The Punisher - Marvel Comics Movies

Frank Castle, The Punisher, was created by Gerry Conway, John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru.
When he was created (February 1974), he was unique in comic book characters at the time, because he was REALLY a vigilante.
The Punisher didn't just tie the bad guys up so the cops would find them later, he would "punish" them by any means he saw fit.
Of course this was not as unique as some people thought.
For example, early in his career, Batman maimed and killed criminals, and even used guns.
And although I can't find any back up info, I believe the original Hangman from MLJ Comics played judge, jury and executioner as well.
But the Punisher brought this style of crime fighting back into vogue.

The Punisher has been the subject of three movies...

The Punisher (1989)
The first was the straight to video "The Punisher" (1989) starring Dolph Lundgren and Louis Gossett, Jr..
I have to admit, I rented this movie when it came out and watched it in a room full of comic book fans.
We made it about half way through it.
Now though, the film has gathered somewhat of a cult following and it actually may not be as bad as I remember.
I haven't tested that theory though.
The Punisher (2004)

The second movie was 2004's The Punisher.
This film had a higher budget and starred Thomas Jane, John Travolta, Will Patton and Rebecca Romijn.
The movie got mainly negative reviews from critics, but pulled in enough money for Marvel to start work on a sequel titled The Punisher 2, which later was changed to Punisher: War Zone.
Punisher: War Zone (2008)

In 2008, Punisher: War Zone, became the third reboot of the series, and Ray Stevenson became the third man to portray The Punisher.
Like the other films, critics were not in love with the movie, but fans seem to have embraced it even though on it's opening weekend, it only managed to place 8th at the box office.
Critics called it "joyless".
But the hero of the movie is The Punisher.
It's not gonna be a happy go lucky film.
The critics did seem to like Ray Stevenson's performance, but there are whispered rumors of another sequel from Marvel.

Marvel Comics Movies - Fantastic Four

The first superhero team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, The Fantastic Four appeared in The Fantastic Four #1 November 1961.
As much of a family as they were a superhero team, the FF caught on fast and soon became one of Marvel Comic's top sellers.
Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben never went the secret identity route, but embraced their fame and celebrity status.
And their fame with readers sent The Fantastic Four, or "The Greatest Comics Magazine in the World!!" as Marvel said into all kinds of media, including movies.

The Fantastic Four (1994)
The first Fantastic Four movie as sadly just an exercise to allow the producers to secure the copyrights to the property.
It was The Fantastic Four, made in 1994.
The film was produced by B-Movie legend Roger Corman and Bernd Eichinger.
Even though the film was made just to hold onto the copyright and never intended for release, the actors and crew were never told that.
The film starred Alex Hyde-White as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Rebecca Staab as Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman, Michael Bailey Smith as Ben Grimm and Jay Underwood as Johnny Storm / The Human Torch. Although Michael Bailey Smith played Ben Grimm, Carl Ciarfalio was under the make-up as The Thing.
Corman made the film for under 2 million dollars.
As far as bad movies go, Wizard Magazine ranks this film as better (worse) than Batman & Robin, Steel, Virus and Red Sonja.
The best way to find this movie is bootleg copies.

The Fantastic Four (2005)
The franchise got a major reboot with The Fantastic Four (2005).
This movie was made for $100 million and grossed over $330 million worldwide.
It starred Ioan Gruffudd as Dr. Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba as Susan Storm / Invisible Woman, Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm / The Thing and Chris Evans as Johnny Storm / Human Torch.
Julian McMahon portrayed a sort of "Ultimates" version of Dr. Doom.
The critics didn't love this movie, but I liked it.
Except for the way they did Dr.Doom.
It wasn't the greatest superhero movie ever made by any means, but I still don't think it was the worst.
And the movie performed well enough for a sequel.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The FF returned in 2007 with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
The original cast returned with the addition of Doug Jones as the body of the Silver Surfer, and Laurence Fishburne as his voice.
Some critics liked the sequel better than the original.
But the film didn't pull in enough to go ahead and green light a third movie.
Fantastic Four Reboot?

Fantastic Four Reboot
20th Century Fox has announced plans to overhaul the Fantastic Four film franchise with a new movie produced by Akiva Goldsman and scripted by Michael Green.
This came right after the news of the proposed merger with Disney.
Akiva Goldsman won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind.
But he also did Lost in Space, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.
He's currently working on Jonah Hex and the movie adaptation of Teen Titans.
Television and film writer, as well as a comic book scripter, Michael Green has worked on the upcoming Green Lantern movie, the NBC TV series Heroes, Everwood, Jack and Bobby, Smallville, Kings and Snoops.