News started circulating yesterday that an $87 million sequel to the 1996, Billy Zane starring comic book adaptation of The Phantom was in the works (what a mouthful). However, as regular Screen Rant readers will know – we don’t like to jump on every story, especially if it doesn’t sound quite right. I mean – who would ever make an $87 million sequel to a Billy Zane movie (not counting Titanic)?
Well, it turns out that we were right to wait again! The Phantom Legacy will not be a sequel, but one of the never-ending “reboots” that Hollywood is so found of these days.
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The Phantom was a comic strip created by Lee Falk in 1936, and it follows the adventures of …er… The Phantom, who is also known as The Ghost Who Walks, a jungle dwelling hero who inherited the legendary name from his father.
The 1996 film was directed by Simon Wincer and the cast was filled out Treat Williams, Kristy Swanson and a pre-Michael Douglas/Oscar-winning Catherine Zeta Jones. The period set adventure was a box office bomb when it was released, grossing a measly $17 million. This new adventure produced by Sherlock Symington Productions will be set in present day and will probably be shot entirely in Australia.
Writer Tim Boyle had this to say about the film on his blog:
“First of all, I’ve got to say – this is a very exciting time. Being able to bring the first masked comic superhero back to the big screen is an absolute honor. I’ve been researching The Phantom intensely for the last year or so and I’ve been working with the support of King Features Syndicate to try and bring you the tightest possible film. Yes, this is a new look at the comic book hero, but rest assured – He wont be ‘heavily gadget man’ (as that is another comic book hero named Batman) and he wont be an ‘angry mob killer’ (as The Punisher -Frank Castle has been made into a film 3 times – remember the Dolph Lundgren film – that too was shot in Australia… old skool). He will be, without doubt The Phantom. A man who has sworn an oath to protect – but at what cost?”
It really appears like everyone wants to get a superhero movie out on the big screen these days and I hope that quality is not suffering over quantity. 2008 has been a year of highs and lows for comic book heroes (highs: The Dark Knight and Iron Man lows: The Punisher War Zone) so will we be sick of seeing spandex sporting characters in 18 months?
Hard to say. We’ve got Wolverine, The Spirit; Watchmen; more men of Bat and Iron as well as Captain America and a whole lot more. It’s inevitable that some of these will crash and burn at the cash registers – so what is to stop The Phantom Legacy from suffering the same fate as the previous film 12 years ago? I can only imagine some A-list talent; I mean every A-lister needs a franchise to fall back on. Could this be Tom Cruise’s chance of career rebirth by making “one for the kids?”
Time will tell. However, at the moment no director or cast is attached to the film.
More when we get it.
Source: Tim Boyle
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16 Comments
I think its a great Idea .
I am a big Phantom fan .
I wish the filmmakers luck on this one.
Please do not let Tom Cruise be the Phantom. I enjoyed the 1996 movie and the comics. I boycott all Tom Cruise movies since his melt down. Tom Cruise should never be allowed to be a super hero, the best he could ever be is a villan. Pierce Brosan would make a much better Phantom.
I have the Billy Zane Phantom on DVD ..I like watching it I think it’s a pretty good movie that is a guilty pleasure for me…No Tom Cruise!! I would not see it for that reason.. He’s a hack with that big phony Dr. Teeth smile..See now I’ve gone and compared Cruise to something I like..Dr Teeth of the Muppets…Those seasons sets will be harder to watch now
personally, I think Tom Cruise in a purple costume would be HILARIOUS!
I loved the Zane as Phantom. I don’t know why people bash movies just because they don’t do so well at the box office. It was still a good film. This movie, the Rocketeer, and Daredevil were some of my favorite comic book “flops”. And they were good movies, but just didn’t receive enough attention. Wish they could bring Zane back-he’s a real cool guy and I wanna see his career be more than B-movies.
The first Phantom movie sucked immensely.
I’ve always thought The Phantom , as a comic character , was as dull as watching paint dry.
However if a hero as boring as the Spirit can get his own flick , you might as well give the Phantom another shot too.
Ok , one last thing.
The Phantom’s costume may have been cool for about 12 minutes back in 1936 but I just can’t see how you can sell that get-up to a modern audience.Alright , I am now done smacking around The Phantom ( at least until after the movie comes out ).
@ RastaZen
No offense, but, where have you been?
You said, “The Phantom’s costume may have been cool for about 12 minutes back in 1936 but I just can’t see how you can sell that get-up to a modern audience.”
Really? I mean really? Let me give you a few examples.
Ahem…
Spiderman 1, 2, & 3
All of the Batman films
Daredevil
The Fantastic Four 1 & 2
All the Superman films
X-Men 1, 2, & 3
So what? You don’t think the Phantom costume will fly with today’s audiences?
And what about the upcoming Captain America movie?!
I’ll say this, I think audiences worldwide are WAY past ridiculous looking costumes.
And I’m sorry if I came across as brash. But I just had to say what I said.
Oh Lord ,,,
Spare us this piece of crap remake,,,
@ Ash Ali
I think that all the heroes you listed all have great costumes. They all have incredible abilities and/or fantastic tech to go along with their over-the-top-powers. Modern films have been evolving these costumes into functioning suits of body armor( so to speak ). Spider Man and Superman being the obvious exceptions to that trend ; also Spiderman’s costume is , I think , a very specific reference to his particular type of power.
Now with Captain America , his suit IS body armor-a type of chain mail to be specific. The design of his costume is symbolic of his role as a protector of his country
(red/white/blue and a star thrown in as well ) ; the costumes’ similarities to the American flag guarantee that you can sell that get up to modern audiences , as most of the world is well aware of American patriotism.
The Phantom , on the other hand, is just some purple suited guy in the jungle carrying on an old family tradition. He runs , he jumps , swings on ropes/vines , rides horses and punches smugglers.
No gazillionaire trust fund to finance a warehouse of cool and usefull crimefighting tech.
No cosmic or mystical abilities ( none that I recall , at least).
Also, I do believe that most jungles are predominantly green places and The Phantom in that costume would stick out like a purple thumb.
@ RastaZen
What you said is true, but he is wealthy. Not Bruce Wayne wealthy (it’s never been established how much money he has). But the character seems to be a blend of Zorro and Indiana Jones. If they can tap into those themes well, they should do fine.
With the suit, I’m sure someone can do an update or change the costume to point where it’s not too different. My example would be the Daredevil costume. They went from cloth to leather. And it looked pretty damn nice. Albeit it was red, not purple. I’m sure whomever is doing the film will find someway to make it look good.
Aside from all that, like you said, it’s a man who lives and runs around in the jungle. Adventure type films like Indian Jones tend to do well. And like the orgininal 96 film, he leaves the jungle. So the film doesnt have to predominately have to take place there. And the fact that the film will be made almost entirely in Australia gives that way. So we’re probably going to see a more urban Phantom.
But you gotta give props to The Phantom, one of the earliest superheroes. This guy came before Superman ever graced the side of a comic book.
@ Ash Ali
re: The Phantom as a trail-blazer ?
I can’t argue with that
Looking at the Phantom as an ‘Indiana Jones’ style over-the-top action adventure?
That’s cool.
I was about to pour bile and venom all over the idea of another Phantom movie…but now..this could actually work. I like the Indiana-Action style a lot.
Hmmm…
By the way, the ‘Ash Ali vs RastaZen’ discussion was a good read. :
I think Hugh Jackman would be perfect for the Phantom.
Cairns and surrounding areas would be good location
Far North QLD Australia
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