Latest news with #Shakman
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Fantastic Four' Director Matt Shakman Reveals the ‘Magical' Comics That Inspired the Film in ‘Small and Large Ways' (EXCLUSIVE)
Before Iron Man, before the Hulk, before Spider-Man, there was the Fantastic Four. The quartet of astronauts transformed into superheroes were Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's first creation for Marvel Comics, launching the sprawling storytelling universe of interconnected characters that has endured for 64 years. Until Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019, however, Reed Richards (a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (a.k.a. the Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (a.k.a. the Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (a.k.a. the Thing), as were unable to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That will finally change in July with the premiere of Marvel Studios' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' starring Pedro Pascal as Reed, Vanessa Kirby as Sue, Joseph Quinn as Johnny and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben. To marshal Marvel's First Family into the MCU, studio chief Kevin Feige tapped veteran director Matt Shakman, who helmed every episode of Marvel's first streaming series, 'WandaVision,' as well as episodes of 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,' 'Succession,' 'Game of Thrones,' 'The Great,' 'The Boys,' 'Fargo,' 'The Good Wife' and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.' More from Variety Marvel Studios Skipping Comic-Con Hall H Panel for 2025 As Comic Book Movies Scale Back Releases, Marvel and DC Look to This Summer to Decide the Future of Superhero Cinema David Tennant Says He Had His 'Eye On' the Role of Reed Richards in 'The Fantastic Four' Before Pedro Pascal Was Cast: 'They've Gone in a Different Direction' Beyond his extensive resume, Shakman's biggest qualification for the job is his love for the Fantastic Four comics, as demonstrated in the foreward the filmmaker penned for the new Marvel Premiere Collection release, 'Fantastic Four: Solve Everything' — which Variety is exclusively previewing below. The volume, which goes on sale June 3, is a streamlined collection of Fantastic Four comics published between 2009 and 2011 (i.e. issues #570–588) written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Dale Eaglesham, Neil Edwards and Steve Epting, and cover art by Joe Quesada. In his foreward, Shakman singles out Hickman's work — and this particular run of issues — as a major influence on the new 'Fantastic Four' movie. Among several curious allusions to FF storylines and characters, the director specifically cites three of Hickman's inventions — Reed's philanthropic Future Foundation, the multiverse portal the Bridge, and the interdimensional Council of Reeds. How these may (or may not) be incorporated into the movie remains to be seen, but Shakman's love for the comics, and for these characters, is abundantly clear. Fantastic Four: Solve EverythingForeward By Matt Shakman I fell in love with the Fantastic Four when I was a kid growing up in Ventura, California. Encountering a family of super heroes that felt so familiar blew my mind: the humor, the heart, the sniping and griping, the messiness. At the same time, I was taken by the optimism and wonder of their world. With their roots in the '60s space race, the F4 have always been about exploration — whether it is to the cosmos or the Negative Zone or deep into the human mind. Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny may have incredible powers, but they are family first, scientists and explorers second and super heroes only when absolutely necessary. Every Marvel filmmaker attempts to build on what has come before in publishing while simultaneously reinventing the characters for the current moment. The same is true with comic creators. What Lee and Kirby launched in the '60s changed Marvel forever. Their bold gamble to center a realistic family turned into the biggest hit of the early Silver Age. Every artist and writer since has attempted to build on that legacy while finding something in the characters that made them sparkle anew. In preparation for Marvel Studios' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' I delved into the 60-plus years of comics history. Marvel's First Family has been continuously cared for by the best and brightest the company had to offer. None shone so bright as Jonathan Hickman. The humor and heart I loved as a kid? It's there and better than ever. The messy family dynamics? Made even more interesting as Val and Franklin take center stage. And that sense of optimism and wonder? I don't think the Fantastic Four have been quite as fantastic as they are in the pages of this book. As we developed the script for the film, I returned again and again to this epic run — thrilled by brain-bending innovations like the Council of Reeds and riveted by heroic standoffs against the likes of Annihilus. But it was Hickman's deep insight into the specific family dynamics of the Four that affected me the most. His Reed Richards is part Steve Jobs and part Oppenheimer, always on the edge of saving the world or destroying it. The author runs right at Mister Fantastic's weakness: believing that he can and should do it all on his own. Reed is determined to 'Solve Everything' — but he learns that the cost of solving everything is… everything. Ultimate knowledge risks ultimate sacrifice: the loss of his family. Sue has come a long way from the 'Invisible Girl' of the early '60s. In these pages, she is part United Nations Secretary General and part Field Marshal, backing up diplomacy with force when necessary. Hickman's Sue may be the most powerful member of the Four — she's the glue that holds the world together while Reed experiments in the lab with things that could destroy it. She brokers deals as the world's finest diplomat, ending up as the Queen of the Sea. In one of my favorite F4 moments, she declares to Namor, 'I am a Queen that bows before no King.' Damn right. How do these two very different people make up the greatest marriage in comics history? We see, page after page, that the secret is their unique balance of heart and mind. Before Jerry Maguire, these two completed each other. Sue and Reed are relatable not just as partners, but also as parents. We understand their anxiety, fretting over the destiny of Val and Franklin just as I fret over my 9-year-old daughter's future. I cherish the family intimacy of scenes in the Baxter Building and never doubt that these parents love their children and would do anything to protect their future. I know that Johnny and Ben would do the same. And we know that, as super heroes, they will fight just as hard to protect our world. Having absorbed six decades of F4 publishing, many of Hickman's magical moments and unique character dynamics stick with me. And they made it into our film in small and large ways. From Sue as a diplomat to Reed trying to solve everything even at the risk of imperiling his family. Johnny's need to be taken seriously. Ben's gentle nature, forever at odds with his appearance. The Future Foundation. The Bridge. The mystery of children and the anxiety we have as parents about their future. Hickman is a poet, of both the everyday and the extraordinary. His work beats with a heart as big as Sue Storm's, rendering an emotional journey that culminates in a scene that makes me tear up every time I read it. (I won't ruin it… just wait for 'Uncles.') His writing is thrilling, thought-provoking and tender…and, like the characters he writes about, fantastic. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Missouri man bought a trailer online — but says ‘the only way' to get the title was to sue the state
Ben Shakman, a Wildwood, Missouri resident, purchased a trailer on Facebook Marketplace for $3,500 years ago and thought all was fine. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) But when he went to the license office to register the vehicle, the title was deemed incomplete because the sale price was missing. He told FOX 2 the state took 294 days to notify him of the problem. Despite his best efforts, Shakman wasn't able to add his name to the title. Strangely enough, he claims he was eventually asked by the state to take extreme measures against the state itself. 'I went to the courthouse in Clayton, and I did something I've never done. I sued the state of Missouri,' he said. A skip title is when someone purchases a vehicle and doesn't get the title in their name before selling it to someone else. This, FOX 2 says, was the issue facing Shakman. A person who is involved in this sort of 'title jumping' bypasses requirements like paying title transfer fees, taxes and registration fees. There ends up being a gap in the vehicle's history. According to Kelly Blue Book, a title proves ownership, while a car's registration allows a vehicle to be legally driven. You usually can't register a car without a title. Shakman told reporters that his initial check to register the trailer was cashed. However, he didn't find out about the deficiency in his paperwork — there was no sales price in the title — until almost a year later. When he attempted to provide more paperwork, the Department of Revenue told him he needed affidavits. 'And then after I talked to the state, it was now the only way you're getting a title is by suing us, and here's how to do it,' Shakman said. Shockingly, state government officials instructed him to sue the state in order to get his title. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it In November, Shakman filed a petition asking for the state of Missouri to give him his title and to pay back some of the fees he paid. On April 1, he appeared in court and was finally awarded his title. In mid-May he was in court again and was awarded $100, a portion of the fees he had paid for the registration. 'I can't believe the man-hours that must've gone into processing that action I submitted,' he said. 'It just doesn't make sense.' To avoid purchasing a vehicle with a skip title, do your research. Verify the identity of the seller and ask them to provide proof of ownership history. The documentation could include copies of registration documents, the title in their name and any maintenance records. You'll also want to verify whether there is still a lien and how this person intends on settling the debt. If you're purchasing a car from a dealer, keep all documentation as they're obligated to ensure a proper title transfer. Usually the dealership will also register the vehicle for you. Whether you purchase from an individual seller or a dealership, register the vehicle as soon as possible and verify that the title has been transferred in your name. If you realize you have been title jumped, you may have to take legal action. Consult an attorney about next steps. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Man alleges government employees told him to ‘sue the state of Mo.' to resolve title issue
WILDWOOD, Mo. — When FOX 2 first interviewed Ben Shakman in November 2024, he told us he'd been waiting nearly 300 days for the Missouri Department of Revenue to issue him a title for this trailer he purchased on Facebook Marketplace. '$3,500 is what I spent for it, and I attempted to register it, and 294 days later, the state sent me a letter saying that there's a problem,' Shakman said. The issue involves what's called a 'skip title.' In this case, the trailer's original owner, 'Owner A,' sold it and transferred the title to 'Owner B.' Months later, 'Owner B' sold the trailer to Ben. The problem is, 'Owner B' never titled the trailer. When Ben went to the license office to register it, the title was deemed incomplete because the sale price was missing. Ben says he wrote it in and attempted to prove what he paid for the trailer, but Department of Revenue officials tell us that wasn't the proper way to handle it and further complicated matters. 'And the request was, well, we need affidavits. And then after I talked to the state, it was now the only way you're getting a title is by suing us, and here's how to do it,' Shakman said. Ben tells us he discussed the issue with his state representatives, DOR staff, and even the governor's office. 'I said, you must have a process to make this easier for people to follow. Nope. No website, no guide, no pamphlet, no video—none of those things exist,' Shakman said. So Ben did what he says he was told to do. 'I went to the courthouse in Clayton, and I did something I've never done. I sued the state of Missouri,' Shakman said. In the petition Ben filed in November, he not only asked the court to order the state to produce his title, but he also requested a refund for a portion of the fees he says he paid. 'I asked, how is it reasonable that it took the state 294 days to get around to notify me of a deficiency in my paperwork? Didn't take them 294 days to cash my check. That happened the same day, but somehow it took 294 days for them to get around to notify me. And I asked, I pushed back on that, how is this reasonable service? And what I got was a bunch of excuses and no answer,' Shakman said. On April 1, nearly five months after our first interview and 451 days since he first tried to title his trailer, Ben got his day in court. 'We came in today seeking a declaratory judgment. Basically, the judge is telling the court to give this guy his title. And at the end of the day, the judge told the state to give this guy his title, and that's a victory,' Shakman said. The judge also scheduled a court date for May 13 to address the other remedies Ben wanted. 'The judge awarded me the second piece, which is the whopping sum of $100. I can't believe the man-hours that must've gone into processing that action I submitted, bringing an attorney into court, and trying up court for about an hour over $100. It just doesn't make sense,' Shakman said. In a statement, the Missouri Department of Revenue tells us it handled more than 1.8 million titles last year, with 98% processed in less than seven days. In the referenced situation, there were title deficiencies that required a declaratory judgment by the court. Once the court adjusted these deficiencies, a title could then be issued to the buyer. Ben says he wants the state to make it easier for others in the future. 'It's disgusting to me the notion that this is the way the state of Missouri handles skip titles. It would take so much less for the state of Missouri to adopt some other process. I would suggest that's wastefulness on the part of our state government,' Shakman said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
