, in today's papers. The latest issue of Stellar is out on Sunday via The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland) and Sunday Mail (SA). Originally published as 'You feel that responsibility': How Ebon Moss-Bachrach juggled The Bear and Marvel's Fantastic Four
New Paper
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
S'pore teen may have world's largest collection of Galactus comics
As the second reboot of the Marvel superhero film franchise that kicked off in 2005, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will no doubt serve up something familiar for fans. But director Matt Shakman's new version marks the first time supervillain Galactus is fully depicted on the big screen since his creation in 1966 by renowned American comic creators Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Portrayed by British actor Ralph Ineson, the cosmic being who feeds on entire worlds to stay vital is arguably one of the top comic-book "big bads" of all time. When First Steps opens in Singapore cinemas on July 24, local teenager Lael Lee will be going to watch it not for Marvel Comics' "First Family", but for his favourite character Galactus. Says the 14-year-old: "From what I've seen in the trailers, there's a lot going on in the film. I don't think Galactus will play a significant part. But the actor they've cast seems cool, so hopefully they do Galactus justice." Just as many classic superheroes have secret identities, so too does Lael. By day, he is a soft-spoken Secondary 3 student at Assumption English School. By evening - or whenever he is done with his schoolwork - he is a mega fan of Galactus, and might have amassed the world's largest collection of comics which include the character. Lael has already accumulated 854 of these, and says the second-biggest collection he is aware of numbers around 200. He has his eyes set on another 20 or so Galactus-covered comics to make for a richer and more complete set. Galactus superfan Lael Lee pictured with part of his collection of comics and paraphernalia at his home on June 23, 2025. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Lael's father Ernest Lee - a human resources (HR) professional and erstwhile comics fan in his 40s - is the boy's partner and sidekick in this quest. "My dad is very supportive of the hobby, mainly because he was a comics collector too. So he funds a portion of the comics I buy," says Lael, who has inherited Mr Lee's collection of around 150 comics from the 1990s and shares his finds on his Galactus-centric Instagram account @galactus_hunter96. It comprises mainly X-Men and Image Comics, an independent American comics publisher founded in the early 1990s by a group of prominent Marvel artists. Lael's interest in Galactus actually predates his interest in comics, via the Marvel Snap digital collectible card game that he first discovered via Instagram. "Galactus' card is very powerful and fun to use, and that took me down the rabbit hole. I just wanted to find out more about him," he says. Since only two or so of Mr Lee's comics included Galactus, Lael turned to the Marvel Unlimited digital app to read up. The app is essentially a digital library of most Marvel Comics published, available for a monthly subscription fee. Galactus superfan Lael Lee pictured with some of this collection of comics and paraphernalia at his home on 23 June, 2025. The Straits Times As many young people do when they develop a new fixation, Lael began to rack up merchandise related to his burgeoning interest: figurines, statues and signed artwork. He says: "Seeing my Galactus comics collection grow gives me a lot of energy. I don't read the paper comics though. I treat them like art, like they are an investment. I don't want the monetary value to be affected." He purchased each comic for anywhere between $5 and $150, with the exception of a limited-edition cover that cost about $200, and estimates he has spent more than $16,000 in total. But Lael and his father suspect that some individual comics might be worth more than the price they paid, especially those that are rare, signed or in mint condition. All of Lael's 854 Galactus comics are stored in plastic sleeves with acid-free backing boards in his condominium bedroom, which is kept cool and as free of humidity as possible via the air-conditioning system and a dehumidifier. No one else in his family of four is allowed to touch the books, except maybe Mr Lee. "Just like many teens, Lael is at an age where he is finding himself and his interests. As parents, it is important that we encourage and support them in doing so," Mr Lee says. He adds: "Lael always saves up his weekly allowance (of $50 a week) to pay for his comics. But as a one-time enthusiast myself, I can't help but co-fund covers that are just spectacular, masterful works of human art untouched by artificial intelligence." It is a family affair, as Lael's mother Adeline Lee, also an HR professional in her 40s, organises the logistics of importing any comics ordered online. On the family's Europe vacation in June, Lael's nine-year-old sister helped him dig through back-issue collections at the various comic shops they stopped at. During the June school holiday, Lael spent a few days as an intern at Comic Grail Vault shop in Sim Lim Square. In addition to giving him a small internship allowance that he uses to fund more comics purchases, the store has also been an invaluable source - it was where he got his first Galactus comic. Mrs Lee says: "I don't know much about comics, but this 'mission' has given Lael and his father something to do together and bond over." She adds: "We do still have some ground rules - the most important of which is that he keeps up with his schoolwork." Lael and Mr Lee have begun the paperwork with Guinness World Records to certify the teen's Galactus collection as being the biggest in the world. So what comes next after he receives confirmation of his record-breaking target? "To get those comics signed by the artists and writers who created them," Lael says without hesitation.
The Star
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Singapore teen amasses what might be the world's biggest collection of Galactus comics
SINGAPORE: As the second reboot of the Marvel superhero film franchise that kicked off in 2005, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will no doubt serve up something familiar for fans. But director Matt Shakman's new version marks the first time supervillain Galactus is fully depicted on the big screen since his creation in 1966 by renowned American comic creators Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Portrayed by British actor Ralph Ineson, the cosmic being who feeds on entire worlds to stay vital is arguably one of the top comic-book 'big bads' of all time. When First Steps opens in Singapore cinemas on July 24, local teenager Lael Lee will be going to watch it not for Marvel Comics' 'First Family', but for his favourite character Galactus. Says the 14-year-old: 'From what I've seen in the trailers, there's a lot going on in the film. I don't think Galactus will play a significant part. But the actor they've cast seems cool, so hopefully they do Galactus justice.' Just as many classic superheroes have secret identities, so too does Lael. By day, he is a soft-spoken Secondary 3 student at Assumption English School. By evening – or whenever he is done with his schoolwork – he is a mega fan of Galactus, and might have amassed the world's largest collection of comics which include the character. Lael has already accumulated 854 of these, and says the second-biggest collection he is aware of numbers around 200. He has his eyes set on another 20 or so Galactus-covered comics to make for a richer and more complete set. Lael's father Ernest Lee – a human resources (HR) professional and erstwhile comics fan in his 40s – is the boy's partner and sidekick in this quest. 'My dad is very supportive of the hobby, mainly because he was a comics collector too. So he funds a portion of the comics I buy,' says Lael, who has inherited Ernest's collection of around 150 comics from the 1990s and shares his finds on his Galactus-centric Instagram account @galactus_hunter96. It comprises mainly X-Men and Image Comics, an independent American comics publisher founded in the early 1990s by a group of prominent Marvel artists. Lael's interest in Galactus actually predates his interest in comics, via the Marvel Snap digital collectible card game that he first discovered via Instagram. 'Galactus' card is very powerful and fun to use, and that took me down the rabbit hole. I just wanted to find out more about him,' he says. Since only two or so of Ernest's comics included Galactus, Lael turned to the Marvel Unlimited digital app to read up. The app is essentially a digital library of most Marvel Comics published, available for a monthly subscription fee. As many young people do when they develop a new fixation, Lael began to rack up merchandise related to his burgeoning interest: figurines, statues and signed artwork. He says: 'Seeing my Galactus comics collection grow gives me a lot of energy. I don't read the paper comics though. I treat them like art, like they are an investment. I don't want the monetary value to be affected.' He purchased each comic for anywhere between S$5 and $150, with the exception of a limited-edition cover that cost about $200, and estimates he has spent more than $16,000 in total. But Lael and his father suspect that some individual comics might be worth more than the price they paid, especially those that are rare, signed or in mint condition. All of Lael's 854 Galactus comics are stored in plastic sleeves with acid-free backing boards in his condominium bedroom, which is kept cool and as free of humidity as possible via the air-conditioning system and a dehumidifier. No one else in his family of four is allowed to touch the books, except maybe Ernest. 'Just like many teens, Lael is at an age where he is finding himself and his interests. As parents, it is important that we encourage and support them in doing so,' Ernest says. He adds: 'Lael always saves up his weekly allowance (of $50 a week) to pay for his comics. But as a one-time enthusiast myself, I can't help but co-fund covers that are just spectacular, masterful works of human art untouched by artificial intelligence.' It is a family affair, as Lael's mother Adeline Lee, also an HR professional in her 40s, organises the logistics of importing any comics ordered online. On the family's Europe vacation in June, Lael's nine-year-old sister helped him dig through back-issue collections at the various comic shops they stopped at. During the June school holiday, Lael spent a few days as an intern at Comic Grail Vault shop in Sim Lim Square. In addition to giving him a small internship allowance that he uses to fund more comics purchases, the store has also been an invaluable source – it was where he got his first Galactus comic. Adeline says: 'I don't know much about comics, but this 'mission' has given Lael and his father something to do together and bond over.' She adds: 'We do still have some ground rules – the most important of which is that he keeps up with his schoolwork.' Lael and Ernest have begun the paperwork with Guinness World Records to certify the teen's Galactus collection as being the biggest in the world. So what comes next after he receives confirmation of his record-breaking target? 'To get those comics signed by the artists and writers who created them,' Lael says without hesitation. - The Straits Times/ANN
