Ioan Gruffudd Reflects on the Lost Potential of a Third ‘Fantastic Four’ Film
Ioan Gruffudd, known for his iconic portrayal of Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards) in 20th Century Fox’s Fantastic Four duology, recently shared his thoughts on the scrapped plans for a third installment in the franchise. In a candid Q&A with Vulture, coinciding with the release of Marvel’s new vision for the beloved superhero family, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the Welsh actor expressed his pride in being part of such a cherished franchise, which includes the films Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).
Gruffudd stated, "The mindset was that we were going to do three films. I believe the second movie was just as successful and enjoyable for fans as the first." He reminisced about his experience working alongside Doug Jones, who portrayed the Silver Surfer, praising him as an exceptional artist and master of physical movement. Gruffudd emphasized, "If you want to see someone truly bring a character to life, Doug is unmatched." The momentum for a trilogy was palpable, but ultimately, decisions regarding the franchise were out of his hands.
Despite both superhero films grossing over $300 million and receiving mixed to positive reviews, Fox ultimately chose to abandon the idea of a third film. By 2009, they announced a reboot of the franchise, which culminated in the 2015 release that featured Miles Teller as Reed Richards but was met with critical and commercial failure.
Reflecting on his journey, Gruffudd mentioned the emotional toll of letting go of roles he cherished, saying, "As an actor, you grieve every character you’ve played. This was a significant milestone in my career, and after two movies over several years, the character becomes a part of you. The grieving process follows because you’ve enjoyed the character so much and won’t get the chance to portray them again."
While Gruffudd expressed excitement about the continued legacy of the Fantastic Four through Marvel’s reimagined 1960s setting, he clarified his absence from the new film, stating, "I’m not in the new movie. Some fans seem convinced I will be involved in a future aspect of this universe that hasn’t been written or filmed yet. While the concept of characters returning, like Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm in Deadpool and Wolverine, has been introduced, I haven’t been approached to reprise my role as Mister Fantastic. But you never know!"
Since its release on July 25, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has earned nearly $200 million at the box office, although it experienced a 66% decline in ticket sales during its second weekend, similar to Captain America: Brave New World.
As the franchise continues to evolve, fans can only hope for more adventures with their favorite superhero team in the future.
