The Phantom (miniseries)
Encyclopedia
The Phantom is a 2009 miniseries
inspired by Lee Falk
's comic strip of the same name, and directed by Paolo Barzman. It first aired on The Movie Network
and then on Syfy
in June 2010. It stars Ryan Carnes
as Kit Walker, the 22nd Phantom, and is produced by RHI Entertainment
and Muse Entertainment.
traceur Chris Moore is shocked to learn that he was adopted and that he is actually the son of The Phantom, a legendary crime-fighter and defender of the innocent, a role that has been passed down from father to son in the Walker line for centuries after the 1st Phantom's father was murdered by pirates. Shortly after Chris's adoptive parents are murdered by hired assassins of the Singh Brotherhood, the long-time antagonists of the Phantom for over 5 centuries. Now going by his birth name of Kit Walker, he joins the Phantom team (consisting of a bunch of scientists, close ally of the Walkers Abel Vandermaark and Guran (a native woman of the Bangalla Jungle who quickly befriends Kit) in the jungles of Bangalla
, the fictional small island nation in Indonesian archipelago to be trained as an expert in martial arts
and combat, and emerges as the 22nd Phantom to battle evil.
He quickly encounters the Singh Brotherhood
, now led by the murderous and arrogant Rhatib Singh. Wearing an updated Phantom uniform that gives him added strength and speed, Kit's first mission is to stop Singh and figure out the Singh Brotherhood's plans for a new technology they have developed named "Flicker" (which enables them to brainwash people through specially planted Cable TV Set Top Boxes to complete specific tasks). However, the task is not so easy as there is a mole in the Phantom Team, and the Singh Brotherhood attempts to assassinate the police detective father of Kit's new love, Renny. Kit eventually finds and eliminates the facility which handles the broadcasts, but not before the Brotherhood transmits the necessary commands to the people needed to make their master plan a success. Kit races against time to stop brainwashed people (including a press photographer, a Secret Service agent and an EMT) from assassinating a diplomat who has an uncanny ability to bring nations to peace, and the only man who can do so to the Middle East and whose death would spark wars (and thereby increase the Brotherhood's revenue).
Kit manages to save the diplomat as the Phantom, and in the wake of this Rhatib Singh orders the mole in the Phantom Team (who has been holding Renny and her father at gunpoint to force the Phantom to allow the diplomat to be murdered) to kill them, but the team manages to subdue the mole. Immediately after the failure is revealed, Singh is executed by the other board members of the Brotherhood for incompetence. Finally, Kit confronts Vandermaark, who it turns out is a morally questionable man with a streak of cruelty and who deliberately tipped the Brotherhood off to Kit's foster parents' location in order to entice Kit to become the Phantom. Vandermaark attempts to convince Kit to put the past behind him, but Kit begins to walk away from him, thereby banishing him from the Phantom Team. Vandermaark screams that he won't let Kit destroy what the previous Phantom and he had built and throws a grenade, which Kit shoots in mid-air, making it explode in Vandermaark's face.
In the epilogue, the Singh Brotherhood introduces its new chairman; a very disfigured Vandermaark who survived the grenade explosion, while at the Skull Cave in Banagalia Kit bids farewell and kisses Renny, finally becoming a couple. As Renny departs for New York to help her father recover, Guran smilingly reminds Kit that one of the Phantom's most sacred duties is to produce an heir.
announced he and his son and collaborator Charles Knauf had completed a four-hour TV-movie
script for SCI FI Channel
, later re-named Syfy
, starring the 22nd Phantom.
On March 23, 2009, Sci Fi Channel announced that they have formally ordered a 4-hour mini-series in two parts, which will also serve as a backdoor pilot. It is produced by Muse Entertainment and RHI Entertainment
, with Paolo Barzman directing. The series was shot in New York
, Costa Rica
and Montreal
.
The goal of the writers was to stay faithful to the source material while updating it for the screen, adding elements of science fiction rarely seen in the comic. The character's costume was updated, with the Knaufs wanting to stay faithful to the old look of the Phantom while making it more practical for the screen.
in December 2009 and later aired on Syfy in the US on June 20, 2010. The series was released on DVD and Blu-ray on September 7, 2010, from Vivendi Entertainment
.
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
inspired by Lee Falk
Lee Falk
Lee Falk, born Leon Harrison Gross , was an American writer, theater director, and producer, best known as the creator of the popular comic strip superheroes The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, who at the height of their popularity attracted over a hundred million readers every day...
's comic strip of the same name, and directed by Paolo Barzman. It first aired on The Movie Network
The Movie Network
The Movie Network is a Canadian English language Category A premium television service, owned by Astral Media. The service is licensed to operate east of the Ontario-Manitoba border, excluding the territories...
and then on Syfy
Syfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
in June 2010. It stars Ryan Carnes
Ryan Carnes
Ryan Gregg Carnes is an American actor. He attended Duke University where he was a member of DUMB, the Duke University Marching Band. He is currently working on a collaboration with other musicians and is an accomplished drummer of 15 years.In 2003 Carnes was part of a national campaign for...
as Kit Walker, the 22nd Phantom, and is produced by RHI Entertainment
RHI Entertainment
RHI Entertainment , formerly known as Hallmark Entertainment, is an American producer of television movies and miniseries, founded in 1979 by Robert Halmi Jr. and Robert Halmi Sr. as Robert Halmi Incorporated....
and Muse Entertainment.
Plot
Law student and ParkourParkour
Parkour is a method of movement focused on moving around obstacles with speed and efficiency. Originally developed in France, the main purpose of the discipline is to teach participants how to move through their environment by vaulting, rolling, running, climbing and jumping...
traceur Chris Moore is shocked to learn that he was adopted and that he is actually the son of The Phantom, a legendary crime-fighter and defender of the innocent, a role that has been passed down from father to son in the Walker line for centuries after the 1st Phantom's father was murdered by pirates. Shortly after Chris's adoptive parents are murdered by hired assassins of the Singh Brotherhood, the long-time antagonists of the Phantom for over 5 centuries. Now going by his birth name of Kit Walker, he joins the Phantom team (consisting of a bunch of scientists, close ally of the Walkers Abel Vandermaark and Guran (a native woman of the Bangalla Jungle who quickly befriends Kit) in the jungles of Bangalla
Bangalla
Bangalla, also known as Bengali and Bangolia, is a fictional African country that features in the Lee Falk created comic series The Phantom. Bangalla is the home of the Phantom, who resides in the Deep Woods of the jungle in the fabled Skull Cave...
, the fictional small island nation in Indonesian archipelago to be trained as an expert in martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
and combat, and emerges as the 22nd Phantom to battle evil.
He quickly encounters the Singh Brotherhood
Singh Brotherhood
The Singh Brotherhood is a fictional global crime syndicate. They are the best known adversaries of the Lee Falk created superhero The Phantom, and have made many appearances in Phantom comic books and comic strips throughout the years...
, now led by the murderous and arrogant Rhatib Singh. Wearing an updated Phantom uniform that gives him added strength and speed, Kit's first mission is to stop Singh and figure out the Singh Brotherhood's plans for a new technology they have developed named "Flicker" (which enables them to brainwash people through specially planted Cable TV Set Top Boxes to complete specific tasks). However, the task is not so easy as there is a mole in the Phantom Team, and the Singh Brotherhood attempts to assassinate the police detective father of Kit's new love, Renny. Kit eventually finds and eliminates the facility which handles the broadcasts, but not before the Brotherhood transmits the necessary commands to the people needed to make their master plan a success. Kit races against time to stop brainwashed people (including a press photographer, a Secret Service agent and an EMT) from assassinating a diplomat who has an uncanny ability to bring nations to peace, and the only man who can do so to the Middle East and whose death would spark wars (and thereby increase the Brotherhood's revenue).
Kit manages to save the diplomat as the Phantom, and in the wake of this Rhatib Singh orders the mole in the Phantom Team (who has been holding Renny and her father at gunpoint to force the Phantom to allow the diplomat to be murdered) to kill them, but the team manages to subdue the mole. Immediately after the failure is revealed, Singh is executed by the other board members of the Brotherhood for incompetence. Finally, Kit confronts Vandermaark, who it turns out is a morally questionable man with a streak of cruelty and who deliberately tipped the Brotherhood off to Kit's foster parents' location in order to entice Kit to become the Phantom. Vandermaark attempts to convince Kit to put the past behind him, but Kit begins to walk away from him, thereby banishing him from the Phantom Team. Vandermaark screams that he won't let Kit destroy what the previous Phantom and he had built and throws a grenade, which Kit shoots in mid-air, making it explode in Vandermaark's face.
In the epilogue, the Singh Brotherhood introduces its new chairman; a very disfigured Vandermaark who survived the grenade explosion, while at the Skull Cave in Banagalia Kit bids farewell and kisses Renny, finally becoming a couple. As Renny departs for New York to help her father recover, Guran smilingly reminds Kit that one of the Phantom's most sacred duties is to produce an heir.
Cast
- Ryan CarnesRyan CarnesRyan Gregg Carnes is an American actor. He attended Duke University where he was a member of DUMB, the Duke University Marching Band. He is currently working on a collaboration with other musicians and is an accomplished drummer of 15 years.In 2003 Carnes was part of a national campaign for...
as Kit Walker/Chris Moore – the 22nd Phantom - Cameron GoodmanCameron Goodman-Biography:She was born in Texas but grew up in Washington D.C. She attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. after transferring from Syracuse University in New York.-Career:...
as Renny Davidson – Kit's girlfriend and paramedic - Jean Marchand as Abel Vandermaark – Kit’s mentor and one of the Walkers’ oldest allies although Kit becomes suspicious of his true intentions
- Sandrine HoltSandrine HoltSandrine Holt is a British-born Eurasian Canadian model turned actress.-Early life:Holt was born Sandrine Ho in London, England to a Chinese father and a French mother. At age five, she and her family moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which has remained her hometown. Holt attended St...
as Guran – the Phantom's close friend and advisor - Isabella RosselliniIsabella RosselliniIsabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and model. Rossellini is noted for her 14-year tenure as a Lancôme model, and for her roles in films such as Blue Velvet and Death Becomes Her.-Background and early life:Rossellini is a...
as Dr. Bella Lithia - Ron LeaRon LeaRon Lea is a Canadian actor.Lea was born in Montreal and attended Concordia University before moving on to take acting training at the National Theatre School. His career took off after appearing in various local theatre productions. Lea can be seen in many movies on television, but may be most...
as Detective Sgt. Sean Davidson – Renny's father - Cas Anvar as Rhatib Singh – head of the Singh Brotherhood
- Ivan Smith as Dr. Deepak Baboor – director of Bpaa Thap
Production
On July 29, 2008, screenwriter Daniel KnaufDaniel Knauf
Daniel Knauf, sometimes credited under the pseudonyms Wilfred Schmidt and Chris Neal, is an American screenwriter, comic book writer, director and producer best known for his creation of the 2003 HBO series Carnivàle.-Biography:...
announced he and his son and collaborator Charles Knauf had completed a four-hour TV-movie
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
script for SCI FI Channel
Sci Fi Channel (United States)
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
, later re-named Syfy
Syfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
, starring the 22nd Phantom.
On March 23, 2009, Sci Fi Channel announced that they have formally ordered a 4-hour mini-series in two parts, which will also serve as a backdoor pilot. It is produced by Muse Entertainment and RHI Entertainment
RHI Entertainment
RHI Entertainment , formerly known as Hallmark Entertainment, is an American producer of television movies and miniseries, founded in 1979 by Robert Halmi Jr. and Robert Halmi Sr. as Robert Halmi Incorporated....
, with Paolo Barzman directing. The series was shot in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
.
The goal of the writers was to stay faithful to the source material while updating it for the screen, adding elements of science fiction rarely seen in the comic. The character's costume was updated, with the Knaufs wanting to stay faithful to the old look of the Phantom while making it more practical for the screen.
Release
The two-part mini-series, a total of three hours, premiered in Canada on The Movie NetworkThe Movie Network
The Movie Network is a Canadian English language Category A premium television service, owned by Astral Media. The service is licensed to operate east of the Ontario-Manitoba border, excluding the territories...
in December 2009 and later aired on Syfy in the US on June 20, 2010. The series was released on DVD and Blu-ray on September 7, 2010, from Vivendi Entertainment
Vivendi Entertainment
Vivendi Entertainment is an independent film, television, DVD and digital distribution company operating in the United States and Canada. It is also a distribution partner for independent content providers....
.