by Matt Rodgers
Iconic comic character The Phantom is set to be given a second shot at live-action success in the form of a television series from the filmmaker behind Candy Cane Lane.
Variety report that Reginald Hudlin (Marshall) will produce and direct the series, which is in early development at King Features. Hudlin has previously written issues of Black Panther for Marvel Comics, and even has his own comic book company in Milestone Media.
The Phantom, also known as “The Ghost Who Walks” or “The Man Who Cannot Die”, was created by Lee Falk in 1936, and is often attributed with being the first costumed superhero. A character with generational powers, his role as The Phantom is passed down from father to son. The original incumbent was a 16th-century sailor named Christopher Walker, and then through daily newspaper strips and comic books the character has evolved over 90-years into ‘Phantom 2040’, or the most recent run of stories released by Mad Cave Comics in 2025.
The character’s most notable appearance thus far was in the 1996 box-office dud The Phantom, which starred Billy Zane (Titanic) in the titular role alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones (Traffic) and Kristy Swanson (OG Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Opening with just $5.7 million in North America, the $45 million budgeted movie limped to a worldwide cume of just $23.5 million.
SEE ALSO: Slam Evil! The Phantom Revisited
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