Ioan Gruffudd Reflects on the Lost Potential of a Third Fantastic Four Film
Ioan Gruffudd, best known for his role as Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards) in 20th Century Fox’s Fantastic Four films, recently shared his thoughts on the canceled plans for a third installment in the franchise. In an engaging Q&A with Vulture, coinciding with the release of Marvel’s latest project, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the Welsh actor expressed his pride in being part of such an iconic series, which includes the 2005 film Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
Gruffudd reminisced, stating, "The mindset was that we were going to do three films. I believe the second movie was just as successful and enjoyable for fans as the first." He fondly recalled collaborating with Doug Jones, who brilliantly portrayed the Silver Surfer, highlighting Jones’s exceptional talent in bringing characters to life through movement. "He’s untouchable in that regard," Gruffudd remarked, reflecting on the creative chemistry that fueled the franchise’s momentum.
Despite both early 2000s superhero films grossing over $300 million and receiving mixed to positive reviews, Fox decided against moving forward with a third film and opted to reboot the franchise by 2009. The 2015 reboot, featuring Miles Teller as Reed Richards, unfortunately, fell short both critically and at the box office.
Gruffudd also opened up about the emotional toll of losing a beloved character. “As an actor, you grieve every role you’ve played, and this was no different. It was a significant milestone in my career, and after portraying Reed Richards over several years, the character becomes part of you,” he explained. The actor expressed his excitement for the comic and franchise’s continued evolution with Marvel’s reimagining set in the 1960s.
However, when asked about a potential return to the role of Mister Fantastic, Gruffudd clarified, “I’m not in the new movie. There are fans who believe I might appear in some future aspect of this universe, but as of now, I haven’t been approached to reprise the role. That said, you never know what the future holds.”
Since its release on July 25, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has garnered nearly $200 million at the box office, though it experienced a significant 66% drop in revenue during its second weekend, paralleling the performance of Captain America: Brave New World.
For more updates on the Fantastic Four franchise and Ioan Gruffudd’s insights, stay tuned!
