By now, you must have heard that Fantastic Four didn't just flop in the US, but also across the world, with the studio set to lose about $60 million by the end of the cinematographic run. And, despite the rumors, you must have also heard that Fox still wants make Fantastic Four movies.
So what did we learn from all of this debacle? What can the studio do in order to avoid failing yet again? Well, for starters, they can forget about presenting yet another origin story, if they intend to reboot yet again the series, because we already know who these characters are.
Then, they can take a closer look to these following storylines, as a source of inspiration (because we already know that the studio will become creative at a moment or another).
The Galactus Trilogy
Sure enough, Fox attempted to bring both Galactus and Silver Surfer in 2007's Fantastic Four film. But it wasn't at all what the fans expected. Though the film doubled its budget worldwide, it could have been much better (way better) than what was presented to us.
The Galactus Trilogy was released way back in 1966 and is still one of the better Fantastic Four stories. Of course, the trilogy can be presented in a single movie, with a beginning also introducing the Skrulls and the Watcher, a middle in which the Silver Surfer changes allegiances, and a fitting end in which Galactus is not necessarily defeated, but convinced to leave Earth alone.
Thus, a continuation can follow, with a bigger threat can emerge in a potential sequel, in the form of Abraxas. The sequel might as well be an adaptation of Resurrection of Galactus.
Or, maybe, a sequel can be the adaptation of The Trial of Galactus.
On the next page, a death!
Fantastic Four: Three
What better way to continue or reboot the Fantastic Four franchise than by apparently killing one of the team's members? One of the most epic and, at the time, saddest storylines, an adaptation of Three would have to choose between the many villains presented in the comics.
And this should be an easy choice - just go with the ones that kill Johnny Storm. The inhabitants of Planet Zero (the Negative Zone in the comics) attack the team, with the Human Torch dying as he saves his teammates.
What an epic beginning of a movie this could be! Of course, these being comics, we do know that the Human Torch would eventually be brought back. But the movie itself would be a search for him, the three remaining Fantastic Four trying to find out what the hell happened.
On the next page, Doom!
Unthinkable
Here is a very interesting story arc for the Fantastic Four, which sees the team already established, facing their old enemy Doom. Of course, twitches will be needed, and we are ok with that. This storyline, which is credited as bringing the Fantastic Four into a new age, for a modern audience, sees the villain entrapping the team and making them his prisoners.
Unthinkable will also see the members of the team changing their powers, but not like in the first (or was that the second?) Fantastic Four film - this time, it will hurt them. Furthermore, besides this physical strain, the team will also be demoralized by the villain (Mister Fantastic, for example, will realize that his analytical mind cannot defeat the magical powers of Doom).
This can lead beautifully, we might add, into another sequel/storylines, which follows Unthinkable, the Authoritative Action storyline, in which it is revealed that Reed still hasn't defeated his inner demons (his failure against Doom), becoming the evil he has fought against.
On the next page, the elements!
Fantastic Four: Prime Elements
This is one Fantastic Four storyline which can be either adapted in multiple movies, or in 4 distinct segments in the same movie (pretty much like what we saw in any number of DC animations). The Hidden City of the High Evolutionary, The Old Kings of Atlantis, The Universal Inhumans, as well as The Cult of the Negative Zone are all storylines which would work out very well.
Of course, Fox would have to find a way around the characters it doesn't own. But the studio can surely do it - or can't it?
On the next page, the Frightful Four!
The Frightful Four
Take your pick!
Maybe the studio should leave aside the likes of Galactus and Doom and focus, instead, on unknown supervillains such as the Frightful Four. With a history dating back to 1965, Fox has plenty of choices to make, with Wizard being the only constant of the superhero team.
This can also be a chance to delve yet again in a history of the Negative Zone/Planet Zero, in which the population is consisted only by zombies. Doom can also make an appearance, though it would be better if, after 2 failed attempts of bringing him to life, Fox put him on the bench.
On the next page, the last storyline!
Fantastic Four: Future Foundation
This can work with or without one of the team members missing, with Doom apparently coopted by the Fantastic Four in a team that aims to solve all the world's problems. Rest assured, this won't just be all science and no action, with this team being consisted of a combat team and a science one.
Of course, eventually, Doom will turn out to be evil and, of course, Fox must figure a way around the characters it doesn't own. But it can be a starting point, one better than what we've seen until now.
Most importantly, we won't have another Fantastic Four origin story.
On the next page"¦
Anything is better than this year's Fantastic Four reboot!
And that says it all.
