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Fantastic Man is a television serialization of the box office movie with the same title. The series originally starred by Vic Sotto stars Mark Herras as Fantastic Man with [[Jackie Rice] and Ryza Cenon. The series refurbishes and reintroduces Fantastic Man as a crime-busting superhero.

Character History

Fantastic Man is a fictional superhero character popularized by Vic Sotto. The character debuted on the 2003 movie with the same title produced by OctoArts Films and M-Zet Productions. It was actually part of the Metro Manila Film Festival - and was that year's topgrosser.

The concept of Fantastic Man came about when the movie producers failed to bought the rights of Lastikman from the Ravelos. Lastikman was actually their entry to the 2002 Metro Manila Film Festival and was that years' topgrosser, thus they were forced to do a sequel due to its success. The reason why they failed to buy the rights is because the heirs of Lastikman creator Mars Ravelo demanded 1.8 million pesos (around US$32,727 that time) for the sequel. In the Lastikman (2003 movie) which realunched and brought the character back to limelight, the heirs only demanded 130,000 pesos (US$2,363), they even gave 500,000 pesos (US$9,090). The rights for the movie went to Viva Films. Meanwhile, Michael V. and Chito Francisco came up with a new superhero story bringing birth to Fantastic Man.

The costume of Fantastic Man in the movie was designed and made by the special effects team of T.A.P.E. Productions boss Tony Tuviera. While the costume of Diabolica (the main villain in the movie -- Ara Mina's character who was named after her role/name in the movie Super Ranger Kids in 1997) was the idea of actor Michael V.

Fantastic Man costume's color was Purple/Violet and Gold/Yellow, which represents Holiday season for the Philippines. Violet for puto-bumbong (Filipino native food) and in Christmas wreath violet/purple candle means loyalty to God. While yellow for bibingka or rice cake (Filipino Christmas food). Another interpretation was the color Purple represents justice while Gold/Yellow stands for power according to 1872 Mardi Gras by the King of Carnival, Rex.

Powers

The powers of Fantastic Man was more defined in the TV series than in the original movie version. As Fantastic Man, he can transform into an oversized drill, hammer, saw, scissors, spoon and fork and even his feet can be some sort of a spring.

Weakness

If Captain Barbell weakens Askobar, Fantastic Man on the same way weakens when in a very low temperature of when exposed in a cold/low temperature object such as ice, etc. This was incorporated in the TV series.

Plot

Directed by Zoren Legazpi
As a young boy, Fredo lived happily in the province with his parents Danny and Linda, together with his Lola Cedes, until his simple life was shattered when a group of armed bandits abducted his father and killed his mother. Fredo was raised alone by his Lola Cedes, who eventually turned senile and got lost when they moved to the city.

In search of his Lola Cedes in the cruel city, Fredo meets new friends but also has a close brush with death in the hands of a ruthless syndicate. Left almost lifeless from a deadly beating, Fredo is rescued by Prof. Manalo, a scientist who invented the healing machine called the Regenerator. Fredo becomes the first "guinea pig" of the breakthrough healing machine and surprisingly acquires super-human powers. This fateful experience transforms the once helpless Fredo into an invincible crime-buster with extraordinary abilities and power.

Cast

• Mark Herras as Fredo/Fantastic Man
  
• Jackie Rice as Helen
  
• Ryza Cenon as Wena
  
• Ariel Rivera as Danny/Tadtad
  
• Beth Tamayo as Linda
  
• Gloria Sevilla as Lola Cedes
  
• Joey Marquez as Professor Manalo
  
• Paolo Contis as Madam Tisay
  
• Benjie Paras as Gobo
  
• Rez Cortez as Boss Elvis
  
• Pen Medina as Singkit
  
• Keempe de Leon as Budol
  
• Nicole Anderson as Ms. K
  
• Ana Lea Javier as Faith
  
• Miguel Tanfelix as Tikboy
  
• Kirby de Jesus
  
• Chuck Allie
  
• Alvin Aragon

Villains

• Boss Elvis (played by) - a trigger-happy syndicate leader
  
• Singkit (played by Pen Medina) an entrepreneur whose Chinese restaurant is a front for his illegal business. He is involved in smuggling and drug trafficking. 
• Budol (played by Kempee de Leon) - a con artist and an illegal dealer of pirated goods who uses hypnosis on his victims

Allies

• Super Twins