True believers already know whyFantastic Fourwas one of this year’sbiggest bombs. And it all has to do with the magical, mystical powers of Marvel mascotStan Lee, the man responsible for creating a huge portion of this universe. As it was being released, 20th Century Fox and directorJosh Trankdid a lot of finger pointing, placing thefailureon a great number of things, including each other. Everyone involved took a beating in the press the weeks following Fantastic Four’s release this past August. And it’s believed that something dubious happenedbehind-the-scenesthat wrecked any chances offranchiseglory. But Stan ‘The Man’ Lee has a much simpler reason why the movie failed.
Larry Kingrecently caught up withStan LeeonOra.TV. There, they discussed a great many things related to the MCU. But it was whenLarry Kingasked the Comic Book Legend why he felt the 2015 Fantastic Four remake tanked at the box office that the ground shook, and the skies opened up, and everyone involved went, ‘Yeah, that’s it.’ Let’s face it.Stan Leeoffers some pretty sound logic when looking back at the history ofMarvel movies. He simply stated the following.
“Well, it was probably because I didn’t have a cameo in it, and they didn’t discuss the story with me.”
Of course this is why Fantastic Four failed. No other explanation needed.Josh Trankand 20th Century Fox were so busy fighting amongst themselves, they forgot to bring in the one most important element. The omission of aStan Leecameo in Fantastic Four is quite blasphemous, and doesn’t make any sense. It’s not because the movie is housed at Fox either.Stan Leehad cameos in the previousX-Menmovies, and showed up in the 2005Fantastic Fourand it’s sequelFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
Not having aStan Leecameo in your Marvel movie is akin to Mickey Mouse taking a day off from Disneyland. But perhaps even more puzzling is that the studio and the director didn’t bother to reach out toStan Leeat all regarding the movie in any way, shape or form.Stan Leeis the number one expert in the world when it comes to Marvel’s first family. Though, it should be noted, the comic book creator isn’t always consulted when a film based on one of his creations goes into production. And they haven’t always been bombs either. But as this latest incarnation proves, Fantastic Four is a story that’s very hard to get right for the big screen. PerhapsStan Leecould have brought in a little bit of his knowledge and shared it with the crew.
Stan Leecreated the Fantastic Four team alongsideJack Kirby. But that didn’t seem to matter toJosh Trank. After having directedChronicle, he felt he had his own unique take on these characters, and didn’t really want any insight from those outside his inner circle. And from the sounds of it, his inner circle only consisted of himself.
During theLarry Kinginterview,Stan Leeadmitted that he had yet to see the new Fantastic Four. He didn’t believe he could further comment on its success or failure as a movie. This means that Fox didn’t invite him to the premiere, or even send him a copy of the movie to view. Which is strange, since he participated in Fox’s Comic-Con presentation this past July, taking a selfie with all of the superheroes under their roof. What do you think of all this? Did Fantastic Four do a big summer belly flop at theaters partially becauseStan Leewasn’t involved? Or do you feel there was nothing that could have saved this movie?
