Debate is raging over the casting of the upcoming "Fantastic Four" reboot--but the single biggest criticism of the news is that Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan is playing the Human Torch.
The comic book series follows
four individuals--Reed Richards--Mr. Fantastic (Miles Teller), Sue Storm --The
Invisible Girl (Kate Mara), her brother Johnny Storm--The Human Torch (Jordan), and Ben Grimm The Thing (Jamie Bell) who gained superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays
during a scientific mission to outer space.
The origin story will probably be changed slightly to explain how
the Caucasian Mara and African-American Jordan could be related - the
most likely explanation is that one of them is adopted.
Some of the backlash over Jordan could be catagorized as thinly disguised racism, whereas others are
more upset over what's seen as yet just one more change to their beloved
material in order to bring it to the big screen.
TMZ caught up with Jordan and asked him for his reaction to the criticism.
Jordan responded in just one sentence:
"They're still going to go see it anyway."
I have always said the casting decision should come down to the best person for the task at hand--regardless of skin color. There will always be haters. I am bothered when the film changes the core of the character--Hello Man of Steel--I am talking to you...Not by skin color
Saoirse Ronan ("The Host") Margot Robbie "Girls" star Allison Williams were rumored to be circling Invisible Girl last year. Samira Wiley also denied Sue chatter. Mara and Emmy Rossum were said to have both tested for Sue Storm; Christian Cooke is was eyed for Grimm. Actor Josh Gad was rumored as well but that talk was denied via Twitter
No names have been mentioned for the role of the bad guy yet. The film's bad guy is most likely Doctor Doom but that the masked villain is being written as though the character is a female has been denied...Julian McMahon played the character as Victor Von Doom in the previous big screen incarnations
Simon Kinberg ("Sherlock Holmes," "X-Men: Days of Future Past") recently finished scripting duties. Jeremy Slater was hired to pen the previous script draft.--that Seth Grahame-Smith polished. Michael Green ("Green Lantern") also wrote a draft as well.
"Chronicle" director Josh Trank is set to helm the pic.
"X-Men: First Class" and "Kick-Ass" director Matthew Vaughn signed on to produce the reset
The leads were previously portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis. The first Fantastic Four in 2005 and its sequel 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer in 2007--both helmed by Tim Story--grossed $620 million despite awful reviews (I liked em both!)
Fox
wants to restore some credibility and quality to the property, that is
currently targeting a June 2015 release. Vancouver has lost out on the shoot for the upcoming reboot. The film's production will now take place in Louisiana due to tax incentives in place.
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