Fantastic Four Star Says Original Team Deserved A Third Movie Despite Reboot’s Failure

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Michael Chiklis, known for playing the Thing, believes the Fantastic Four movies he starred in should have had a third installment, even though the 2015 reboot wasn’t successful.

As much as I love what Marvel’s done with the MCU, I always remember that before all that, 20th Century Fox actually brought the Fantastic Four to the big screen first. Those 2005 and 2007 movies – Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer – were the first widely released, big-budget superhero films based on that team, and they really did something different with the characters. They weren’t part of a larger universe, and honestly, I appreciate them for being unique in their own way.

The original Fantastic Four movies directed by Tim Story were financially successful, so fans anticipated a sequel. However, those plans were dropped when 20th Century Fox decided to restart the series with a new film in 2015. This reboot proved to be a poor choice, as it didn’t do well in theaters, earned a low 9% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is estimated to have lost the studio $100 million.

Nearly twenty years after the films were released, Michael Chiklis, who played The Thing, shared his thoughts on why a third movie should have been made. Speaking at C2E2, he explained that although the first two films weren’t flawless, they were still successful. He believes that choosing to reboot the series instead of continuing with a third sequel was a big mistake that hurt both the cast and 20th Century Fox.

Honestly, after the second film, things just… faded out. I didn’t hear from anyone involved for a really long time. It’s a shame, really, because as far as I know, those movies collectively earned around three-quarters of a billion dollars! It’s amazing to think about that kind of success.

Although many fans and critics didn’t love the films – especially how they portrayed Galactus – both movies were financially successful. The first film made $330 million worldwide on a $100 million budget, and the second earned $301 million with a $130 million budget, proving they were hits with audiences.

After Disney bought 20th Century Fox, Marvel regained the rights to make movies about the Fantastic Four, leading to a new film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, released in 2025. Michael Chiklis, who previously played The Thing, publicly supported the new actors and was impressed with their performances, especially Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s portrayal of The Thing. Though he wasn’t disappointed by the reboot, Chiklis shared that he and the original cast had been eager to make a third film themselves.

I’m proud of the work we did on the first two films and still stand by them. I have no negativity towards the newer versions of The Thing or Fantastic Four. What bothers me most is that we never got to make a third film, and we were never given a clear explanation why. The new cast, including Ebon, is fantastic, and I genuinely wish them all the best. I just wish our team had the opportunity to complete the trilogy.

Even though the recent Marvel Cinematic Universe Fantastic Four movies have gained more attention, the earlier films remain beloved by many fans. They struck a good balance between funny moments, exciting action, and the relationships between the characters, which are all key parts of what makes the team special. These movies offered a fresh and memorable interpretation of Marvel’s first family and its members.

You can now watch all four Fantastic Four movies – including the original, Rise of the Silver Surfer, the 2015 reboot, and Fantastic Four: First Steps – on Disney+.

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2026-04-05 01:34