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Thing actor Michael Chiklis says his Fantastic Four deserved a third film (and still doesn’t know why Marvel didn’t give them one)
Michael Chiklis says the Tim Story Fantastic Four films were profitable and there should have been a third one
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Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there was Tim Story’s Fantastic Four duology. While the films weren’t perfect adaptations of the Marvel Comics, they were an entertaining look at Marvel’s first family. Plus, as Thing actor Michael Chiklis proudly points out, the movies were profitable. Fantastic Four grossed $330 million on a $100 million budget, and the sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer grossed $301 million on a $130 million budget. Critics and fans had issues with things like the cloud version of Galactus, but the movies made their money back, and there was no reason to think there wouldn’t be a third one.
However, 20th Century Fox cancelled plans for a third Tim Story-directed Fantastic Four movie, opting to reboot the franchise in 2015. “Quite honestly, I don’t know what happened after the second one,” Michael Chiklis said during a Fantastic Four panel at C2E2 2026. “I didn’t hear from anybody for the longest time. It is what it is, but those movies, correct me if I’m wrong, but they made three quarters of a billion dollars.”
He continued, “I just feel strongly that we all really put in a great effort on those first two films, and I stand by them.”
Marvel regained the FF film rights after Disney purchased 20th Century Fox. This led to Marvel producing their own film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, which hit theaters last summer. Chiklis says he has no ill will towards the new cast and praises the performance of Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who took over the role of Ben Grimm. He just wishes Fox had given them a chance to do a third film.
“I don’t have any animus towards any of the new incarnations of the Thing or the Fantastic Four. But if I do have something that sticks in my side, it is that we were supposed to do a third one, and we didn’t get to do that,” he argued. “And it was never made clear to us why. Ebon is wonderful in the new incarnation, and those are wonderful actors in this film. My hat is off to them, and I wish them all the best in the world. But I really had wished that we got to do that.”
You can watch the full Marvel's Fantastic Four movie reunion panel from C2E2 2026 here:
About C2E2
Comics, cosplay, gaming, authors, and anime abound in the only pop culture convention in the heart of Downtown Chicago! We've gathered your favorite celebrities, unique exhibitors, incredible comic creators, and larger-than-life literary authors into one place to celebrate the fandoms you love. From the halls of Artist Alley to the depths of the Show Floor, our goal is to provide a space of creativity and fun, but most importantly, one that cultivates a sense of belonging, safety, and inclusiveness.
Dates
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Location
Chicago's McCormick Place
United States
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