Follow-up to ‘The Phantom’ Planned

I don’t know which aspect of this story is the most unbelievable. Â  There’s an Australian production company that has bought up the rights to ‘The Phantom Legacy’. Â  At first, you might think they were attempting to restart the franchise, but, according to the article from the Associated Press, the film will be a sequel to the 1996 version of ‘The Phantom’ starring none other than Billy Zane. Â  Kind of hard to believe when you consider that film made $17 million domestic.

If that news isn’t unbelievable enough, the film is reportedly budgeted at around $87 million.   According to screenwriter, Tim Boyle, the new film will focus on  “the Father/Son relationship, and what it means to be The Phantom.   The film will be set in the present day and will deal with the concept of destiny.”

Producer Bruce Sherlock, who also served as executive producer of the first Phantom movie, said the new film will be a marked improvement over its predecessor, which received mixed reviews.

“It has the makings of a blockbuster,” Sherlock told The Associated Press. “There’s some surprises that will thrill the Phantom fans worldwide.” Sherlock’s Sydney-based Sherlock Symington Productions won the rights to the film.

The movie will likely be shot entirely in Australia, with production set to begin within six to nine months, Sherlock said. Producers are in talks with several “top talent” Australian and American actors, Sherlock said. He declined to provide names.

So, when more details emerge about the project, it sounds more like a restart, but it’s still be touted as a follow-up. Â  We’ll see soon enough.

What do you think? Â  Did you even see Mr. Zane “slam evil” in the 1996 version? Â  Do you know anything about the comic strip the story is based on? Â  Who do you think should be the new Phantom? Â  Let us know by commenting below!

Source: Associated Press