The second character, Dr. Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), is a brilliant but down-and-out scientist desperately seeking financing for his studies of cosmic storms. He thinks cosmic storms might prolong human life and cure diseases. In the hope of securing some funding for his research, he approaches his former classmate, billionaire Dr. Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon). Von Doom is also CEO of Von Doom Industries and offers to finance the research, but wants 75% of any potential royalties.
Richards puts together a team for this mission, which includes his closest friend, astronaut Ben Grimm, portrayed by Michael Chiklis; his ex-lover and genetic researcher, Susan "Sue" Storm, played by Jessica Alba, who also happens to be Victor’s current girlfriend; and Sue's adventurous younger brother, pilot Johnny Storm, played by Chris Evans. Unbeknownst to all of them, Victor plans to join the crew on their mission.
Upon arrival at Von Doom's space station, the team is surprised by the cosmic storm, which arrives much sooner than they anticipated. With Ben outside the station running an experiment, he's left defenseless when the storm hits. As Richards, Sue, and Johnny hurry to assist him, Victor, thinking of self-preservation, quickly closes the shields, leaving the other members of the crew exposed to the full brunt of the cosmic storm's radiation. The crew is severely affected, prompting them to head back to Earth for medical attention as quickly as possible.
After the team returns to Earth, they're placed under observation and start to display bizarre mutations:
Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic gains the ability to stretch and mold his body like rubber. Sue Storm, taking on the moniker Invisible Woman, gains the ability to turn invisible and create powerful shields of energy. Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch obtains the powers to engulf his body in flames, control them and to fly. Finally, Ben Grimm, whom they call The Thing, undergoes a change into a massive creature skin that is all stone, possessing inhuman strength and the capability to take vast injuries.
Meanwhile, Victor begins to develop his unique powers. His body slowly becomes melded with biological metal and gains the ability to manipulate electricity, but he hides this transformation from others.
Feeling out his abilities, however, at Reed’s lab in the Baxter Building, the team still deals with their new powers while trying to undo what has been done. But an incident on the Brooklyn Bridge thrusts them into the spotlight. Ben, despondent about his monstrous — being a hideous character with excessive body hair — looks unintentionally causes a car crash when saving a man intent on killing himself. As her whole team springs into action to combat the damage, save people, and prevent more destruction. The press dubs them “The Fantastic Four,” hailing them as heroes. But when his fiancée, Debbie McIlvane, sees his new appearance, she leaves him, and he is devastated.
Victor, who takes matters to his advantage, leverages the squad's popularity, all in a bid to save his business. But his stockholders are beginning to pull their investments. This evolution, combined with his increasing mutation, leads to his gradual descent into evil.
Reed constructs a machine that will replicate the cosmic storm, seeking to reverse their fate. Things heat up when Johnny, who’s reveling in his new powers, refuses to join in. Frustrated by Reed’s slow-moving progress, Ben walks out of the room. “I think his insecurities come into play and he wants to usurp someone’s success by being the first test subject before Victor can even be successful,” he adds,Doctor Victor having undergone a full transformation into Docteur Doom. Ben returns to his human form, but the same causes Victor to evolve so he can unleash his full electrical power.
After freezing Ben's body with extremely cold gas, Doctor Doom immobilizes him and takes Reed as a hostage. He fires a heat-seeking missile at Johnny who barely avoids it by bending his flames around the missile. Doom of course beats Sue easily. At the last moment before Doom wins, a changed Thing returns to take on Doom.
The Fantastic Four, reassembled, battles Doom in a climactic showdown on the streets of New York. Each member aids in vanquishing their foe:
Finally, Johnny and Susan team (no pun) up to ignite a massive inferno swirling around Doom. Reed uses his malleable abilities to restrain him. Ben comically uses a fire hydrant to cool down Doom, leading to thermal shock and solidification of his metal body. Ultimately, Doom is rendered incapacitated and frozen in solidified metal. He is then shipped in a hermetically sealed container to his native soil in Latveria, which suggests some future conflict.
In the aftermath of these events, Ben comes to terms with his condition and sparks a relationship with Alicia Masters (Kerry Washington), a blind artist who looks beyond his looks. And the team have adjusted to their new superhero lives, and Reed proposes to Sue, who saysyes — and is elated about it. The movie ends with a celebratory party on a cruise ship, implying future adventures ahead.
Character Details
Dr. Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, played by Ioan Gruffudd. He is a scientist with a sharp mind, whose body has the unique ability of elasticity. He is naturally smart, does well in school and very kind but is constantly struggling with assertiveness and taking leadership roles.
Jessica Alba is Susan Storm, aka the Invisible Woman. A talented genetic researcher and a former lover of Reed’s, she possesses the ability to become invisible and create powerful force fields. Being a strong and independent person, she is the one to support the emotions of her team.
Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, a.k.a. the Human Torch. He’s the self-assured, younger sister of Sue with a unique ability to create and control fire, and even fly. While he starts off an inveterate fame-hound, he ultimately becomes a true champion.
Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm — a.k.a. The Thing, to viewers. He plays Reed’s loyal best friend and a former astronaut. When a ritual involving his crazed uncle turns him into a super-strong rock-covered terror, he struggles to readjust to this new image of himself, but ultimately embraces it.
Julian McMahon plays Dr. Victor Von Doom, or Doctor Doom, a successful businessman-turned-villain whose body transforms into living metal and is capable of controlling electricity. However, it is his pride and envy that leads to his demise.
Kerry Washington plays Alicia Masters, a blind artist who sees past Ben’s rough exterior and falls for him.
Laurie Holden plays Ben’s girlfriend, Debbie McIlvane, who finds his transformation unacceptable and leaves him.
Hamish Linklater plays Leonard, Victor’s hardworking aide, who helps keep Von Doom Industries running.
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