Why did we never get a Fantastic Four 3? Reasons explained by the star

Pedro Pascal may have become the MCU’s Mister Fantastic, but fans still fondly remember the Fantastic Four star Ioan Gruffudd as their favorite elastic “rubber man.”

The Welsh actor appeared in Tim Story’s 2005 movie and its sequel, which arrived two years later. It followed the four heroes as they went into space and returned with their mysterious powers. Johnny could turn into flames, Sue could project an invisible force field, Ben had superhuman strength, while Reed could be malleable. However, unlike Matt Shakman’s new film, the earlier films were lighthearted fun.

Even if the critics didn’t appreciate them at the time, fans were charmed. So, a follow-up third film could have been a major draw among them. There was also a plan to make a Fantastic Four threequel, as explained by Gruffudd in his recent conversation with Vulture. When asked about a planned trilogy, he said,

“The mindset was that we were going to do three, and I think the second movie was equally successful as the first and equally enjoyable for the fans. I particularly loved working with Doug Jones [as the Silver Surfer] on that movie, who’s just a terrific artist and an expert in the field of movement. If you want to witness somebody bringing a character to life physically, he’s just untouchable. So there was definitely that sort of momentum, and the plan was to do three movies, but these decisions are beyond my control.”

Why was Fantastic Four 3 never made?

A still from Fantastic Four (Image via YouTube/Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers)

After the release of Fantastic Four 2, dubbed Rise of the Silver Surfer, there were plans to make a third movie. It could have starred Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis. According to Vulture, the stars had also signed a contract for three F4 movies. However, a third movie, starring them, never materialized.

Instead, another attempt to revive these characters was made in 2015 by 20th Century Fox, which was a critical and commercial misfire. The reason why Gruffudd’s Reed Richards never made a return may have to do with the beginning of the MCU, the year after the F4 sequel arrived in theaters.

As the MCU, Marvel’s revival of their comic books was far more warmly received than its prior attempts at 20th Century Fox. It might have been a reason we never got to see the Welsh actor playing the ultra-flexible man again. Regardless, unlike the new movie, the earlier films established a connection between the First Family and Victor Von Doom, even before the end-credits scene.

The previous Fantastic Four movies revealed how Doctor Doom knew the First Family.

"The Reunion" Photocall - 61st Monte Carlo TV Festival - Source: Getty

The 2005 film showed the First Family entering the spaceship with Victor Von Doom, CEO of an industry named after him. It also explored the origins of Doom’s rivalry with Reed. Doom was jealous of Reed because Sue preferred him over him. It might also be how the upcoming MCU slate connects the supervillain with the four heroes.

Before that happens, if Ioan Gruffudd’s fans want to know whether he would return as Mister Fantastic in the MCU, here’s what he told Vulture,

“I’m not in the new movie. Fans are convinced that I’m going to be in a particular aspect of this universe that hasn’t been written or filmed yet. But this idea of people showing up has been introduced, like Chris in Deadpool, or I think Mister Fantastic appeared in the guise of John Krasinski at one point. So, no, I haven’t been approached to reprise Mister Fantastic. But you never know.”