FF a "funny family" film?

Despite a few denials to the contrary, it certainly seems like Fox's THE FANTASTIC FOUR is shaping up to be the comedy we all feared. Marvel Studios exec Avi Arad spoke in his conference call to Marvel stakeholders yesterday and described the upcoming movie as a PG-13 rated "funny family action film." Rumors of the film being less than serious has troubled fans of the comic book and the hiring of director Tim Story (BARBERSHOP) only seemed to highlight those concerns. Previous drafts of the screenplay - from back when Peyton Reed (DOWN WITH LOVE) was attached to direct - had the FANTASTIC FOUR in situations that resembled the Beatles' A HARD DAYS NIGHT. While that draft, by writer Doug Petrie, has been tossed, Story's version of the film still seems to be favoring more comedic elements than you'd traditionally see in a superhero adaptation (especially when on member of the team is tragically turned into a man made of rock). Filming on THE FANTASTIC FOUR is expected to begin this August in Vancouver. Despite casting rumors suggesting Michael Chiklis and Tim Robbins are in line for parts, no one has been cast yet.

Source: Superhero Hype