Michael Chiklis, who brought Ben Grimm/The Thing to life in the 2005 Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer, says critics badly misjudged those films – and that time is finally proving them wrong. Speaking to Collider, Chiklis recalled how the movies were slammed by reviewers but embraced by audiences, pointing to their combined box office haul of nearly $635 million as proof that they “got a lot right.”
“There were a lot of critics who got it wrong.
They really maligned our films,” Chiklis said. “The audience loved them. They may have been imperfect, but they were family-friendly, fun movies – and that still remains.”
The first film, which featured a pre-Captain America Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, holds a 28% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audience rating sits at 45%. The sequel fared slightly better at 37% from critics and 51% from viewers. For Chiklis, however, the charm of those movies was never about critical acclaim. “All these years later, people are acknowledging they were really good for what they were,” he said.
Co-star Ioan Gruffudd (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic) revealed there were early plans for a trilogy, buoyed by the films’ financial success. “The mindset was to do three,” Gruffudd told Vulture. “The second was just as successful and enjoyable for fans. Working with Doug Jones as the Silver Surfer was incredible – he’s a master of physical performance. But the third film never happened, and that was out of our control.”
Fans remain divided. Some remember them as lighthearted, colorful superhero adventures, especially compared to the grim 2015 reboot. Others point to their flaws – from a lackluster Dr. Doom to cringeworthy moments like Reed dancing or Johnny’s motocross stunt. Yet many agree the casting was spot-on, and that Chiklis’s Thing brought depth, humor, and heart to the team dynamic.
Meanwhile, the new MCU entry, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has already surpassed every prior Fantastic Four film at the global box office with $434.2 million. Still, its sharp drop-offs in later weeks have sparked debate over whether Marvel will view it as a disappointment ahead of next year’s Avengers: Doomsday. Whether or not nostalgia is clouding judgment, Chiklis’s defense has reignited conversation about an era when superhero films could be unapologetically cheesy – and still win over their audience.