Silver Surfer Movie (Sort of) Happening [Updated]

silver surfer movie on hold

[Update: Silver Surfer isn't as dead as first reported. See post for details.]

The last significant update we heard on the proposed Silver Surfer movie was last summer when director Alex Proyas said he’s definitely not working on the project, emphasizing that he’d never work with Fox studios again.

Since then, we have found out that Fox is pushing forward with the Fantastic Four reboot and that it would feature an entirely new cast. What does that mean for the Silver Surfer spin-off many were hoping for? Well, it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski recently spoke with Collider last week and touched on the subject, saying that the not-so-hot reception to Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer made the studio put plans for the Silver Surfer character on hold.

Straczynski’s script has been done for a while and is in the hands of Fox, however it’s tied into the last Fantastic Four movie and would have to be heavily re-worked.

“What happened was when ‘FF2’ didn’t do as well as they hoped it would do, it caused them to call into question a ‘Silver Surfer’ movie… The script that I wrote picked up right where ‘FF2’ left off. So if they do a ‘Silver Surfer’ film down the road, it’ll have to be its own separate things.”

“It was definitely adult fare. I wanted to tell the origin of the Surfer and get into that whole thing.”

As much as I love Doug Jones (who’s under contract to play the physical form of the Silver Surfer again), this movie just doesn’t make sense any way. Last month, the actor – who can be seen as Abe Sapien in the Hellboy movies or as the Ice Cream Man in next year’s Legion – expressed his interest in playing the character again:

“There are still a couple of years left on their option for two more pictures with me, as a three-picture deal is quite standard when starting a franchise-potential character. But with all the ‘re-boot’ talk of the ‘Fantastic Four’, I have no idea where that leaves the Silver Surfer end of things. I would love to re-visit this character. I do love Norrin Radd.”

UPDATE: Straczynksi is now back tracking a bit, claiming that his quote to Collider was taken out of context. Here’s his more “official” take on the whole Silver Surfer movie issue:

When I was asked about the Silver Surfer script, I responded about the one I’d written around the time that FF2 was launched, and was designed to pick up where that one left off.

When FF2 didn’t do as well as hoped for, that script was set aside, but that has NOTHING to do with the Silver Surfer script that is NOW under development at Fox with other folks. As far as I know, that is proceeding apace. So the hysteria that’s gripped the nets about “ohmygod the Surfer movie is dead!” is not correct, as I was again referring to only that one specific script tied into FF2, NOT what’s being done now.

Now, it should be noted that Straczynski is NOT involved with this new SS script over at Fox – but that the film is proceed “apace.” Sounds good for Surfer fans, but let’s not get TOO excited here…

The Fantastic Four franchise as we know it is dead, so how can the studio justify throwing a ton of money at a production for this character over their other titles and reboots of proven franchise properties? A Silver Surfer movie really wouldn’t sell with its tie-in franchise scrapped, set to be rebooted, and it pales in comparison to all of the other comic book properties and title characters coming out as feature films over the next few years.

silver surfer spinoff fantastic four

For it to work, our Silver surf dude friend would have to be introduced in the Fantastic Four reboot and if those movies are widely popular (at the very least more successful then their first two attempts), then they could build upon it with a spin-off.

For fans of the Silver Surfer and the Fantastic Four, you’ll have to wait until Fox launches their franchise reboot.

What do you think about a Silver Surfer solo adventure and the Fantastic Four reboot?

Source: Collider, MTV Splashpage, It’s Just Movies

Update Source: Silver Surfer Film

Darren Albert

Hey guys, the Silver Surfer film is moving forward. J. Michael Straczynski's been taken out of context and has already clarified this.

http://www.silversurferfilm.com/news/j-michael-...

greenknight333

@ Rob

"A Silver Surfer movie really wouldnâ€™t sell with its tie-in franchise scrapped, set to be rebooted, and it pales in comparison to all of the other comic book properties and title characters coming out as feature films over the next few years."

I agree with the first part of that statement because if it involved characters(actors) from a scrapped franchise then it wouldn't make sense to have two sets of actors playing the same characters in two different movies. However the Surfer certainly does not pale in comparison to other properties out there right now. Kick Ass, Wanted, Preacher are just a few of the titles that are getting the big screen treatment and they aren't as deserving as the Surfer character is IMO. DOn't get me wrong I am all for as many of these movies being made as possible but I don't agree with the second part of your statement. Surfer has a rich history and some really great story arcs that would translate very well to the bigscreen..I would personally love to see the Surfer take on Thanos or Adam Warlock on the big screen. He is one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe and translation to the big screen would be no less credible than what they are trying to do with Green Lantern...

Cheers

Packy

I think if Fox were to put together a Silver Surfer film that covered his origin, had him take down a proper Galactus, and was independent of the Fantastic Four film (and I'm not one of those that hated those movies, far from my favorite films but they were fun popcorn flicks) I think they would have a hit on their hands. Go ahead and introduce some of the core classic supporting cast, such as: Firelord, Nova, Terrax, and/or the Guardians of the Galaxy, and I'm sold. I think an audience would be too. Hell, get Zemeckis to direct it, since just about everyone in it is gonna be CG anyway.

Although, truth be told, JMS should probably just sell his script to Lionsgate and have them turn it into a Marvel Animated movie. It would probably do really well in the direct to video market.

Darren Albert

Thanks for the update. Personally, I don't share the view that the film can't work. It would be epic, yes, but the Silver Surfer story is one of enormous depth and emotional charge. He's the perfect "torn" character. When I first heard of it years ago when I was kid, I thought how ridiculous a silver guy flying through space on a surf board sounded. But once I read quite a few of the comics, I became hooked on the character and have been for decades. In fact, I thought the best thing about Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer were the surfer scenes. Naturally it would have to be done right, but the story is there, so if they can make Avatar a big all CGI blockbuster, or the upcoming Green Lantern as someone else mentioned, then I don't see why at the very least it doesn't have BIG potential.

M-Cat

He's a very cool character so hopefully they don't change how he looked from the fantastic four.

joeslankas

I'm a huge fan of the Silver Surfer. I actually have him tattooed on me. That being said, I thought the second FF film was better than the first, even though it didn't do as well at the box office.

All that being said, I think if you try to spin the surfer into a film for adults, you'll lose a tremedous amount of money. Make it PG13, and pick up where FF2 left off. Give us some bad ass cameos of Galactus destroying cities, and wicked fight scenes. The surfer's betrayal of the purple planet eater defines his character just as much as vowing to serve him to begin with. We can also at that point watch Frankie (the super hot blonde army gal that Johnny Storm picked up on in FF2) vow her servitude to Galactus and become Nova. Silver DD's anyone? :p

Can't wait.

BRAVEHEART

Great news..Great character....God I can remember reading in Marvel's 'Foom' comic 30 years ago...about how they were hoping to make a Surfer movie...in the wake of Superman....and we're still talking about it now!!! At least we sort of got a pretty good attempt with the totally under-rated FF movie('s)...they were fun folks...and we got little hints about Galactus...which sort of kept him a mystery for a future movie....
I just hope Marvel & Fox through a huge amount of cash at a Surfer movie and give us one hell of a film!!!

John "Kahless" Taylor

Galactus started out as nothing but energy (after our universe was created, that is) and was given a suit to contain his enormous power. They could have a movie about the SS following the events of the last FF movie. Galactus lands on a planet many lightyears from earth. The inhabitants detect him and create a suit to hold his energy. It's not the same origin but it would still work. One thing I didn't like about the last film was the SS getting his powers from the board. The real origin of the SS has Galactus giving him those powers to be his herald, and he punishes SS by confining him to earth. Other than that, a movie could work.

Darren seeley

I'm not sharing Rob's views that Silver Surfer cannot work without the Fantastic Four; If anything, the Fantastic Four could not work without the Silver Surfer.

Furthermore, Fox is also planning the Deadpool film---which will still have Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson. Now, since that film supposedly will slightly retcon the Wolverine film, or even take place outside the X-Men franchise, why cannot The Silver Surfer be the same?

A Surfer origin (and a Galactus origin) can work independent of the FF. If the FF reboot never happens, then the Surfer film could still be connected but still stand on its own. If the FF is rebooted, Surfer can still be connected, having been 'rebooted' as well, yet still could stand on its own.

With Fox having the X-Men films, there might be room for an all new Surfer film, but not with the restarts of Fantastic Four and Daredevil (the latter of which I don't think they should restart, but continue on) -- the slate is full.

vkatnyte

Fox just needs to get their act together,pronto..
I mean how many movies this past year put them back in the black??1 or 2, including Wolverine??.I believe all in all they are still borderlining on a financial dilemma ala MGM if they don't start respecting processes and especially writers of the original material..I seriously believe now that Marvel Productions is slowly evolving into a major film company, that this is pushing the envelope, not just with the way hollywood produces films but the processes and respective involvement of more than just a director and producer, but the initial team of indivdual writers,artists,screenwriters and filmmakers.Directors such as Jon Favreau and J.J.Abrams and though I hate to say it Michael Bay, have all embaced not only the mythology and continuity of their respective characters but also those who have helped build those characters over time, thus creating blockbuster films. I also believe that you can also put Chris Nolan and Peter jackson in that category as well, considering that they both took properties that at the time no one wanted to touch because 1: they were considered "unfilmable" and 2:the franchise was considered ruined by previous directors. Fox needs to follow suit asap!!
Stop searching for the next big director, stop trying to change product midway during filming, stop hiring middlemen to finish a possible $500 million grossing film, stop half-stepping during post-production especially with cgi and most importantly- pay respect to the product,its writers and its mythology..