Fantastic Four: The Rise of Silver Surfer

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is a 2007 superhero film, and the sequel to the 2005 film Fantastic Four; both were based upon the comic of the same name. The film was directed by Tim Story, who also directed the original, and Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd, Julian McMahon and Kerry Washington reprised their roles from the original. Doug Jones and Beau Garrett appear in the sequel as the Silver Surfer and Frankie Raye, respectively, along with Laurence Fishburne as the voice of the Surfer. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is scheduled to be released on June 15, 2007.

Plot

Promotional image from Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Reed and Sue are attempting to marry early in the film.^[1] The film's remaining story centers on the appearance of the Silver Surfer on Earth, as well as the return of Doctor Doom. The Silver Surfer befriends Sue.^[2]

The film begins two years after the first, with Doctor Doom having spent two years trapped in a casket and taking over Latveria.^[3] Doom desires to take the Silver Surfer's powers.^[4] He also reverts to his organic form.^[5]

Cast

Stan Lee plays himself in a cameo, in a tribute to his own fictional comic book incarnation.^[6]

Production

Fantastic Four

With Fantastic Four grossing $330 million worldwide, 20th Century Fox hired director Tim Story and screenwriter Mark Frost in December 2005 to return for the superhero team's sequel.^[7] Screenwriters Frost and Don Payne were hired to write the screenplay.^[8] Payne has said the film is based upon Fantastic Four #48, in which Galactus also makes an appearance, as well as issues 57-60 in which Doom steals the Surfer's power. Payne has also said the film takes inspiration from the Ultimate Marvel limited series Ultimate Extinction.^[9] As of March 2, 2007, Galactus' design was not yet done,^[10] and by April 18 they were still unsure of whether he would speak.^[11]

The film includes the Fantasti-Car,^[12] a larger role for Kerry Washington's character Alicia Masters,^[13] and in June 2006, the Silver Surfer was announced to appear in the sequel as a "villain / hero".^[14] The Silver Surfer has been created with a new computer-generated design.^[15] The sequel, whose working title was Fantastic Four 2, was officially titled Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer in August 2006 with filming beginning on August 28 in Vancouver and set for a release date of June 15, 2007.^[16] Michael Chiklis' prosthetics as the Thing were also redesigned to allow him to take it off in between takes.^[17]

In August 2006, actor Andre Braugher dropped out of an ER supporting role to be cast in Rise of the Silver Surfer.^[18] Braugher was cast as General Hager, whom director Story described as "an old acquaintance of Reed Richards and one of the major additions to the movie".^[19] In September, actor Doug Jones was confirmed to portray the Silver Surfer in addition to Julian McMahon reprising his role as Doctor Doom.^[20] The Baxter Building was also redesigned.^[9]

Promotion

The teaser trailer was initially exclusively attached to Night at the Museum. It was released to the general public online on December 26, 2006 on the film's official website. The theatrical trailer was supposed to appear during the film Disturbia on April 13th but errors occurred and Tim Story announced that it would be released during the Spider-Man 3 film on May 4th. However, the theatrical trailer was finally released online on April 30th on Apple Trailer's website.[1]

20th Century Fox launched an outdoor advertising campaign at the end of February.^[21]

Screenwriter Don Payne has said he'd love to write a spin-off for the Silver Surfer and explore his origins, either in flashbacks or a prequel film.^[9] Actor Julian McMahon is signed on for a third film.^[22]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantastic_Four:_Rise_of_the_Silver_Surfer