Overview

• Speaking on the Fade to Black podcast, Columbus recounted that after suggesting Kirby/Silver Age–style concept art in a meeting, the Fox chief called to tell him he was fired for having "too much of an opinion."
• He said he worked on an early script and was producing, yet despite an executive-producer credit he "had nothing to do with" the finished 2005 film.
• Columbus has previously said he argued The Thing should be realized with CGI to capture Ben Grimm’s size, a point he recalls as a creative disagreement with the studio.
• Tim Story ultimately directed Fantastic Four, which earned about $333 million worldwide but drew negative reviews from critics.
• Columbus said the experience "probably soured" him on pursuing superhero movies, and coverage notes the 2025 Marvel reboot embraces Kirby-esque aesthetics similar to what he once pushed for.