Live-Action ‘The Phantom’ TV Series in the Works

Billy Zane in 1996’s ‘The Phantom’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Preview:

A TV series based on ‘The Phantom’ is in the works.
Director Reginald Hudlin is overseeing the new show.
King Features is backing the series.

Even given the concerns about superhero fatigue, companies and creatives are still turning to the characters for new movies and shows.

The latest is ‘Candy Cane Lane’ director Reginald Hudlin (no stranger to comic books in their native form, having written for Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ title), who is developing a new take on 1930s hero ‘The Phantom’.

Release Date: Jun 7, 1996

Run Time: 1 hr 40 min

Budget: $45,000,000

Per Variety, Hudlin will direct and produce the new series, which is in development at King Features.

What’s the story of ‘The Phantom’?

Billy Zane in 1996’s ‘The Phantom’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

First published in newspaper comic strip form, ‘The Phantom’ follows a fictional costumed crime-fighter who operates from the fictional African country of Bangalla.

The character has been adapted for television, film and video games through the years, including a previous live-action series and the 1996 movie starring Billy Zane as the title character.

‘The Phantom’ TV series: the studio talks

Here’s King Features president C.J. Kettler on the new development:

“The development of a live-action series for the iconic comic strip ‘The Phantom’ marks a pivotal expansion to meet the current cultural zeitgeist for this brand. By partnering with award-nominated director Reginald Hudlin, who possesses a deep reverence for the comic industry and source material itself, we are confident this adaptation will meet the high expectations of both longtime and new fans globally.”