Is Marvel's Fantastic Four Reboot Finally Get The Thing Right?

As a longtime Marvel Comics enthusiast who has been captivated by The Fantastic Four since I was a kid flipping through my father’s comic book collection, I must say that the latest development regarding Ben Grimm/The Thing in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ has left me absolutely thrilled!

As a diehard fan, I can hardly contain my excitement as Marvel’s iconic team, The Fantastic Four, prepares to make their grand return to the silver screen! Next summer, we’ll witness the premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a live-action film that promises to seamlessly integrate these beloved comic characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the initial sneak peeks and promotional art unveiled by Marvel Studios, it’s clear that this production is shaping up to be something extraordinary.

To date, we haven’t had a chance to witness The Thing in action, as he only made an appearance during convention-exclusive footage, either in human form or sitting down with his superhero silhouette on a show reminiscent of “The Dating Game”. Moss-Bachrach has hinted that his portrayal will use motion-capture technology, and we’ll have to see what additional practical effects might be employed. Regardless, the character’s design, known for his imposing stature and textured orange rock skin, is remarkably faithful to how he appears in Marvel Comics. Particularly, he resembles the early drawings of The Thing by “Fantastic Four” co-creator Jack Kirby, as evidenced by his oversized eyebrows and incredibly broad shoulders. Emulating Kirby’s style for The Thing not only shows respect for the comics but also creates a touching callback, as Kirby often claimed that he based the character on himself before his passing in 1994.

Back in 1992, I shared with Prisoners of Gravity that The Thing, the character I created, is essentially me. If you observe how The Thing speaks and behaves, you’ll notice striking similarities to my own demeanor. His way of speaking, his manners, even his thought process – it’s all remarkably like mine. He’s lively, always on the move among people, and he can push through a crowd with ease. I guess in many ways, I see myself reflected in The Thing.

Despite the apparent simplicity of recreating these distinctive characteristics in live-action, the past adaptations of the Fantastic Four have shown mixed results. The infamous 1994 version by Roger Corman, for instance, used a rubber suit to depict The Thing, capturing his expressiveness but also leading it into an unsettling realm known as the uncanny valley. Michael Chiklis’ portrayal in the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four films is cherished by fans due to its practical suit, although it lacks some of the character’s distinctive features such as eyebrows and certain aesthetic details. The 2015 version featured Jamie Bell and employed CGI for his portrayal, resulting in a technically superior rendering but one that seemed more cold and brutal compared to the warm and loveable character fans are familiar with.

We’re not yet at the point where we can watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps or even see its first trailer. However, it’s clear that the way they’re handling The Thing in this project is intriguing and could potentially win over mainstream audiences again while staying true to his comic book origins.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released exclusively in theaters on July 25, 2025.

2024-08-29 02:11

Is Marvel’s Fantastic Four Reboot Finally Get The Thing Right?

Read More