The Thing, from left, Michael B Jordan as Johnny Storm, Miles Teller as Dr Reed Richards, and Kate Mara as Sue Storm, in a scene from Fantastic Four. Twentieth Century Fox via AP
The Thing, from left, Michael B Jordan as Johnny Storm, Miles Teller as Dr Reed Richards, and Kate Mara as Sue Storm, in a scene from Fantastic Four. Twentieth Century Fox via AP

Fans petition Fox to return Fantastic Four rights to Marvel



Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Fox's much-maligned Fantastic Four reboot, directed by Josh Trank. First came the dismal reviews, then an opening weekend's box office around half of the US$50M the studio had predicted, and now fans have started a petition demanding that Fox returns the rights for the franchise to original owner Marvel Studios, who in fairness do currently have a better reputation for making movies of their own properties than anyone else. The petition has already reached more than 14,000 signatures.

Ordinarily, it would be surprising for a studio to give up the rights to such a high profile property, particularly to a competitor, but with such a terrible response to the latest version, as well as the fact that none of the previous versions were particularly well received, and rumours abounding that Fox has shelved plans for a 2017 sequel, perhaps they'd be happy to cash in on whatever they can get for the bedeviled franchise and admit defeat? • Fantastic Four opens across the UAE on Thursday, August 13

cnewbould@thenational.ae

Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Day 2, stumps

Pakistan 482

Australia 30/0 (13 ov)

Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings