the New Phantom costume??? god no

[Mikey]

I think one of the studio's problems is, they hire a lot of actor's that have lousy bodies for the leads in these kinds of movies.

Comic book hero's aren't Shakespeare.
Just cast a dumb muscleman actor that looks good in the suit and people will be happy.
Most hero's don't have much personality anyway -- and the little they do have is usually written way over-the-top to the point of being laughable.

[huedell]

I don't know the character either---but the "modern" one I'd pick anyday
if I had a gun to my head and had to sell a movie---hey---if you can sell
a "classic" costumed hero that looked simillar to that Zane costume to the
demographic that is 35 and under, I think you're a
miracleworker....otherwise, I'd go the darker, more believable route.

[YoungOnce]

Apparently, those projects merely prove that a lot of
(I'm searching for the least derogatory word here!)
"Net-fans" approved of the costume(s) look in those shorts.

I can understand the studios apprehension to thrust costumes like those
on the regular movie-going audience.

This forum isn't going to be a great place to debate this...it's kinda biased by
it's demographic

I agree. Obviously anyone who is reading and posting on this forum has no issue with conventional superhero costuming.

But if a careful compromise in costuming can open up your market appeal... hey, they do it for a reason.

That reason is usually $$$$$$$$$$

[Werewolf]

So...The Ghost who Walks is now an Emo kid in a matrix hoody with purple sneakers?

[ctc]

>But if a careful compromise in costuming can open up your market appeal... hey,

I kind of agree; but I don't think too many people would be freaked out by the good ol' tights and mask outfit.

>they do it for a reason.

Yeah, but it's not always a GOOD one.

>but the "modern" one I'd pick anyday if I had a gun to my head and had to sell a movie

Dunno why, but that makes me think of the film "Cecil B. Demented."

>So...The Ghost who Walks is now an Emo kid in a matrix hoody with purple sneakers?

"The Ghost That Pouts?"

Don C.

[shellhead]

With the hood up he looks kind of like a leech, wich is appropriate, cuz this design sucks.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I think everyone assumes that the general public/young demographic doesn't like true scifi or costumed heroes, etc. If it was ever presented in a correct way, true to the source material, directed well, acted well, and given in theatre terms a "willing suspension of disbelief," I think it would succeed. If every movie had to follow the guideline of "what would this be like in the real world" half the movies in existence would never get made. Wearing an armored hoodie doesn't make it anymore believable to me then spandex. On the other hand if the story and production show good value then I don't care if he runs around in a bunny suit.

[trekman101]

The costume designers have to look at the original comic version then created a more today looking costume and then go with a blended version concept.

[palitoy]

I kind of think they could have created a now looking suit that wouldn't alienate the fan base.

[ctc]

>then created a more today looking costume

That's my problem with most remakes; when they update stuff they make it conform to the current accepted notion of "correct," which invariably makes it look like everything else. THAT'S my complaint with stuff like this, that it ends up being the same movie I've seen a zillion times under different names. Rather than exemplarate what makes their character/setting/continuity unique they focus on what makes it common.

>I kind of think they could have created a now looking suit that wouldn't alienate the fan base.

Especially considering the character wears the old school tights in every OTHER currently running version.

Don C.

[WannabeMego]

I understand the need to make it somewhat current/believable...but maybe the problem is that we know the Phantom is a MAN and not a kid...

How old do we think Bruce Wayne/Batman is in the current adaptation...mid-late 20's or early-mid 30's...

I tend to think that most of us believe he's in his early-mid 30's...any younger and I don't think we would have given into the fantasy of it being a possible reality.

We know Spiderman is supposed to be about College-Age, so young works for us there...

I think that if the character appeared to be 10 years older AND 10-15 pounds heavier (muscular) WITH a Mask over his eyes...well, then I don't think it would be 1/2 bad visually...

Smallville works because there is an established history (albeit loose) that Clark tried to fit in growing up...but the Phantom is 'The Man Who Cannot Die' not a Kid.

If the old standard is true that we're supposed to look up to our Heroes (Role Models) then it only makes sense that the character should be older if it's target audience is supposed to be High School to College Age.

Just my 2 cents...

...and I enjoyed Billy Zane in the Phantom, corny, but still, enjoyable...I didn't wretch...

[shyndman]

Is it just me or does it kind of remind you of the stillsuits the Fremen wore in Dune (the old movie version)?

[MIB41]

I went back and watched Billy Zane's Phantom again over the weekend. Visually it really isn't bad at all. Still have some issues with the Phantom cave but overall the film looks good. What hurts is the silly dialog and the virgin-like quality of the Phantom. He's so pure, he's corny. But I do like his look. I just think they should have lowered the lighting. Putting shadows around that outfit would have really raised his appeal. And when the bandits first see the Phantom and call him "that thing" well... that doesn't make alot of sense. You can see it's a guy wearing a mask so their over reaction doesn't really make sense. It's a fun movie though. Kind of a B-style Indiana Jones film.