The actor who played Victor Von Doom in Roger Cormanthe 1994 low budget film Fantastic Four movie, Joseph Culpis still campaigning for fans to get the film’s official release.
The $1 million production was never officially released, but if you’re curious you can watch a VHS-quality version on YouTube. No one was ever supposed to see this movie, but it leaked anyway, and it’s gloriously bad.
The film was produced by the German director Dr. Bernd Eichingerwho was about to lose the film rights to the property. So, to keep those rights, he rushed to make this film production with Corman.
Culp had already called for the film’s release a few months ago and has now shared a link to a petition with thousands of signatures urging Marvel/Disney to officially release the film while they are in production on the new Fantastic Four movie.
The petition reads: “Devoted fans of Marvel’s Fantastic Four have long been aware of a missing piece in our beloved F4 story: the unreleased 1994 film originally produced by Roger Corman and directed by Oley Sassone.
“This film, although produced on a shoestring budget, was actually based on a treatment written by Stan Lee. It was famously held back from release due to backroom deals and has only become available through underground bootlegs for the past thirty years.
“The film remains an important part of the legacy of the F4 franchise and deserves a pristine release for fans old and new to see, fans who believe this first film also captures the true spirit of the original comic, with humor, drama, and heartfelt, vivid characterizations, becoming an undeniable fan favorite to this day despite three other big-budget versions. An ironic underdog, F4 ’94 has become an enduring cult classic.
“We are calling on Marvel Studios to remaster and distribute this hidden gem through streaming platforms, Blu-ray, and live screenings.
“UPDATES – Remastering this faithful film adaptation with cutting-edge updates will not only enhance the viewing experience for fans, but also pay homage to its creators, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, while cementing its place in cinematic history.
“Enhanced special visual effects, a new audio mix and the use of the latest CGI technology can bring this classic story into the modern era without losing its original charm.
“FANS WANT HISTORY – Additionally, the inclusion of supplemental material such as interviews, commentary, and historical context from the original cast and crew will provide valuable insight into how this unique piece was created.
“It is estimated that there are over 20 million Fantastic Four fans worldwide who would appreciate this insight (source: Statista). It is a testament to the film’s legions of fans that The Fantastic Four 1994, while never officially released, has been the subject of numerous articles, podcasts, books, and some excellent documentaries.
“It’s time for Marvel to join with their fans in celebrating this now historic film and giving it a place in the canon and the MCU ‘multiverse.’
“LET’S TURN OFF THE ‘CURSE’ – The release of this film isn’t just about adding another title to the Marvel catalog; it’s about filling a gap in our understanding of how one of cinema’s most enduring franchises has evolved over time.
“By re-releasing and remastering the 1994 film Fantastic Four, we can shine a light on an overlooked chapter in superhero movie history. The fanbase will feel empowered, the mystery lifted, and ready to welcome the next iteration of The Fantastic Four into the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Join us in calling on Marvel Studios to release this important piece of cinematic history for all fans to enjoy. SIGN OUR PETITION TODAY!”
As of this writing, the petition has over 4,000 signatures. But, let’s face it, Marvel and Disney will never release this movie.
According to Corman, the film was never released because Eichinger made a deal with Fox. They would make a big-budget version of the film, and as part of the deal, Eichinger agreed to never release the $1 million version.
Corman said years ago, “It can’t have an official release. It actually started with Bernd Eichinger, a German producer who had the rights to the Fantastic Four. He came to me, I think, in October of one year and said that his option on the rights would expire if he didn’t start shooting by the end of the year, and he had a budget of $30 million and he didn’t have the $30 million.
“Could I do it for less? I said, ‘How much do you have?’ He said, ‘I have a million dollars.’… Cutting $29 million from a $30 million budget is a long process, but we finally made the movie.
“Part of the deal was that he would have a certain amount of time to see if he could make a deal with a major studio. If he didn’t, I would distribute it, but if he did, he would pay me extra money.
“He got to the point where I was supposed to distribute it, and he made a deal with Fox, and part of the deal was that he wouldn’t distribute the million-dollar movie because it would interfere with what would eventually become a $60 million movie.
“So, simply by contract, that photo cannot be officially published, but there are pirated copies out there.”
See this post on InstagramA post shared by Joseph Culp (@josephculpactor)
by Joey Fear
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
