Imagine this: Two decades ago, a beloved superhero team burst onto the big screen, only to face a storm of harsh criticism that some say missed the mark entirely. What if the naysayers were wrong, and these films deserve a fresh look? Stick around, because one original star is stirring up the debate, claiming the movies were unfairly dismissed. But here's where it gets controversial—could the real heroes be the fans who loved them all along?
Back in 2005, Marvel's iconic first family—the Fantastic Four—finally leaped from comic pages to the silver screen courtesy of 20th Century Fox. Directed by Tim Story, the film featured Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing. This was Marvel's groundbreaking cinematic debut for these characters, though some fans argue that Pixar's 'The Incredibles,' released just a year earlier, offered a similar superhero vibe that was arguably even better in its storytelling and animation. (For more on that comparison, check out this insightful article: https://www.slashfilm.com/1921752/best-fantastic-four-movie-not-marvel-pixar-the-incredibles/)
Despite lukewarm to outright negative reviews from critics, the movie turned a profit, paving the way for a sequel under the same director. 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer' in 2007 brought back the core cast, added the villainous Doctor Doom (played by Julian McMahon), and introduced the cosmic Silver Surfer, voiced by Laurence Fishburne and physically embodied by Doug Jones. Yet again, it struggled with critics and didn't perform as well financially. As a result, plans for a third installment were abandoned, and instead, a reboot directed by Josh Trank hit theaters in 2015, which many consider one of Marvel's biggest box office disappointments. (Dive deeper into that flop here: https://www.slashfilm.com/1921567/josh-trank-fantastic-four-marvel-most-important-box-office-flop/) Now, an actor from those original Story films is speaking up, insisting they deserve more recognition than they received.
That actor is Michael Chiklis, who believes Tim Story's Fantastic Four movies were unjustly hammered by reviewers. (Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
While Tim Story's 'Fantastic Four' films didn't impress critics much upon release, Michael Chiklis' take on Ben Grimm/The Thing stood out as a bright spot. His grounded, relatable performance, combined with the practical effects that brought the character's tragic and endearing nature to life, left a lasting impression—some might even say it's still the finest on-screen version we've seen. For beginners exploring superhero lore, Ben Grimm is the strong, rocky-skinned hero who undergoes a painful transformation, adding emotional depth to the team's dynamics.
In a recent interview with Collider (https://collider.com/fantastic-four-legacy-audience-love-michael-chiklis/), Chiklis mentioned he hasn't yet watched 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' the new film that integrates the team into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (think of the MCU as Marvel's interconnected movie universe, like a massive shared story world starting with films like 'Iron Man'). That said, he praised the actor playing the new Thing, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, calling him a 'terrific actor.' He also reflected on Story's movies, arguing that critics were too harsh and the films were underrated:
'There were a lot of people, I think, critically who got it wrong. They really maligned our films, and they were very underrated considering ... they were very loved by the audience. It was one of those cases where critics weren't great to those films, but the audience was, and that still remains. I've always sort of quietly gone like, okay, say what you want to say, but the people see it. And now all these years later, people are sort of acknowledging like, hey, these films are family-friendly, fun movies ... they got a lot right. They may be imperfect, but they're really good movies.'
And this is the part most people miss—these films sat at a pivotal moment in the explosion of superhero cinema in the 2000s. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Tim Story's 'Fantastic Four' films arrived just as superhero movies were exploding in popularity. In that era, Marvel's 'X-Men' series and 'Spider-Man' films were smashing box office records, while 2003's 'Daredevil' and Story's duo often faced mockery from fans. For instance, last year's 'Deadpool & Wolverine' poked fun at this, with Chris Evans reprising his Human Torch role only to meet a hilariously over-the-top end at the villain's hands. (Here's the scoop on that cameo: https://www.slashfilm.com/1637786/chris-evans-deadpool-and-wolverine-cameo-condition/) On a brighter note, characters like Jennifer Garner's Elektra got a more fulfilling closure in other Fox-Marvel stories.
What makes it fascinating—and controversial—is how Story's films were swiftly eclipsed by other blockbusters that shaped the genre for years. Released in the same year as Story's first 'Fantastic Four,' 'Batman Begins' raked in over $300 million globally, just like the superhero team flick, but Nolan's Batman revival had a deeper, more enduring cultural footprint. Similarly, 'Rise of the Silver Surfer' competed with 'Spider-Man 3,' which, despite its flaws, topped the trilogy's earnings. Fast-forward a year, and hits like 'Iron Man' and 'The Dark Knight' set the stage for modern superhero sagas, relegating Story's efforts to near-oblivion.
This divide between critical panning and audience affection raises intriguing questions: Are critics out of touch with what everyday fans enjoy, or do they spot flaws that keep superhero stories from greatness? Chiklis's defense suggests a counterpoint—perhaps these movies' fun, family-oriented spirit is their hidden strength. What do you think? Were the 2005 'Fantastic Four' films unfairly judged, or was the criticism spot-on? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with Chiklis, or side with the critics? And if you've seen 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' in theaters right now, how does it compare to the originals? Let's discuss!
Catch 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' in theaters now.
