I believe the Paramount film suffered from ineffective promotion, but there were adolescents who actually told me that they don't go to films unless they're at least PG13. I would like to see a series keep the essential elements about the character and hopefully,l King Features will have some say in that. Still, it's a lot easier for those who don't have any money invested to demand what they feel is right, but the idea of TV and movies is to be successful with the viewers more than please long time fans.
I wish Sci Fi good fortune with the Phantom series, but I wish Mike Bullock and Ben Raab were the writers.
I think Ed hit exactly what went wrong with the movie. Slam Evil? The advertising was definitely geared to a younger crowd. I almost didn't see the film because of that! The final product on screen was much better than what the trailers and previews showed the public.
If the romance had been played up more and less of the "mystical" aspects, I think more women would have gone to see it. After we bought the DVD, I have more than once caught my wife pausing the movie on shots of Billy Zane with the mask off.
Anyway, best of luck to all involved. Since I'm heading back to the States in a few months, I hope this is a Phantom I'll look forward to watching soon.
Ticktock
I really hope they have something to say about it. It would be strange if they control what Moonstone does with the Phantom but not the Sci-Fi Channel.
They are quite different. Movies and films make more than a comic. They can afford to be picky with small projects, but they can't alienate someone who will make them big money.
Oh, that's a shame in many ways. Obviously, I understand they wish to get their character out there and make money from it, but I hope they are still intending to keep intact what has made him work for 72 years... And one of those things is, I feel, his strong moral code.
Then again, this show would thankfully not give him superpowers, like Defenders of the Earth did.
After we bought the DVD, I have more than once caught my wife pausing the movie on shots of Billy Zane with the mask off.
Old Jungle Saying, "Those would see the Phantom without his mask will....Well you know....."
Ticktock....I'm sorry for your loss.
Any-Who-How....I agree with a lot of what is being said here, but again...You all have to take a deep breath and stand back and remember everytime The Phantom has made some sort of appearance in TV and the Movies the producers have taking huge creative changes with the character. "Oh No, Jase that can't be true! They wouldn't do that to Lee Falk's character!!"
Oh, Yes my firends they would and they have.....To start...The old chapter plays....or serial if you like....biggest change that even the late Ray Charles could spot.....How about that massive Devil?? Anyone? Yeah...thats right Phantom's right hand wolf was played by a German Shepard. Also for all those who came late let me introduce you to Geodfrey Prescott. Who the heck is that?? Yeah that was the Phantom's real name according to the series. Not Kit Walker as his alias.
Then the great cartoon series Defenders of the Earth....Phantom's massive changes weren't just his outfit...Striped Trunks.....gone,....Both his sidearms....gone,.....both RINGS....gone, better yet he turned in to He-Man...."By the power of Grayskull...I mean...By jungle law, the ghost who walks calls forth the power of ten tigers!"....What the hell was that??? To the shows credit...this was suppose to be the 27th Phantom...but still the Phantom has changed that much?
Then we have The Phantom: Slam Evil.....The costume changes with the tribal tattoo doesn't bother me.....the fact we see his face throughout the movie that doesn't bother me (though I did try to advert my eyes, I'm not messing with the old jungle sayings...again Ticktock sorry about the wife)....what got me was the ending between Treat Williams and Billy Zane when the Phantom's Skull Ring apparently was passed down to Kit by Abin Sur who was the Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814. Honestly I ate that movie up till the very end where The Phantom's Skull Ring is absorbing then shooting out a purple beam. I think I dropped my popcorn.
See they all mess with the character. Does that mean we hated these shows or movies? No. I love the old serial...it's one of the best chapter plays/movies ever done. It takes liberties with the origins of the Phantom and the character himself but it is still great. I love the Defenders of the Earth....despite The Phantom having super powers...and his son Kit...sorry I mean his daughter Jedda (where the hell did she come from)....as they would run off and jump in the SkullCopter...no really...it happens...I think he was buying Batman's used surplus for the cartoon.
So like I said before... do we all get twisted? Do we start pissing and moaning now? Are we that upset that they are planing to change the character to put him on TV??? When it's what they have done EVERY time before??? The producers are already giving us die hard Phantom Phans a heads up and a huge out. This is the 23rd Phantom not the 21st. So this isn't your Phantom...Heck this isnt Mr. Falk's Phantom either....It's Theirs. So like it or hate it....it's coming in a 4 hour dose....all I can said is enjoy it for what it is....and seeing the Phantom on the small silver screen....and don't drop your popcorn. And watch out for those deadly purple beams!!!
Old Jungle Saying.....Relax...and Enjoy the Show....Or The Phantom will shoot in the arse with his Purple Ray Ring Thingy then he will beat ya with the Strength of 10 tigers as he let his German Shepard attack dog loose on you while his daughter Jedda mans the Skull Copter for his getaway.........See it could be worst...alot worst.
Jase
(The 
who writes.)
Another good post, Jase, and I agree with a lot of it.
The fact that the producers CAN turn the Phantom into something different while still not having to change OUR Phantom speaks volumes about what a usable character Falk created.
Still, I hope we get a really faithful media adaptation before I no longer walk on earth.... And hopefully, that will leave somebody with many, many years to achieve that.
(speaking of, I always felt both the serial and the Zane film managed to keep much of the comic's spirit intact, despite some changes)
After we bought the DVD, I have more than once caught my wife pausing the movie on shots of Billy Zane with the mask off.
Old Jungle Saying, "Those would see the Phantom without his mask will....Well you know....."
Ticktock....I'm sorry for your loss.
Jase
(The who writes.)
That is why I specifically stated she was looking at Billy Zane. I'm not one to tempt Old Jungle Sayings; shoot, I don't even make fun of old soap jingles. 
Excellent post on keeping a perspective Jase. I'm keeping an open mind on the upcoming DE Phantom title as well. The more (good) Ghost That Walks the better I say.
I wholeheartedly agree with Rhoades and Walker in their hope that SciFi will keep the characteristics intact that made the Phantom so popular around the world for 75 years.
Ticktock
I love Seth Rogen.
Also apparently he has started working out and training to play Brit.
The movie is intended to be an action movie and not a comedy.
However, when I heard Seth Rogen was playing the Green Hornet I had the same comment, "What? Is it going to be a comedy?"
I'm a huge Green Hornet Fan...and I have to put up with Seth Rogen playing and writting the new Green Hornet
Yeah, what is up with that? How drunk did they have to be for that to sound like a good idea?
Yeah, what is up with that? How drunk did they have to be for that to sound like a good idea?
I know...Now if you are going to have it be a buddy Comedy where GH and Kato are two stoners (They reworked the gas gun into a bong) traveling cross country in the Black Beauty (Which now is a tricked out 68' VW Bug Van) attempting to protect the rights of their favorite Grateful Dead song...then yeah Rogen would be great.
The strange thing is I felt this same way back in the late 80's when I heard Micheal Keaton was to play Batman, and I was like, "The guy from Mr. Mom??"...but I got to admit, I liked the first Batman flick. I know it doesn't compare to the Batman Begins or The Dark Knight...but at that time it was great.
BTW....does anyone out there happen to know who currently holds the publishing rights to Green Hornet and/or there any plans to do something with this character??? Really surprised Moonstone or even Dynamite hasn't attempt to do a revamp or pick up where NOW Comics left off. NOW Comics had a great family tree and thought it completely out to bring the Hornet into "our" timeline. Yet they were still able to tell stories of 30's, 60's, and at that time the 90's Hornet. Plus those early issues and the great "Sting of GH" mini series had some amazing work by Jeff Butler (who BTW is one of the most friendly and gifted people you would ever want to meet) and some of the best cover work by a bunch of great artist of that time .
Ok I've gone completely off topic...and have given my two cents in to the point I'm poor.
Jase
(The who writes.)
I wish Sci Fi good fortune with the Phantom series, but I wish Mike Bullock and Ben Raab were the writers.
Me too. It would be a blast to work on something that awesome with a writer as sharp as Ben. I'm just glad we get to see more of Ben's Phantom soon... oh wait, was I supposed to mention that yet? 