The Original Film Version of the FANTASTIC FOUR
Was originally "released" in 1994. With a tiny budget of 1 million dollars, there were many rumors about the genesis of the project. But here are some facts, the film was produced by independet film producer, Roger Corman. The production was never given a legitmate release. And the film allowed the person who owned the rights to retain them. We have gathered information, stills and have even a link to buy the best version of the film. Our goal is to make this site the source for one of film history's oddest projects.
If you have any information about the 1994 Fantastic Four, please email me at fantastic41994@gmail.com
If you have any information about the 1994 Fantastic Four, please email me at fantastic41994@gmail.com
BEST EDITION WE'VE FOUND TO DATE:
After years of only bad bootleg copies, we found a really decent version. While it claims to be digitally re-mastered, I don't know about that. But it the best edition I've ever seen. Clear, sharp images and really good sound. We're going to keep searching, but this is the best one we've found to date.
CLICK HERE FOR THE DVD VERSION
CLICK HERE FOR THE DVD VERSION
History of Project
Flashback to 1992. Neue Constantin Films of Germany had owned the film rights to the FF property for several years but these rights were to expire on December 31st and revert back to Marvel. Neue Constantin wished to renew their option but were denied by Marvel who, up to this time, had yet to experience any success with adapting their characters to the big screen. There was the ill-fated Punisher film with Dolph Lundgren and the direct-to-video Captain America production. Conan the Barbarian (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role that made him a household name) was considered the only bright star in Marvel's stable. Times were changing though and it appeared Marvel was intent on regaining control of their flagship title.
In order for Neue Constantin to retain their option, they would need to rush into production before year's end. They entered into a partnership with Concorde Pictures in the Autumn of '92 and under the helm of B-movie king, Roger Corman, a paltry budget was raised. Principal shooting of the first Fantastic Four movie commenced on December 28, 1992.
Assigned to the directorial reins was Oley Sassone. Sassone had cut his teeth in the biz by directing over 100 videos and was no stranger in working with limited budgets and constrained schedules. He was aware of the comic genre's failure in Hollywood and was intent on not letting the fans of the FF down.
"I went back and read every single issue of The Fantastic Four Marvel Masterworks series before I went to bed, just to re familiarize myself with these characters," said Sassone who believed big-budgeted films like Batman failed to meet people's expectations because they did not feature enough character development. "You've got to touch people on an emotional level, whether its The Fantastic Four or On The Waterfront."
Despite the meager funding his film received, Sassone seemed to take the Francis Ford Coppola approach to filmmaking who once stated: "...my attitude towards money is I don't have very much of it but if I use it in a very audacious way, it multiples itself. If you have a thousand dollars but willing to use it, not caring of risk, you can make it feel like ten thousand." Indeed such a philosophy seemed to work because Sassone's cast and crew poured themselves into the 25-day shoot, working upwards of twenty hours a day, transforming a modest motion picture into something much grander.
"Having the opportunity to bring these mythological characters to life is great," reflected Sassone. "Stan and Marvel have already made them a legend and it was like being handed gold."
But would Sassone's optimism last? Once principal photography wrapped in late January 1993, it was still a long path before the film made its way to "opening night." A night that Sassone and company would unknowingly never experience.
In order for Neue Constantin to retain their option, they would need to rush into production before year's end. They entered into a partnership with Concorde Pictures in the Autumn of '92 and under the helm of B-movie king, Roger Corman, a paltry budget was raised. Principal shooting of the first Fantastic Four movie commenced on December 28, 1992.
Assigned to the directorial reins was Oley Sassone. Sassone had cut his teeth in the biz by directing over 100 videos and was no stranger in working with limited budgets and constrained schedules. He was aware of the comic genre's failure in Hollywood and was intent on not letting the fans of the FF down.
"I went back and read every single issue of The Fantastic Four Marvel Masterworks series before I went to bed, just to re familiarize myself with these characters," said Sassone who believed big-budgeted films like Batman failed to meet people's expectations because they did not feature enough character development. "You've got to touch people on an emotional level, whether its The Fantastic Four or On The Waterfront."
Despite the meager funding his film received, Sassone seemed to take the Francis Ford Coppola approach to filmmaking who once stated: "...my attitude towards money is I don't have very much of it but if I use it in a very audacious way, it multiples itself. If you have a thousand dollars but willing to use it, not caring of risk, you can make it feel like ten thousand." Indeed such a philosophy seemed to work because Sassone's cast and crew poured themselves into the 25-day shoot, working upwards of twenty hours a day, transforming a modest motion picture into something much grander.
"Having the opportunity to bring these mythological characters to life is great," reflected Sassone. "Stan and Marvel have already made them a legend and it was like being handed gold."
But would Sassone's optimism last? Once principal photography wrapped in late January 1993, it was still a long path before the film made its way to "opening night." A night that Sassone and company would unknowingly never experience.
