There are a lot of things wrong with Josh Trank’s ‘Fantastic Four.’ I could go on and on about the pacing or the writing, but one thing that they did get right in the reboot was the names. It was the least they could do right? But that wasn’t always the case with this version of the legendary villain of Marvel’s First Family. Now, the actor behind Doctor Doom opens up about the changes from the source material that appear in the film, some of which were changed back in post.
Previously, Toby Kebbell shared that the team’s primary antagonist Doctor Doom would be named Victor Domashev rather than Victor Von Doom. However, the name change apparently didn’t stick as the character is addressed as “Victor Von Doom”. While speaking to Collider to promote the movie, the actor discusses this change, which came about due to the fan reaction to it. Kebbell also touches on the prosthetics used to create the robotic look of Doom and he hints that the Doom that comes back from Planet Zero (AKA the Negative Zone) may have been a Doombot. I have some thoughts on that, but first the interview, followed by the official synopsis of the movie:
FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
Right, so the Doombot thing. This either sounds like wishful thinking on the part of Kebbell or Fox’s way of subtly retconning the events of the Trank’s film. The reason why I don’t believe this Doom to be a Doombot is because of the powers exhibited by the rogue after his transformation as seen in the clip below:
As we’ve seen in some trailers and in the clip, the powers that Doom possesses in this incarnation of the story are just too powerful. I’m well aware that the laws of the Negative Zone aren’t like the ones in our world and I recall that Doombots have been known to harness some of the master’s powers in the past, but even still, I find it incredibly hard to believe that Toby Kebbell’s Doctor Doom was actually some kind of robot. It just doesn’t fully add up. Although, if that were the case, then Fox would be able to cover their asses on some terrible storytelling. Regardless, you might just have to decide for yourself. Or you could take my word for it and not waste your money on the upcoming reboot.
What do you think about Josh Trank and company changing Doctor Doom’s real name and then changing it back after the initial reaction from the fans? Are you glad that they’ve at least got the name right? Or do you think that the newest version of the character hardly deserves the name of Victor Von Doom? Sound off in the comment section.
‘Fantastic Four’ starring Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, and Tim Blake Nelson hits theaters on August 7, 2015.
