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20th Century Fox Releases Trailer for 'Fantastic Four' and Fans Question Why Johnny Storm, 'The Human Torch', Is Black

Actor Michael B. Jordan (l) as Johnny Storm aka 'The Human Torch' in the upcoming 'Fantastic Four' film set for release August 7, 2015.
Actor Michael B. Jordan (l) as Johnny Storm aka 'The Human Torch' in the upcoming 'Fantastic Four' film set for release August 7, 2015. | (Photo: Screen Grab via YouTube; Facebook)

The first official trailer for 20th Century Fox's rendition of the 50-plus-year-old "Fantastic Four" franchise was released Tuesday and one of the first things fans noticed was that black actor Michael B. Jordan is playing the role of Johnny Storm, also known as the "Human Torch", and some fans aren't happy with it.

The studio describes the new rendition of the classic superhero hit on its website as a "contemporary re-imagining."

"FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel's original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy," explained 20th Century Fox.

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In a post on his Facebook page with a link to the trailer Tuesday to his nearly 300,000 fans, an excited Jordan noted: "FINALLY IT'S HERE!!!! EVERYONE GO CHECK OUT THE TRAILER INTRODUCING MARVELS FIRST FAMILY...THE FANTASTIC 4!!! CHECK IT OUT."

As of Wednesday evening the trailer posted on YouTube had been viewed nearly 8 million times. One of the biggest conversations about the film, however, has focused on Johnny Storm's race.

"Not watching a movie where they completely destroy the characters just to be politically correct," replied Scott DeLacy to Jordan's announcement which then triggered a long discussion about the value of casting a black actor in a role that is usually filled by a white actor.

"I am confused... Is the Human Torch black? If so, why? Isn't he supposed to be Invisible Woman's brother? Then why isn't she black too? And please refrain from calling others racist just for this complaint. It's not about race, it's about source material alterations, made just to be politically correct with today's trends. There was no need to change white superheroes to black, when you already have actual black superheroes in the same universe, like Black Panther," noted Alexandru Cîrstoiu reacting to the trailer on YouTube Wednesday. His comment was like almost 200 times and elicited more than 150 replies.

One plausible reaction to Cirstoiu's question came from a commenter listed as Deadpool Wade Wilson.
"Franklin Storm is black you can hear him narrating the trailer you can see him at 0:58 his real son is Johnny, but with Franklin being a science genius and Johnny not, he adopted Sue so hopefully she could take his place," he noted.

The movie is set to be released on Aug. 7, 2015.

Watch the trailer below:

Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com Follow Leonardo Blair on Twitter: @leoblair Follow Leonardo Blair on Facebook: LeoBlairChristianPost

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