Roger Corman, Creator of the Unreleased 1994 ‘Fantastic Four’ Film, Dies at 98

Roger Corman, the iconic B-movie filmmaker, known for directing and producing numerous low-budget films and launching the careers of stars like Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro, passed away at 98. He died on May 9 at his home in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by family.

Roger Corman was a prolific American filmmaker known for his work in the independent film industry. He gained recognition for producing and directing numerous low-budget films across various genres, including horror, science fiction, and exploitation.

Corman was particularly influential in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his ability to create entertaining films on tight budgets and tight schedules. He also helped launch the careers of many Hollywood talents, including director Francis Ford Coppola.

Roger Corman is notable in the comic-book community for executively producing the unreleased ‘The Fantastic Four’ film, one of the most scandalous canceled releases.

In 1993, a magazine article tentatively set a release date for Labor Day weekend of the same year for a film. Trailers were shown in theaters and on video releases. The cast hired a publicist to promote the film at various events. The world premiere was announced to take place in January 1994, but suddenly, the premiere was halted, and the actors received a cease and desist order. Speculation arose about the film’s true purpose, with some suggesting it was never intended for release but rather to retain rights to the characters. Contrary claims were made by individuals involved in the production.

Despite the movie never being released, it was highly bootlegged and is currently available on YouTube and Dailymotion.

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