Michael Chiklis is renowned for his versatility in both television and film. He achieved widespread fame and critical praise for his portrayal of Detective Vic Mackey in the acclaimed series The Shield, earning numerous awards. Chiklis’ talent and charisma continue to enthrall audiences to this day. Besides, his Fantastic Four role was loved by many.
In 2019, the Fantastic Four fandom erupted with joy when Disney acquired 21st Century Fox, bringing along the rights to the beloved superheroes. Marvel swiftly followed up with an exciting announcement, confirming the production of an official Fantastic Four movie, currently in its early stages of pre-production. With all these exciting developments underway, Michael Chiklis, who portrayed Ben Grimm/The Thing in the 2005 and 2007 films, has some valuable advice to offer the MCU.
Michael Chiklis Has Some Advice For The Next Fantastic Four Movie
During a recent interview with ScreenRant, Michael Chiklis shared two insightful suggestions. He recommended that the actor taking over his role “go CGI if you can,” given the appearance of The Thing, resembling an orange and rocky version of The Hulk. Chiklis explained that his own transformation into The Thing relied heavily on makeup and costumes, a process that likely required substantial time and effort, making CGI a more convenient option.
In addition, he advocated for a lighter tone, emphasizing that “it’s not meant to be dark and brooding.” Michael Chiklis pointed out that the Fantastic Four were a loving and endearing family, and this heartwarming dynamic should be reflected in their portrayal.
Although Michael Chiklis didn’t specifically mention this movie, it’s worth noting that the most recent rendition of the Fantastic Four to grace the screens was directed by Josh Trank in 2015. This version introduced a fresh lineup featuring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell as the iconic team members.
Taking a dark and brooding approach, this particular film suffered a catastrophic failure both at the box office and with critics. Its dismal performance is evident in its meager 9% critic score and 18% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, confirming that Michael Chiklis’ advice holds true and carries considerable weight.
Will MCU Breath New Life Into Fantastic Four?
Although the Fantastic Four movies that featured Michael Chiklis didn’t receive overwhelmingly positive critical acclaim, they managed to perform relatively well at the box office. Co-starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, and a pre-Captain America Chris Evans, these films embraced a lighter tone, which contributed to their superior reception compared to the 2015 version. However, given the MCU’s track record, we can’t help but anticipate that their version might prove to be the most exceptional iteration yet.
Although casting details for Marvel’s upcoming Fantastic Four movie remain undisclosed, one thing is certain: Jon Watts is set to direct. With a solid foundation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having helmed all three Spider-Man entries, Watts is a well-established figure in the MCU, generating anticipation for his involvement in the highly-anticipated Fantastic Four project.
Fantastic Four (2015) can be streamed on Disney+.
Also read: Not Dwayne Johnson, Star Wars Andor Actor Reportedly Playing The Thing in Fantastic Four
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