Did You Know Fantastic Four Fought Dr. Doom In A 1994 Movie That Was Never Released?

The Fantastic Four have long been known as Marvel’s “First Family,” yet on the big screen, their journey has been surprisingly uneven. Today, they are set to headline the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Six, with a huge budget and a talented cast. But long before Disney and even Fox’s 2005 film, Marvel’s first family was already adapted for the big screen. Few know about it because it was a film that never officially saw the light of day.

In 1994, a low-budget live-action Fantastic Four movie was completed. It was directed by Oley Sassone and produced by Roger Corman, a legendary figure known for making films on shoestring budgets. Intended to feature the iconic showdown between the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, the film cost roughly $1 million and was shot primarily in Los Angeles, but it was never released.

Why Was Fantastic Four 1994 Shelved?

In 1986, Producer Bernd Eichinger purchased the rights to a Fantastic Four Movie from Marvel Comics, as per the AV Club. However, the rights were bought only until 1992, and he had to make a movie to retain them for a longer period. For years, no advances were made in the movie, and as the deadline approached, Eichinger decided to go for the film in any manner. He set aside a budget of $1 million, and went on to create the film, only to retain film rights. It not releasing in the theaters was not a tragedy. Instead, it was a well-calculated decision by the makers not to let go of their rights.

Once Marvel bought back control, they chose not to release the low-budget product. The plot mirrors classic Fantastic Four lore, as per Stomp Tokyo. College friends Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom conduct a cosmic experiment that goes wrong, seemingly killing Victor. A decade later, Reed, Susan, Johnny, and Ben Grimm launch into space, where cosmic rays transform them into superheroes. Meanwhile, Victor re-emerges as the villainous Dr. Doom. The team battles Doom’s forces, saves hostages, and ultimately dedicates itself to protecting the world.

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