Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is a 2007 superhero film directed by Tim Story, serving as a sequel to the 2005 film Fantastic Four. Released on June 15, 2007, the film features returning cast members Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Jessica Alba as Susan Storm (Invisible Woman), Chris Evans as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm (The Thing), and Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom (Doctor Doom). New characters include Doug Jones as Norrin Radd (Silver Surfer), voiced by Laurence Fishburne, and Kerry Washington as Alicia Masters.
The plot follows the Fantastic Four as they prepare for Reed and Sue's wedding while facing a new threat: the Silver Surfer, a cosmic being sent by Galactus, a planet-eating entity targeting Earth. The film begins with the team enjoying their newfound powers and camaraderie after defeating Doctor Doom. However, their lives are disrupted when the Silver Surfer appears, creating mysterious craters around the globe and signaling Galactus's impending arrival. The military enlists the help of the Fantastic Four to confront this new menace, leading them to reluctantly team up with Doctor Doom, who has returned with his own agenda.
Critically, Rise of the Silver Surfer received mixed reviews, with many noting it was an improvement over its predecessor. The film holds a rating of 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally unfavorable reviews but showing some appreciation for its lighter tone and humor. It was praised for its visual effects and action sequences, particularly those featuring the Silver Surfer. However, some critics pointed out issues with character development and plot coherence.
Financially, the film grossed approximately $301 million worldwide but fell short of its predecessor's earnings of $333.5 million. Despite its box office success, 20th Century Fox was disappointed with the results, leading to the cancellation of plans for a third installment and a potential Silver Surfer spin-off.