Screen Scene Thursday: ‘Fantastic Four’

Sam Vander Forest

Although I could have written about the new “Jurassic World” TV spot, “Ted 2” or how a sequel to “John Wick” is already being prepared, I thought I’d talk about something a little more under the radar. The trailer that’s been released most recently that many may not know about is “Fantastic Four.”

Yes, it’s another reboot, but here’s why audiences should be excited about it. First, the cast seems a lot more promising than the last time around. Second, the director change was huge. And third, the writers this time around are meant for this genre.

First off, we must discuss the cast. The stars of the film include Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell. Miles Teller has shined these past few years, breaking out into truly testing and excruciatingly good roles. Kate Mara has done the same and has been a part of one of the best television shows to air in a long time. Michael B. Jordan gave the performance of a lifetime in the true story “Fruitvale Station.” Jamie Bell has already proven himself worthy of the Science Fiction genre in “Jumper.” Although Jessica Alba was the highlight of the old “Fantastic Four” films, I have a pretty good feeling that this cast will deliver a much less cliché rendition.

Next up is the director. The studio that brought you “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” which is the first superhero film to ever get an Oscar nod, decided to bring in a more gritty director this time around, Josh Trank. The last director, Tim Story, was not meant for this genre or universe and I have no idea how he was greenlit to do it. His résumé consists of comedies and romantic comedies, which is probably why everyone was laughing when leaving the theater after “Fantastic Four.” Don’t get me wrong, I love the comedies he’s worked on, but delving into Marvel’s universe just wasn’t for him.

Lastly, the writers are meant to do this. The only acceptable writer in the last “Fantastic Four” film was Michael France, who is credited with writing both “Goldeneye” AND “The Punisher.” Other than that, the writers were Disney writers and the film was destined to be childish. Now, however, they have Simon Kinberg and Jack Kirby. Kinberg has multiple action and Sci-Fi films under his belt such as multiple “X-Men” installations, “Sherlock Holmes” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Kirby, on the other hand, is Marvel’s go-to-writer for all of the films in their cinematic universe. He has had a hand in every single Marvel movie since “The Hulk” in 2008, and has been a part of comic book stories for years prior.

As you can see, this reboot of Marvel’s first ever superhero team seems to be in good hands. The trailer was brief but set the tone and universe for the film without giving too much information away, which is just what the producers wanted. Check out the trailer here.