XPost: rec.arts.tv, rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe, rec.arts.movies.past-films   
   From: weberm@polaris.net   
      
   By Alan Ng | August 2, 2025   
      
   Marty Langford’s "Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s The Fantastic   
   Four" is a documentary that chronicles the strange and troubled history of   
   the 1994 Fantastic Four movie produced by Roger Corman and directed by Oley   
   Sassone. Intended to be the first big-screen adaptation of Marvel’s first   
   family, the film was secretly greenlit and rushed into production with a   
   budget only slightly higher than that of a typical Roger Corman movie. Cast   
   members, including Alex Hyde-White (Reed Richards), Jay Underwood (Johnny   
   Storm), Rebecca Staab (Sue Storm), and Michael Bailey Smith (Ben Grimm), all   
   believed this was an earnest attempt to make a legitimate Marvel movie.   
      
   The documentary follows the cast, crew, and even on-set journalist Chris Gore   
   as they share memories of the breakneck, low-budget shoot. They describe the   
   inventive special effects team trying to make cosmic superpowers work on a   
   shoestring, and the camaraderie that formed between the actors as they poured   
   their hearts into what they thought would be their big break. As production   
   wrapped, enthusiasm was high, with everyone expecting a theatrical release.   
   The cast even went on a publicity tour, including a signing at the Film   
   Threat booth at San Diego Comic Con. But the completed film was quietly   
   shelved, its existence denied by the studio.   
      
   Through interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, Doomed! reveals the truth   
   behind why the film was never released…or as some speculate, was never meant   
   to be released. We even get some details behind the appearance of bootleg   
   copies emerging at various cons and shows around the world.   
      
      
   “…chronicles the strange and troubled history of the 1994 Fantastic Four   
   movie…”   
      
   Watching Doomed!, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a time when making   
   movies was fun, like when the Little Rascals or Mickey and Judy would put on   
   a show. There was nothing but excitement on the set of The Fantastic Four,   
   where the dream of appearing on the big screen felt so real you could touch   
   it. Then there’s the movie magic involved in bringing superpowers to life.   
   Ironically, this was the year Jurassic Park premiered, ushering in a new   
   world of CG-visual effects. I still think the Thing mask is a robotic marvel.   
      
   The final act reveals the reason behind the film’s cancellation. It’s   
   heartbreaking because fans were denied the chance to see the Fantastic Four   
   on screen, and soul-crushing how studio politics took precedence over the   
   promotion and anticipation.   
      
   In the end, Marty Langford tells a compelling story. It feels complete, and   
   it feels true. He effectively evokes nostalgia for a film that has “never   
   been seen.” He also ends on a bright note, considering everyone got screwed.   
   Many make-goods were made for director Oley Sassone, and even the cast of   
   this Fantastic Four found their way into cameos in The Fantastic Four: First   
   Steps.   
      
   Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s The Fantastic Four (2015)   
   Directed and Written: Marty Langford   
   Starring: Alex Hyde-White, Jay Underwood, Rebecca Staab, Michael Bailey   
             Smith, Chris Gore, Oley Sassone, etc.   
   Movie score: 8/10   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)