Only a few months ago, I reported that the Fantastic Four movie franchise was probably over with. But I was wrong - dead wrong. Rising from their own ashes, Marvel characters The Human Torch, Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba (I mean Sue Storm) and The Thing will be fantastic again, thanks to a reboot now underway from 20th Century Fox.

No irony to be seen, it appears that this return of the franchise, (which was left in bubble gum, PG-rated ruins in 2007), will be pioneered by Akiva Goldsman. For those keeping track at home, yes - that's the screenwriter who left the Batman series in bubble-gum, quip happy ruins back in 1997 with the fantastically awful Batman and Robin.

However, Goldsman will not write this reboot but instead produce it. Michael Green, a co-writer of the upcoming Green Lantern and co-executive producer of NBC's "Heroes" will take over screenwriting duties.

As for the cast of the "original" Fantastic Four films, even Variety doesn't know who will return (if at all). 20th Century Fox refused to comment further.

Some of you may be scratching your heads. "But Nick, didn't you just say that Disney owns Marvel now? How is this possible?"

Here's your answer: While Mickey Mouse may have a choke hold on 5,000+ characters from the Marvel Universe, Fox still has control of Fantastic Four - as long as the company keeps making their movies. (Fox also has the same deal with characters Daredevil, X-Men, and Silver Surfer) That being said, at least three X-Men movies are in the works, (X-Men Origins: First Class, X-Men Origins: Magneto and the Deadpool film), along with Silver Surfer's own spin-off. According to Variety, "Marvel is a producer and financial participant through a licensing agreement."

My coincidence alarm doesn't ring for this news, especially since it comes so close to Disney's envelopment of Marvel Entertainment. Still, one can't blame Fox for trying work with what properties they have left.

At the same time, I can't imagine what Fantastic Four's new direction would be. A bit more serious? A tad less popcorn-y, and more leaning towards the three X-Men films? If anything, let's hope that some type of an improvement is made with this reboot.

What do you think? Excited to see the Four back on the screen? Do you hope the casting is the same? What do you want to see change?

Source: Variety