Tag: the-phantom

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

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

    2227

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

    Related Article: Top 10 Best Original Superhero Movies of All Time!

    What’s the story of ‘The Phantom’?

    Billy Zane in 1996's 'The Phantom'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    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.”

    (L to R) Billy Zane and Kristy Swanson in 1996's 'The Phantom'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Billy Zane and Kristy Swanson in 1996’s ‘The Phantom’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Movies and TV Series Featuring The Phantom:

    The Phantom‘ (1961)
    ‘Phantom 2040’ (1994)
    ‘The Phantom’ (1996)
    ‘The Phantom’ (2009)

    Buy The Phantom Movies and TV on Amazon

    NkI9haas

     

  • Actor Treat Williams Dies at Age 71

    Treat Williams in 'The Substitute 2: School's Out.'
    Treat Williams in ‘The Substitute 2: School’s Out.’

    Treat Williams, and actor known for a variety of roles in movies, TV series and on stage, has tragically died in a motorcycle accident in Vermont.

    Williams is being remembered as a kind, generous human and a colleague that many were happy to work with.

    His death following the accident was confirmed by his longtime agent, Barry McPherson, who issued the following statement:

    “He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off. I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented. He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s. He was really proud of his performance this year. He’s been so happy with the work that I got him. He’s had a balanced career.”

    Richard Treat Williams was born on December 1st, 1951, in Stamford, Connecticut, and raised in nearby Rowayton. “I had an idyllic childhood, but I didn’t initially realize how idyllic it truly was until I grew older,” he told Vermont Magazine in an interview last year. “Our backyard was the Long Island Sound. My mother had a little sailing and swimming school. I taught at her school, and I used to race blue jay and lightning boats on the sound.”

    Leaving home aged 14 to attend the Kent School in Connecticut, the athletic Williams was offered a spot on the football team but turned it down in favor of the theater company at Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

    Treat Williams in 1998's 'Deep Rising.'
    Treat Williams in 1998’s ‘Deep Rising.’

    Related Article: Legendary Singer and Actress Tina Turner Has Died at the Age of 83

    A long career

    So began a career that would straddle screens big and small, and the stage, sometimes crossing between them.

    Williams made his movie debut as a cop in Ivan Nagy’s 1975 crime thriller ‘Deadly Hero’ and stuck with the lawman theme to play an earnest detective for Richard Lester in both the stage play and film based on Terrence McNally‘s ‘The Ritz’.

    In terms of movies, Williams might best be remembered for a few eclectic roles, including in 1979’s ‘Hair’ and once again on the fictional lawman beat in 1981’s ‘Prince of the City’.

    Other movie work included as villain Xander Drax in ‘The Phantom’ and turns in ‘The Eagle Has Landed’, ‘1941’, ‘Once Upon a Time in America’, ‘Dead Heat’, ‘Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead’ and ‘Deep Rising’.

    1628

    ‘Everwood’ and other TV

    In 2002, he began portraying the leading role of Dr. Andrew “Andy” Brown on The WB’s Greg Berlanti-created drama ‘Everwood’. He starred on the series for all four seasons, and even earned himself a SAG Award nomination for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series.

    He’s since appeared on shows such as ‘Blue Bloods’, ‘Chicago Fire’ and ‘Chesapeake Shores’ and in a number of Hallmark TV movies.

    He’s survived by his wife, his wife, Pam Van Sant, and children Gill and Elinor.

    Treat Williams in 'The Great Alaskan Race.'
    Treat Williams in ‘The Great Alaskan Race.’

    Treat Williams Movies:

    Buy Treat Williams Movies On Amazon