US EditionChris Columbus Reveals Firing From 2005 Fantastic Four After Disputes over Concept Art and Creative Direction
Chris Columbus was dismissed in 1995 for opposing concept art that diverged from the original comics, though he later received executive producer credit without involvement in the final film.
- On Thursday, Chris Columbus said he was fired from 20th Century Fox's 2005 Fantastic Four after criticizing concept art, recalling, `I left that meeting and on the way back to my house, I got a call from the head of 20th Century Fox saying, 'You're fired. You had too much of an opinion,'`.
- Creative disputes centered on Chris Columbus advocating for Jack Kirby-inspired concept art and CGI for Ben Grimm, while 20th Century Fox preferred darker designs and practical effects.
- He had worked on early drafts and met the director while attached to produce, having penned a script years ago for Fantastic Four and pursuing superhero projects including a Daredevil script and Spider-Man interest.
- The firing left Chris Columbus discouraged and he said it `probably soured me a little` on the superhero genre, though he later directed the first two Harry Potter films and lost interest in superhero movies.
- The timing coincides with Columbus promoting The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix, debuting August 28, while 2025's The Fantastic Four: First Steps validates his comic-accurate adaptation views.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Chris Columbus says he was fired from 2005's 'Fantastic Four'
The veteran filmmaker admits the ordeal may have "soured" him a bit to the superhero genre.Hanna Flint/YouTube Chris ColumbusChris Columbus won't be contorting into the superhero genre anytime soon in part due to his experience on 2005's Fantastic Four.On a recent appearance on the Fade to Black podcast to discuss his latest Netflix feature, Thursday Murder Club, the veteran director and writer confirmed that he penned a script for what would be…
Blockbuster director was fired from first Fantastic Four for ‘having too much of an opinion’; delivered Rs 9,000 crore hit that changed cinema
This filmmaker, the force behind bringing to screen one of the most popular franchises of all time, was fired as an Executive Producer from the first Fantastic Four movie for giving too many creative inputs to the director.
‘Home Alone’ and ‘Harry Potter’ Director Says ‘I Was Fired’ From 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four’ Movie After Criticizing Concept Art; Studio Said ‘I Had Too Much of an Opinion’
Chris Columbus was fired from the original 'Fantastic Four' movie for having too many opinions, despite helming 'Harry Potter' and 'Home Alone' films.
Superheroes are not something that interests Chris Columbus, at least not anymore, and there is a good reason for it. In a recent episode of podcast Fade to Black, in which he mainly talked about his upcoming film for Netflix Thursday Murder Club, Columbus revealed that in 1995 he wrote a draft of what would end up being Fantastic Four. But when he later met with the director of the film and suggested that the production should be inspired more …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
