Need further proof that Rupert Murdoch is a lightning bolt-wielding quasi-deity who probably already owns either the company you work for or you outright? You mean other than the fact that he has someone on staff at $195,000 a year whose sole job it is to follow him around and make his movie studio’s little trumpeting theme song, and do the Bartman at any time he chooses? Dude just bought the American quarter.

Well, sort of. As part of its promotional campaign for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, 20th Century Fox has apparently teamed with (read: punched in the face, and taken the keys to their press) the Franklin Mint to create a limited edition run of 40,000 quarters which feature the titular baddie (and the film’s URL address, of course) emblazoned on the coin’s back, plastered over that pesky bald eagle. What the Christ is next… Die Hard dollars, with Bruce Willis’ smirking visage and, “In ‘yippee ki-yay’ we trust” stamped on the reverse? Umm… hey, Rupert — if you use that idea, actually, could you just cut me a small, tiny creative license fee? Yes, you can pay me in quarters.

Also, for what it’s worth, this whole episode reminded me of this brief interview from last year with Fantastic Four 2 screenwriter Don Payne about My Super Ex-Girlfriend, in which he attempts not to incur the full, litigious wrath of 20th Century Fox.