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Epoch Watchlist: Recommended Viewing for Aug. 1–7

Epoch Watchlist: Recommended Viewing for Aug. 1–7

Epoch Times3 days ago
This week, we feature a sweet family comedy about a bear and his adoptive family, and a World War II drama set in Burma's steamy jungles.
New Release
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'
Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) face trouble when Earth is threatened by Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). The Fantastic Four must rely on more than their powers.
The visuals pop but the heart is missing. Sue and Ben get real moments, but most of the others come off flat. The gender swap for Silver Surfer (from the original cartoon) feels forced and adds nothing. The film is a flashy start to a series, but I'm curious to see if future installments are better.
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‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Disappoints With $40 Million At Box Office In Second Weekend
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Disappoints With $40 Million At Box Office In Second Weekend

Forbes

time43 minutes ago

  • Forbes

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Disappoints With $40 Million At Box Office In Second Weekend

'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' grossed an estimated $40 million at the domestic box office over its second weekend in theaters, according to early estimates—falling below expectations and marking a steep decline after debuting at $117.6 million a week earlier. The Marvel film saw a 66% drop for its second weekend after opening with $117.6 million. Variety via Getty Images The new Fantastic Four adaptation starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bacharach and Joseph Quinn remained at the top of the box office charts over its second weekend after becoming Marvel Studios' biggest opening this year. However, box office sales dropped 66% compared to its opening weekend—largely in line with other second weekend declines from Marvel Studios films this year, including 'Captain America: Brave New World' (68% drop after opening at $88 million) and 'Thunderbolts*' (55% drop after opening at $74 million). Despite positive reviews and a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the Marvel film's second weekend lagged behind projections from Box Office Pro, which estimated the film would gross $45 million-$50 million over its second weekend. Two new comedies debuting over the weekend competed for the second spot, although neither came close to surpassing Marvel's blockbuster. 'The Bad Guys 2,' DreamWorks' new animated heist comedy with an ensemble cast, won the number two spot after opening at $22.8 million. The new reboot of 'The Naked Gun' starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson debuted at number three, grossing about $17 million after largely positive reviews and audience scores. Two holdover blockbusters rounded out the top five for the weekend: 'Superman' remained in theaters, grossing another $13 million over the weekend for fourth place, while 'Jurassic World Rebirth' continued its run with $8.4 million for fifth. Key Background Last weekend's opening for 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' notched a big win for Disney-owned Marvel Studios, whose major releases this year have opened behind their blockbusters of the past as critics warn that audiences are developing 'superhero fatigue.' However, DC Studios still holds the top spot for strongest superhero opening of 2025 so far after 'Superman' debuted at $125 million earlier in July.

Ioan Gruffudd's Still Fond of His ‘Fantastic Four' Tenure
Ioan Gruffudd's Still Fond of His ‘Fantastic Four' Tenure

Gizmodo

timean hour ago

  • Gizmodo

Ioan Gruffudd's Still Fond of His ‘Fantastic Four' Tenure

Even before Marvel Studios retook ownership of the Fantastic Four and got a new movie into production, there was always a bit of fondness for the old Fox movies. Not so much the 2015 one, but the mid-2000s pair directed by Tim Story and starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis still have their fans. Those films were general audiences' first introduction to the characters, and there remains a bit of attachment to those versions, particularly after Evans came back for brief, fiery thirds in Deadpool & Wolverine. In a recent Vulture interview, Gruffudd talked about still having 'pure excitement' over booking the role of Reed Richards. He didn't grow up reading the comics, but he felt a duty to portray Reed as 'naïve' about his powers at first, but still 'honorable and noble, and clearly a bookish character who was passionate about science and wanted to do good for the world.' 'There was a great belief that we needed to represent that friendship, camaraderie, bickering,' Gruffudd added about the dynamic with his costars. And we had that innately as actors when we got together. We all had our own responsibility, but then an understanding that this was a team, this was the Fantastic Four — we are one.' Speaking to the late Julian McMahon playing his rival Doctor Doom, he remembered his former costar as 'such a big part of this franchise and the success of the movies. You saw the envy and jealousy that Reed had towards Victor, and that there had been a friendship, so that sense of betrayal and devastation was an interesting aspect to play. […] You remember great performances from movies of this nature, like Gene Hackman in the original Superman, and that's the kind of flair and panache that Julian brought to this.' In Gruffudd's recollection, Story and everyone else were staying true to the 'lighter, family feel' of the Fantastic Four comics at the time, and he figured Fox's previous track record with the X-Men inherently meant the this would blossom into a franchise. The series ended with 2007's Rise of the Silver Surfer, though there were plans for a third movie that were later scrapped despite 'some sort of momentum.' These days, it wouldn't be out of the question for him to come back, but he says he's not been asked about it stretching one more time for Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars. But even if that never happens, he remains 'incredibly proud' of playing the character and getting to be 'part of something really beautiful and much bigger than you. And I'm excited that the comic and franchise lives on.' Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Ioan Gruffudd Reacts to Cut Wolverine Scene in 'Fantastic Four, 'Says It was a 'Thrill' to Play Hugh Jackman for a 'Brief Second'
Ioan Gruffudd Reacts to Cut Wolverine Scene in 'Fantastic Four, 'Says It was a 'Thrill' to Play Hugh Jackman for a 'Brief Second'

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Ioan Gruffudd Reacts to Cut Wolverine Scene in 'Fantastic Four, 'Says It was a 'Thrill' to Play Hugh Jackman for a 'Brief Second'

Gruffuff, who played Reed Richards in the 2005 'Fantastic Four,' said he doesn't know why the scene was scrappedNEED TO KNOW In the original Fantastic Four, Ioan Gruffudd's character briefly transforms into Wolverine However, the scene was cut from the final film "I don't know why that didn't make it into the film," Gruffudd told VultureA quirky deleted scene from the 2005 Fantastic Four film shows Reed Richards – played by Ioan Gruffudd – morphing his face into Wolverine in a playful attempt to impress Sue Storm, portrayed by Jessica Alba. Despite its intention of being a lighthearted nod to the X-Men franchise, the scene never made it into the final cut of the film. If it did, it would have been one of the earliest crossover teases in superhero cinema. Looking back, Gruffudd told Vulture in a recent interview that he was never told why the scene was scrapped. 'I don't know why that didn't make it into the film. Paying homage to the great Hugh Jackman was quite a thrill because I absolutely love him as an actor and his Wolverine,' he told the outlet. 'I'm glad that it has a chance to exist somewhere.' The 51-year-old actor also revealed that the scene was actually "a reshoot," noting, 'I was in Vancouver on a soundstage and Jessica was in New York, so we weren't actually together, but we look perfectly in sync.' Some fans believe the deleted Wolverine scene was cut due to its noticeably weak CGI, which made the moment feel more awkward than amusing. Others think the decision was made to avoid the complications of merging the Fantastic Four and X-Men universes, which were never fully connected on screen. Still, Gruffudd jokingly agreed that, technically speaking, he has "played both Mister Fantastic and Wolverine." "For a brief second, yes," he said with a laugh. "That's a good pub-quiz question." Gruffudd was the first to portray Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, the brilliant leader of the Fantastic Four, whose space experiment gone wrong gives him the power to stretch his body. He also returned in the 2007 sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. The 2015 reboot reimagined Reed as a college-age genius, played by Miles Teller, shifting the character away from the more mature version seen in earlier films. Now, a decade later, Pedro Pascal takes on the role in Marvel's reboot, aiming for a portrayal closer to the original comics. The Fantastic Four: First Steps premiered on July 25, 2025. Gruffudd attended the world premiere of the film at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles with his pregnant wife, Bianca Wallace. It marked their first red carpet appearance since announcing they are expecting a baby. The couple tied the knot earlier this year on April 25. Gruffudd also shares two daughters, Elsie, 11, and Ella, 15, with ex Alice Evans. Read the original article on People

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