Articles: Q&A: Jim Lee (5/8/97)

SKleefeld: I have heard that producer/director Chris Columbus has consulted you about his big budget FF movie. I was curious about the nature of your discussions. Was he more interested in things like costume designs or story ideas? I've noticed that your layouts (especially in issue #1) have a cinematic feel; was he simply asking about how you approached the book in general?

Jim Lee: We talked about my take on the characters, the look and feel the FF would have on the big screen, and how I could contribute to the artistic design of the project. They gave me a copy of the screenplay so that I could start thinking about designing some of the ships, costumes, etc. Unfortunately, they needed me on a full-time basis right away and I was knee-deep in my 6 issue (really 7 if you count the first as two issues) run and didn't have the time. Last I heard, Chris isn't going to direct it after all - only produce it.

SK: I've also heard that you are in discussion with Marvel about extending the Heroes Reborn series for an extra issue to allow both you and Peter David to have more time to work on your respective stories. I was under the understanding that you have had your stories pretty well worked out for some time. Has having to oversee Captain America and the Avengers severely limited your time and/or involvement with the Fantastic Four so much that you would feel more comfortable with an extra issue or have you just been enjoying the series and wanted to continue working on it?

JL: The story I had worked out is going to end with issue 12's of the HR titles. Marvel asked me to do issue thirteens to keep the books out there while they try to line up talent on the returning titles. Actually, they have creative teams lined up; it's just that they couldn't commit to starting right away in September. We are still discussing the possibility but it's definitely not a certainty.

(Author's Note: Since this conversation took place, Marvel has announced the HR titles will continue to thirteenth issues; however, James Robinson will be doing the writing.)

SK: I'm also curious on how much discussion you have had with Peter David concerning the Heroes Return.

JL: Absolutely none. Marvel just faxed me a copy of Heroes Return but I haven't read it yet.

SK: Has he been working his ideas directly based on yours or are you working to accomodate him?

JL: We are working independently of one another--that may change after I read his script but for the most part--I know how Heroes Reborn ends.

SK: Did you and Rob Liefeld already have a general outline for the return worked up before Peter David was even asked to write the Heroes Return?

JL: We had discussed it but nothing was committed to paper at any point.