'Fantastic Four 2' Release Date: Sequel Canceled? Actor Says, 'I think It's Off The Schedule'

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Even with the combined superpowers of the "Fantastic Four" members, it was just not enough to turn things around for the struggling franchise.

The reception for the 2015 installment was a far cry from what the film's producers had hoped for. Josh Tranks' "Fantastic Four" grossed just short of $170 million and, while that was a lot of money, the film was a huge flop considering the $120 million budget for its production, according to Cinema Blend. The result was not far from the performance in the box office of the two previous films from the franchise, the "Fantastic Four" in 2005 and the "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" in 2007.

It was, definitely, not what Twentieth Century Fox had envisioned for. In fact, its execs even had some discussions with the producer of Fox's Marvel properties on the possibility of a crossover into the X-Men films for the realization of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The sequel was also given a release date for Summer 2017 even before the 2015 film debuted. And, then, it all happened.

"Behind-the-scenes production troubles, fighting amongst director Josh Trank and cast, problematic reshoots and even the director lambasting the project before it opened were all widely publicized and well-documented events, that combined with mediocre marketing killed the Fantastic Four's revival," reports Screen Rant.

Tim Blake Nelson who played the role of Dr. Harvey Allen in the 2015 film has expressed his doubts on whether the sequel for the latest "Fantastic Four" film will ever happen in an interview with Cinema Blend about his latest film entitled "Anesthesia," which he also directed and wrote.

"I think it's off the schedule now. I don't think they're making one, but I'm not sure," the 51-year-old American actor said.

Although, fans can surely hope for the sequel to still happen. For one, Nelson himself admitted that he is not quite sure on the future of the film and he does not have the official word for it. And, considering the fate of his character in the latest "Fantastic Four" installment (not to spoil anything away), there is also a good chance that he may not have been privy to the details. So, for the meantime, nothing is cast in stone.

Meanwhile, Nelson's upcoming film "Anesthesia" is a drama thriller due to hit the theaters this Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Apart from Tim Blake Nelson, other cast members include Kristen Stewart, Sam Waterston, Corey Stoll, Gretchen Mol and Glenn Close.