On August 8, we’re going to see the “Fantastic Four” reboot, after much speculation about the various details of the new film’s plot points, characters and many other elements. It’s true that we don’t know a lot about the film right now, and many of the rumors going around about it are quite contradictory, making it even more difficult to know what to expect. One thing is for sure though – it’s going to bring some interesting changes to the formula of the original.
And of course, critics and fans alike have been eager to share their opinions about the reboot and what kinds of changes it may introduce. One of the things that everyone expects to be different is the design of the characters – they are likely going to change a lot for the reboot. Originally, Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman were a bit older, in their later thirties, with The Thing in the same area as well. On the other hand, Human Torch was a bit younger than them.
However, in the new film, we’re likely going to see all characters closer in age to one another, putting everyone in their twenties. This would make them a lot younger than their originals overall, and while that would be a significant change in the plot configuration, it could actually play out in favor of the film as a whole.
One of the ways in which this could benefit the film is that it can help to emphasize the intelligent side of Mr. Fantastic, and a similar effect could work in favor of The Thing too. His talent in baseball is going to be given a true chance to shine now that the character is given a lower age, and this could help put a stronger focus on the fact that he is the heavy hitter of the group. That would become apparent even before he turns into his rocky orange mass.
The way the four characters get their powers might be different in the new film as well, compared to the originals – previously, their superpowers were explained as a cosmic energy granting the heroes their special abilities. But in the reboot, they might be given their unique skills through something more interesting, like traveling through different dimensions. That would add an extra layer of complexity to the backstory, and it’s possible that the characters are even captured by the government.
That is much more likely if they have obtained their powers through interdimensional travel, as one critic has pointed out. They might not get away with a short hospital visit now like they did in the old movies.
No let’s not hope it gets a warm reception this looks barely like the FF that captured generations of fans nor a version anyone was asking for. Hoping it goes the way of SPIDERMAN and this wrongheaded version causes the studio to let Marvel take over and give the FF the treatment that the property that kicked off the Marvel age of comics deserves.