In June 2007 when Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was released it was intended to not only be the middle film of a trilogy of Fantastic Four pictures but also the springboard for a planned solo Silver Surfer movie.
The main cast of Fantastic Four; Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis & Julian McMahon, had all signed three-movie deals (although McMahon's was originally a single movie deal, when he negotiated for the sequel he was also signed up for the third movie).
In promotional interviews for Rise Of The Silver Surfer, Michael Chiklis revealed that his character Ben Grimm's relationship with Alicia Masters would be explored in greater focus in the third film, and Jessica Alba teased the possibility of her character Susan Storm and Ioan Gruffudd's Dr Reed Richards becoming super-parents with the introduction of Franklin Richards. Director Tim Story said that not only was interested in directing a third Fantastic Four film but also, if the opportunity was to arise, a fourth too.
Although he had no formal agreement in place, Don Payne, the co-writer of Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer, stated he was interested in working with more Fantastic Four characters if given the chance...
"I’ve always loved the Inhumans, the Skrulls, the Puppet Master, and Annihilus and the Negative Zone."So not only where the contracts in place but there was certainly enthusiasm among the cast and crew for a third film.
In September 2006, Doug Jones was confirmed to be playing the Silver Surfer in the second Fantastic Four feature film, and his contract included an option for a solo Silver Surfer spin-off movie. Before Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer had premiered, 20th Century Fox hired J. Michael Straczynski to write the screenplay for this spin-off film. At the 2007 San Diego Comic Con, Straczynski revealed that not only would his script act as a sequel to the events depicted in Fantastic Four Rise Of The Silver Surfer, but it will also delve into the Surfer's origins.
"...the Surfer's origins and powers are similar to those of his comic-book incarnation, in that he agrees to become Galactus' herald in return for the safety of his home world and the woman he loved. Also, if the Surfer is separated from his board, he becomes weaker; in addition, the board also serves as a beacon for Galactus."Sadly, by the time that year's Comic Con had ended it was clear that Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was performing nowhere near as well as 20th Century Fox had hoped, and although banking $301 million worldwide against a $130 million budget, it was less than the first film in the series had made on a smaller production cost.
In July 2007 a spokesperson for 20th Century Fox confirmed they were unsure of the franchises' future, and that, at that time, no script was being developed further for either the sequel or spin-off. Chris Evans, who had played Johnny Storm / Human Torch, also added,
"I'm pretty sure we won’t do another one. I’m assuming that one is a closed book."
And that was it for The Fantastic Four. Apparently there was some kind of reboot in 2015? It's best for all involved if we don't talk about that though. Marvel's First Family will eventually join the MCU. Ant-Man director Peyton Reed was interested in making that so but Spider-Man's Jon Watts is currently slated to be behind the camera for the latest take. It's anyone's guess when that arrives at this point.
As for the Silver Surfer, well new development surfaced in 2018 when it was announced that writer Brian K. Vaughan was attached to a new Silver Surfer script. Perhaps the Surfer may also catch a wave when Mr Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the Thing get to be Fantastic together again?
Previously
DAZZLER: THE MOVIE
The Mid 80s SPIDER-MAN: THE MOVIE
JAMES CAMERON'S SPIDER-MAN
WESLEY SNIPES' BLACK PANTHER
PEYTON REED'S FANTASTIC FOUR
X-MEN ORIGINS: MAGNETO
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