[Source: Comic Book Movie]
The current “Fantastic Four” films that we’ve seen thus far are a bit campy and not in the same league as many other Marvel films. Like many other comic films, the series is already set for a reboot to debut on June 19, 2015. Despite many calling this upcoming film a reboot, it seems that it may not be a reboot at all.
In a recent interview for Esquire México, Kate Mara (set to play Susan Storm) discredited the film’s validity even more. With statements regarding her and Director Josh Trank’s (“Chronicle”) opposition to reading any comics prior to filming, she may have severely offended the fans of the comic book franchise. The most earth-shattering aspect of this interview is that the film will not be based on any previous Fantastic Four publications.
Q: How do you feel being the new Invisible Woman? It’s a big responsibility.
A: I don’t feel more responsibility with this role that I’ve felt with others. I understand that there are many fans of Fantastic Four and I guess they expect a lot from me, but I prefer not to be pressured by that. We are also trying to create a new way of seeing these superheroes, I’m focusing on making her (Susan Storm) as real as possible.
Q: Do you like comics?
A: I’ve never been a fan of comics, I’ve never actually read one. I was going to for this movie but the director said it wasn’t necessary. Well, actually he told us that we shouldn’t do it because the plot won’t be based on any history of anything already published. So I chose to follow his instructions. The one fact is I am a fan of comic book movies, so it’s very exciting to be part of a movie like this.
Q: What did you think when the audition for this movie? Were you nervous?
A: I was excited, but I only focused on doing the best I could. I think there are roles you get if that’s what needs to happen. I kept everything in perspective although expected to stay with the paper, because the movie has great actors like Michael B. Jordan (who will be the Human Torch).
One struggle that I have begun to overcome is separating my comic book fanboy and film fanboy perspectives. Most directors take liberties with literary film adaptations but do so with respect to the creators of that adapted source. In my opinion, Josh Trank’s choice to ignore the entire Fantastic Four universe is incredibly disrespectful and pompous. I’ve heard of actors choosing not to read the source material prior to filming (Tobey Maguire – Spider-Man), but I’ve never heard of them doing so at the instruction of the director.
If this is not meant to have any ties to the publications, then this is not a Fantastic Four film. I may be going out on a limb here, but this seems like a director capitalizing on the success of a franchise by using the name but not paying respect to any of the source material. I understand a filmmaker wanting to put his stamp of originality on a film but if someone made another film adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and kept the character names but entirely changed the story and who those characters were then people would be outraged. In my opinion, this is in poor taste and as a comic book fan I am insulted.