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We live in an age where the MCU dominates the box office and comic book movies are nothing short of a license to print money. The idea of a Marvel movie being filmed and never released to the public almost seems unfathomable. However, in 1994, this is precisely what happened. Produced by low-budget maestro Roger Corman, The Fantastic Four depicts the quartet of superheroes pitted against the villainous Doctor Doom. All the ingredients for a camp-filled adventure were there, but the film was never officially released. Over the years, it’s obtained something of a cult following with bootlegs existing and being distributed among fans. Curiosity-seekers and fans of high camp now have an opportunity to witness the MCU movie that never made it to the screen.
The Marvel Movie That Never Was
New Horizons
The saga of The Fantastic Four is one in which the wheelings and dealings behind the camera are just as interesting as what occurs in front of it. The story begins with German producer Bernd Eichinger, who hoped to obtain the rights from creator Stan Lee. The pair would meet for the first time in 1983, though the rights would not be made available to Eichinger until a few years later. With the rights set to expire in 1992, Eichinger needed someone to produce his comic book adaptation to maintain control. With a minuscule budget and time running out, Eichinger sought out the one man whose career was built on making motion pictures on a shoestring budget in short amounts of time: the iconic Roger Corman.
According to an article by Timeout, Eichinger famously told Corman, “I want a Fantastic Four flick, and I don’t want it good – I want it Tuesday!” A statement such as this might have seemed crass, but it was par for the course when directed to Roger Corman. Corman set about to produce the film on a minuscule budget of one million and tasked director Oley Sassone with bringing the adventures of The Fantastic Four to the big screen.
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To describe the production as “rushed” is certainly an understatement. Filming lasted for less than 30 days. So, when did the Corman-produced project hit theaters? Or, was it relegated to the direct-to-video market like so many others? As it turns out, neither one of these fates would befall The Fantastic Four. The film was shelved indefinitely, and it seemed to be a lost curiosity, sharing a similar existence as The Day the Clown Cried. The Fantastic Four has seen the light of day thanks to bootlegs, the internet, and other sources. From a cynical maneuver to preserve ownership to a cult phenomenon, that’s one superhero origin story that no one could foresee.
A Worthwhile Watch or an Unmitigated Disaster?
New Horizons
Usually, when a film is intentionally shelved with the intention of never being released, we can assume that it’s too bad to ever see the light of day. When it comes to The Fantastic Four, one might wonder if there’s a shred of merit or quality to be had, or if it deserved its intended fate after production was concluded. The Fantastic Four can be seen as something of a time capsule, a moment in history where comic book adaptations were full of color and camp and not the gritty and angst-ridden vehicles that have become the norm.
The Fantastic Four shares many similarities with the 1990 adaptation of Captain America. It’s bright, energetic, and does not take itself too seriously. It’s intended for a demographic who grew up with the original comics and is familiar with the tone that they present. It’s not particularly the film itself that might have hindered the success of a theatrical release, but changing trends with comic book adaptations.
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The release of Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989 gave comic book adaptations a darker tone, making them appealing to more mature audiences. Compared to this shift in tone and presentation, The Fantastic Four almost seems outdated and similar to the old Adam West Batman television series, which is part of its charm. Despite what one might think of The Fantastic Four‘s presentation and content, there’s no denying it’s secured a legacy among comic fans and devotees of B-grade cinema.
Where Can I Watch ‘The Fantastic Four’?
New Horizons
While produced by Roger Corman, one of the most prolific directors of our time, The Fantastic Four has never been officially released. However, you can watch the entire film on Dailymotion and the Internet Archive.
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