Mark Gordon To Produce 'The Phantom'

[rogue trooper]

That 70s Spaghetti take on Zorro was a bit to over the top, although a fun take on the character. LOL @ Oliver Onions song, so bad it was catchy.
Leone's Phantom may have had some similar elements though, but I agree he probably would have gone a bit more serious with it.
From what I understand it would have been closer to the time he did Once Upon in America.

Well, supposedly, Leone abandoned The Phantom project once Once Upon A Time In America was finally able to be made because in the late 70's he was able to finally secure the rights to the book "The Hoods", which Once Upon A Time In America is based on. Production on Once Upon A Time In America began in 1981.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

Okay... So, would you prefer the Phantom to be the 21st, who is the most famous and the classic Phantom, so to say, or would you have, say, a 22nd Phantom who would be more time accurate?

According to the little research I did, the 21st Phantom is 18 in 1957 so he is quite possibly very old to continue in the 2000s.

 

[Breogan]

I'd prefer a pulp style Phantom movie set around the time of its debut, late 30s - early 40s
.
I'd be fine however with a contemporary to more modern/future Phantom too, I think that would be great as the concept allows for it, so long as in story they bridged the gap acknowledging the Legacy aspect, and keep any updated costume somewhat recognizable.

 

[bluerayer]

Personally, I prefer the Scandinavian comics from 1970-1990, but I guess it's almost impossible to get your hands of those stories if you live outside of Sweden or Norway? Someone should reprint the stories by Lee Falk and Sy Barry too. Good stuff!

Goshdarn, If im not entirely mistaken, werent the Scandinavian 70s Phantom comics exported to Australia and/or England? I remember reading back in the 80s (in a Swedish Phantom comic) that Paul Hogan was a fan of the character and wanted to play him in a movie.

I found this skit on Yotube that Hogan did for his Australian comedy show, where he played The Phantom:

[YT]K8zu1_EoBxQ[/YT]

If they were exported, then they would be available in english at least, for you Americans, you just have to find a place online that sells old comics from Australia or the UK.

Or did Australia only get the 30s version of the character?

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Goshdarn, If im not entirely mistaken, werent the Scandinavian 70s Phantom comics exported to Australia and/or England? I remember reading back in the 80s (in a Swedish Phantom comic) that Paul Hogan was a fan of the character and wanted to play him in a movie.

I found this skit on Yotube that Hogan did for his Australian comedy show, where he played The Phantom:

[YT]K8zu1_EoBxQ[/YT]

If they were exported, then they would be available in english at least, for you Americans, you just have to find a place online that sells old comics from Australia or the UK.

Or did Australia only get the 30s version of the character?

You're right, and I think they're still published in Australia? They tried to sell the magazine in England during the early nineties, but it failed. Only 9 issues were published.

 

[bluerayer]

You're right, and I think they're still published in Australia? They tried to sell the magazine in England during the early nineties, but it failed. Only 9 issues were published.

Here is some pretty detailed info on where its published:

http://thephantom.wikia.com/wiki/The_Phantom

 

[Airwings]

I would prefer Kit Walker to be the main character. But they should use the legacy plot and have the father alive the first half of the film.
I wouldn't mind a flashback/opening sequence with the first Phantom, and Billy Zane in THAT role.

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Yes, Billy Zane must have a role in it.

 

[bluerayer]

Yes to a Billy Zane appearance!

 

[Airwings]

Ofc, but what about Kit? Should Sam Worthington play him?
Or do you want someone younger, in the early 20s?

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Ofc, but what about Kit? Should Sam Worthington play him?
Or do you want someone younger, in the early 20s?

I wouldn't mind a Phantom in his 30s or 40s, but it depends on the movie. If it's one of those origin movies, he should be a bit younger.

 

[Airwings]

I wouldn't mind a Phantom in his 30s or 40s, but it depends on the movie. If it's one of those origin movies, he should be a bit younger.

If it's the legacy plot, he will be younger. Can't imagine the father to be a guy in his 60s before passing the mantle.


It could only work if it was Mel Gibson.
But no way he would accept a role in this.


Well.... actually, we'll never know. After all, he agreed to do both Machete Kills and Expendables 3.

Gibson as the father then!
Or Billy Zane?

 

[bluerayer]

Hmm, but will The Phantom remove his mask and show his full face? I already felt cursed to 'die a horrible death' after watching Billy Zanes Phantom unmasked...

Or was this jungle saying a later invention by the Scandinavian Phantom writers?

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Gibson as the father then!
Or Billy Zane?

Gibson as the 20th Phantom...and Billy Zane as the 1st Phantom in flashback scenes?t:

I would love to see a Phantom movie with two stories in one. A parallel story that shows The 1st Phantom's origin, as well as the 21st. The 1st Phantom fights pirates, while the 21st fights the Russian mob/poachers/dictators or something like that.

Hmm, but will The Phantom remove his mask and show his full face? I already felt cursed to 'die a horrible death' after watching Billy Zanes Phantom unmasked...

Or was this jungle saying a later invention by the Scandinavian Phantom writers?

No, I don't think they should show his face after he's donned the mask I felt the same way as you, especially after I saw Sy Barry's drawing of The Phantom without the mask... now I know why I almost choked on a piece of bread last week.

(I don't think it was invented by the writers for the Scandinavian stories.)

 

[Airwings]

Gibson as the 20th Phantom...and Billy Zane as the 1st Phantom in flashback scenes?t:

I would love to see a Phantom movie with two stories in one. A parallel story that shows The 1st Phantom's origin, as well as the 21st. The 1st Phantom fights pirates, while the 21st fights the Russian mob/poachers/dictators or something like that.

This is turning out great. We are coming up with awesome suggestions all the time. t:
A parallel story would be good. Then the writers can explore the philosophy that "everything is connected", an example would be that similar stuff happens to everybody who wears the suit, and that a couple of things that Kit must go through also happened to the first Phantom (and some of the others). You can call it karma, repeats, a mirror, a cycle or whatever.

I will present another new idea here as well. What if the film shows us all the Phantoms in a "fast forward play" and we see diferents eras in history? The first solo Wolverine did something similar, showing how many wars he participated in.
Then it would be a fun thing if they've got known actors for those quick glimpses, Sam Worthington, Gerard Butler, Matt Damon... just to name a few.
For Kit Walker, I think Logan Lerman or someone with a similar look should be cast. Maybe Liam Aiken? As long as it's not Shia "Leboink", I guess I will be happy t:

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

I will present another new idea here as well. What if the film shows us all the Phantoms in a "fast forward play" and we see diferents eras in history? The first solo Wolverine did something similar, showing how many wars he participated in.

I like itt: I imagine something like this:

The first ten minutes shows the 1st Phantom's origin, at the end, he holds up the skull, swears the oath, and then we get the opening credits over a montage with short clips of all the Phantoms doing "Phantomy" stuff, like freeing slaves, fighting a tiger, stopping bank robbers during the old West, punching out Al Capone etc. It's like someone's turning pages in a book.

(I also want movies where The Phantom travels back in time and becomes a knight of the round table, fights a scary old werewolf grandma and so on but that won't happen)

 

[Airwings]

Time to wake up this thread again.

It will be interesting when Fury opens. Then we'll see if Logan Lerman has the acting chops to pull off Kit Walker. Maybe even Brad Pitt can play the father
If not Lerman, I can imagine the talented Freddie Highmore. He's of the same age, and the fact that he's taller than Logan may help him get the role. But then he must hit the gym to build some muscles. He's way too slim.
Other suggestions for the lead are Rollo Weeks and Michael Angarano. These two are a little older and more mature in their looks.

I have to ask you how much homage to Leone should the film go for? It seems that his version was supposed to be a late 70s/early 80s flic. Unless it's updated a lot, it won't work. The action genre is in constantly change.
Should they ask Morricone to compose the music?

Maybe you want Oliver Onions to add a song to the film, lol.

I like itt: I imagine something like this:

The first ten minutes shows the 1st Phantom's origin, at the end, he holds up the skull, swears the oath, and then we get the opening credits over a montage with short clips of all the Phantoms doing "Phantomy" stuff, like freeing slaves, fighting a tiger, stopping bank robbers during the old West, punching out Al Capone etc. It's like someone's turning pages in a book.

Good idea. I can see this actually happen. Fast forward during credits is the best way to go.

I also want movies where The Phantom travels back in time and becomes a knight of the round table, fights a scary old werewolf grandma and so on but that won't happen

Too wild imagination here, LOL

 

[niteowl3]

Ok, the if the President of the Producers Guild is backing this, I am confident thisll get made which is awesome news. Phantom has always been one of my favorite heroes. I mean he was one of, if not the first to rock the black mask with white eyes.

Really curious as to what people think the tone of the movie will be? I mean it is one of the campier comic books stories I have read, especially the glorious billy zane movie with lazer skulls. Haha. How should they represent the Ghost Who Walks to modern audiences?

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Really curious as to what people think the tone of the movie will be? I mean it is one of the campier comic books stories I have read, especially the glorious billy zane movie with lazer skulls. Haha. How should they represent the Ghost Who Walks to modern audiences?

Welcome to the Hype!t:

I don't think the Phantom is "campy", especially not the older newspaper strips, DC's version or the Scandinavian comic books. The stuff by Lee Falk and Sy Barry could be a bit over the top, though, with aliens, tiny people, dinosaurs, giant animals etc.

In my opinion the movie is a mix between all of them (but mostly based on the 30s comic strip). I think it's one of the best comic book movies out there, and one of my favorite movies of all time!

As for the tone of the new movie...I don't think it should be too dark, like Nolan's TDK trilogy. I would like to see something like Mask of Zorro. Fun and entertaining, but serious when it needs to be. The Phantom isn't a very dark character like the modern Batman. He can beat the crap out of pirates, but still smile and crack a joke once in a while. I love this quote from the 1996 movie:

Drax: All right, what's your name? Why do you want that skull so badly?
The Phantom: Kit Walker.
Drax: Huh, and who is Kit Walker?
The Phantom: I am.
Drax: And what about the skull?
The Phantom: It'd go well with my drapes.

Reminds me of some of his lines from the classic newspaper strip...

 

[KenK]

I've always loved the 1996 Phantom movie. I always thought the tone of it was perfect, and Billy Zane was great in the role.

I wouldn't mind a present day Phantom movie, though.

 

[Galactus123]

But I also like dark blue (The Phantom is blue in my country)!t:

He is blue in here Finland too and I think it would be the right choice. It would look better in live-action.

Of course they could change the color in post-production for every part of the world.

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Of course they could change the color in post-production for every part of the world.

Good idea!

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

I want a Phantom video game in the same style as the Arkham games.

 

[Airwings]

Ok, the if the President of the Producers Guild is backing this, I am confident thisll get made which is awesome news. Phantom has always been one of my favorite heroes. I mean he was one of, if not the first to rock the black mask with white eyes.

Really curious as to what people think the tone of the movie will be? I mean it is one of the campier comic books stories I have read, especially the glorious billy zane movie with lazer skulls. Haha. How should they represent the Ghost Who Walks to modern audiences?

I wish you welcome to SHH as well.

As for the tone, go back and read what people have writen in previous posts. There are different suggestions, but imo, the adaption should go the more serious route.

You are right that Phantom is one of the first masked heroes. He and Zorro predates most of the comic book characters, and Batman is inspired by them both.
I will bring up the tone again. I claim that Phantom is a little bit Zorro and a little bit Tarzan. They should look at Martin Campbell's two Zorro films and the 80s film Greystoke (a more serious take on the man who grew up with apes). Phantom could be be the middle ground between the two characters.

Some time ago, I brought up actor suggestions for a possible film. Now that many people have seen Fury, it could be time to discuss Logan Lerman. He was praised for his performance. Do you think he could work as a complex hero such as Phantom? Or is it too early for him to headline his own epic action adventure? Percy Jackson didn't do that well at BO, and those films didn't have much depth anyway.

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Billy Zane working on sequel/reboot to 1996 film?

I don't know, but I sure hope so.