It’s been a week since Fantastic Four was released in theaters. The film flopped instantly and is already being regarded as one of the worst comic book films of all time. Despite a strong cast and interesting tone, the film is a choppy mess that was very clearly assembled in a state of tension. Fox, though, has stated that they are still “committed” to the franchise, and are pressing on with a sequel. Needless to say, Josh Trank is not returning. So who could salvage this seemingly dead franchise, and who would be brave enough to put their name on a sequel to one of the biggest jokes in film history? Here are five directors who I think Fox could utilize to save the Fantastic Four.
Drew Goddard: He’s developed both the Daredevil television show, and the now-probably-dead Sinister Six movie. While some of his leaked ideas for the Sinister Six movie were a little, eh, iffy (to say the least), there’s no denying he’s done good work. The Cabin in the Woods was an extremely popular movie, and if he had a good script and a producer to help steer him in the right direction (like Simon Kinberg, Fox’s Kevin Feige), he could definitely make an entertaining Fantastic Four movie.
Sam Mendes: He’s no stranger to salvaging movie franchises. Sam Mendes revived the Bond franchise with the amazing Skyfall after the dismal Quantum of Solace seemed to make everyone lose interest in Agent 007. He can handle big action sequences, and is great at character development. His particular style of filmmaking also makes him a good choice if Fox wishes to continue the tone of the first film. But, you know, he’d do it well.
Rupert Wyatt: While currently developing Fox’s Gambit, that means that he already has relationships with Fox. And just like Sam Mendes, he’s no stranger to reviving franchises. Planet of the Apes was dead, and I mean, dead. The Tim Burton remake killed the franchise for almost a decade. But Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes not only revived the series, but made it one of the biggest sci-fi film series going right now. If he could make a serious sci-fi thriller with talking monkeys, then he’s more than qualified to handle a guy who can stretch and a rock monster…
Matthew Vaughn: He single-handedly saved the X-Men franchise. Fox was on a Sony-esque downward spiral after the Last Stand and Origins. One more bomb and they were finished. But Vaughn made the X-Men franchise awesome again with his Bond-esque tone and grounded story. He understand what the franchise needed, and how to retool with a new tone without throwing out everything that came before. And, let’s be honest; if you can follow up X-Men Origins: Wolverine, you can follow up Fantastic Four.
Bryan Singer: The man who rocketed the X-Men back into their status as one of the biggest superhero franchises on the market right now. While X-Men: First Class got people interested in the X-Men again, it was Days of Future Past that cemented the franchise firmly as one of our coolest comic book movie series. Even though he is currently working on X-Men: Apocalypse, him directing Fantastic Four 2 could help steer that series to be more in line with the X-Men, and also help set up the X-Men/Fantastic Four crossover that Fox is planning.