Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (partially found Doug Jones voice performance; 2007)

Rise of the Silver Surfer poster.

Status: Partially Lost

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is a 2007 superhero film and a sequel to the 2005 adaptation based on characters from Marvel Comics. Distributed by 20th Century Fox and produced by Marvel Entertainment, the story focuses on the Fantastic Four as they face off against two new threats, the Silver Surfer and Galactus.

While critical reception was mixed with mostly positive reviews, stating its slight improvement over the original, the film was a box office failure with a gross of only $301,000,000 worldwide as opposed to the prior film’s estimate of $333,500,000.

Production

In the early stages of production, Doug Jones was cast as the Silver Surfer as the filmmakers thought he had the right physique for the role after seeing him in films such as Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth, both in which he played inhuman characters. The actor was present on set, being entirely covered in a silver bodysuit, all while acting alongside with his co-stars. His vocal performance was even recorded during filming. However, for unknown reasons, Jones’ voice was not used in the final cut. Instead, the dialogue was re-recorded with Laurence Fishburne taking over.

Content

In regards to the feedback of his performance, Doug Jones stated:

“... A lot of people involved with the film told me that they got goosebumps and chills when I would talk as the Silver Surfer, so I am sorry to see that go."

Availability

Jones’ voice can be heard briefly in the first trailer as he utters the line, “All that you know is at an end.” Aside from that, neither the complete audio nor any other samples have been uncovered. Though it is plausible that the original recording may currently be in the possession of the Walt Disney Company, the likelihood of them releasing it to the public is slim.

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