Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's the Fantastic Four

Greetings again from the darkness. Most people over age 30 remember the release of Tim Burton's Batman Returns, the sequel to his 1989 hit. The film's budget was $80 million, which seems remarkably low compared to the $250 million (or more) budget of today's superhero and comic book film adaptations. Putting all of that in perspective, and providing the best ever look at low budget filmmaking, comes this documentary from director Marty Langford. It's a look back at the ONE million dollar production of Marvel's iconic The Fantastic Four (the same year as Batman Returns), and how backroom negotiations provided a stake to the heart of those involved.

We are shown a quote from Stan Lee: "The movie was never supposed to be shown to anyone." It's a quote that we understand by the end of Langford's story, but still makes little sense. In 1992, producer Bernd Eichinger realized his rights to these famous Marvel characters were expiring at year end. He contacted the master of "B" movies, Roger Corman, who gave his production team one weekend to come up with a workable plan. What followed was the "movie magic" that we rarely glimpse. Even with that low budget, the script was written, the movie was cast and shooting began (with no rehearsal) … the ultimate rushed production.

The documentary connects the dots between Eichinger, Corman, Troma Entertainment, Marvel Studios, Neue Constantine Films, and Avi Arad; however, the real heart and soul comes courtesy of the interviews with the actors and production crew who were so involved. Looking back with nostalgia, pride and frustration, these folks clearly represent the "get it done" attitude that is so crucial in low budget filmmaking. Their disappointment in never having the film released is evident a quarter century later in their words and their faces.

In what could be described as a conspiracy … though more appropriately as yet another clash in the age old art vs. business battle … the cast and crew were manipulated into believing the film would be released. Many made publicity appearances at festivals, and a trailer was cut and shown in many theatres. Unfortunately (for all but a few), the production was merely a ploy to drive up the demand and cost for the rights … as Avi Arad envisioned a slick, high-budget version of the franchise (there have been two failed versions in the years since).

Some of those interviewed include director Oley Sassone, editor Glenn Garland, Joseph Culp (Doctor Doom, son of Robert Culp), Jay Underwood (Johnny Storm), Alex Hyde-White (Reed Richards), Rebecca Staab (Sue Storm), Michael Bailey Smith (Ben Grimm), and Carl Ciarfalo (The Thing). We mostly get the viewpoint of those who were so close to the film, though there is a brief clip of Roger Corman claiming he was under the impression that it was a legitimate film project … this despite his healthy cash out.

Since a copy of the film was "rescued" by the director and editor, it has become something of an urban legend among the comic book fan base … a cult film that never had its day on the big screen. The best comparison might be a bootleg version of a deep cut of a Springsteen song in the 1970's. Everything gets released today, but in those days, studios had a way to control what was seen (and what wasn't). This is a well made documentary on an unusual topic – and a reminder that the artists just want their work seen, while the business side just wants the money.

While I favorited this on YouTube for years, it wasn't until the recent release of Fantastic Four: First Steps that I decided to finally see and review this documentary of the unreleased Roger Corman production of that Marvel superhero family just now. I had previously watched that and reviewed it on this site under my previous unsername tavm back on December 7, 2006. I gave it a 4 and thought the first hour was very entertaining but the second part nearly fell apart. Still, I enjoyed it for what it was and wished it had gotten a proper release so mass audiences could enjoy the work of Alex Hyde-White (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Rebecca Staab (Sue Storm Richards/The Invisible Woman), Jay Underwood (Johnny Storm/The Human Touch), Michael Bailey Smith (Ben Grimm), Carl Ciarfalio (The Thing, yes, the last two parts were cast separately), Joseph Culp (Victor Von Doom/Dr. Doom), and director Oley Sassone, all of whom were interviewed as well as Corman. To them, it was a labor of love and none of them seemed to have known that it was made so that the original producer could keep the filming rights for a few years and sell the property to a major studio which turned out to be 20th Century-Fox which made the first official version in 2005 which I remember also enjoying at the time. It's fascinating how the cast went through a publicity tour on their own dime and didn't know until it was supposed to debut at a mall that the thing would never be released. But then, a bootleg copy made it to DVDs and YouTube has multiple copies (which is where I saw that version) and so, this version is known and, in many cases, loved even more than the subsequent major studio versions. Supposedly, the current Marvel Studios one is much, much better. Still, this original version gets marks for being the first one ever made, that's for sure! So, yeah, Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four is well worth seeing.

This is an excellent documentary. It shows the seedy underside of Hollywood film making. It's also an exclusive look on how not to do what should be a big budget movie on a no-movie budget. I'm pretty sure Corman pocketed a lot of the money the investors put up. The movie is horrible yes, but what's more horrible is that the people who made this movie really wanted to make a great movie and they tried. They were betrayed by the producers and money men. Marvel even tried to deny that this ever existed, but were foiled by the hundreds of bootlegs available.

As often happens, this "story behind the movie documentary" is almost as compelling as the film itself. "Doomed: The Untold Story Of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four" is a beguiling, superbly edited piece that will make you laugh and also maybe even make you cry - if you are a true lover of movies, that is. As well as being fully entertained, I learned a lot from this documentary about low budget Hollywood. "Doomed" chronicles one of the strangest production experiences American moviedom has ever generated. What you begin to realize from watching this documentary is that it really should not have been possible to make a movie that's this entertaining under these daunting – even harrowing – "Roger Corman Presents" conditions. Indeed, it's easy to see why Mr. Corman might not even want his mysterious "Fantastic Four" to ever be seen – it could well annihilate his reputation as the arch-purveyor of cinematic crap! Many of the better low budget films can deliver a few sparkling scenes – but there's always the inevitable point where it all falls apart and you just have to chuckle. It's clear that this does NOT happen in this original, "spartan" version of the "Fantastic Four" story. Clips from the film illustrate that, somehow, the story remains intriguing, the performances continue to be compelling, the special effects are exciting, and the delicious "comic book look" keeps you enthralled – all the way through! It is nothing short of a quiet little miracle. This energetic, fun-loving documentary features really absorbing interviews with key members of the cast and crew as it probes all the little corners of this intriguing semi-lost production. Now I know what I want. (A) To see the original "Roger Corman's Fantastic Four on the big screen, and (B) to buy the disc that has not only the movie itself – but also this beautifully done, dazzling documentary on it as well!

I recently watched the documentary Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four (2015). The film chronicles the making of the 1990s Fantastic Four, produced on a shoestring budget, under a tight deadline, and with plenty of hope from its cast and crew. But just as filming wrapped, politics, Marvel's financial ambitions, and a quiet payoff ensured the movie would never see an official release.

Written and directed by Marty Langford-in his only directorial project-the documentary features Roger Corman (The Raven), Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger), Oley Sassone (Fast Getaway II), Michael Bailey Smith (The Hills Have Eyes), and Joseph Culp (Apollo 13).

What makes this so compelling is how effectively it reunites the original cast, director, producers, and special effects team to tell this bizarre story. The underground copy of the film is already legendary in comic-con circles, and after watching this, I'm determined to track one down. The documentary clearly lays out how and why the project was shelved, and while the film itself is likely terrible-and may have hurt Marvel's 2000s relaunch-I still believe it deserved a chance at release. Corman directing a superhero movie is something I absolutely need in my life, as are some of the other unrealized projects teased here from directors like Wes Craven.

For all the criticism it gets for being low-budget, The Thing's costume looked fantastic, the classic '90s Corman sets were pure nostalgia, and the backstory on the studio was both hilarious and a little depressing. I was impressed by the cast's determination to bring the film to market, as well as by the sheer lengths (and payouts) the studios went to in order to bury it. This is a classic Hollywood story of hope, money, and compromise-one that's played out countless times and will happen again.

In conclusion, Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four offers a fascinating glimpse into a little-known chapter of Hollywood history. I'd score it 7.5/10 and strongly recommend it to fans of the superhero genre.