A new live‑action adaptation of The Phantom is officially underway, with filmmaker Reginald Hudlin (Candy Cane Lane, Sidney) set to direct and produce the project, as first reported by Variety. The series is currently in development at King Features, owned by Hearst, the company that controls the long‑running comic strip, though no network or streaming platform has been announced.

Created by Lee Falk (Mandrake the Magician, The Phantom), The Phantom debuted 90 years ago and is widely regarded as the first costumed superhero, a legacy highlighted by Variety in its coverage of the project’s development. Known as “The Ghost Who Walks,” the character predates icons like Batman and Iron Man and continues to maintain a global readership across regions including the Nordics, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, the U.K., Europe and India.

The franchise has seen renewed momentum in recent years, a trend noted by Variety, thanks to digital expansions such as the Phantom 2040 webcomic by Alex Segura (Secret Identity, Archie Meets KISS). The mythology has also grown through a new comic book series from Mad Cave Comics, which launched in 2025 and is slated for additional releases through 2027.

Beyond publishing, Hearst plans to expand the brand into immersive entertainment, a development teased in Variety’s reporting. The company says a “significant immersive location‑based entertainment experience” tied to The Phantom will be announced later this year, signaling a broader multimedia strategy for the franchise.

Hudlin’s involvement brings a notable creative pedigree to the adaptation, a point emphasized by Variety in its announcement. In addition to his film and television work, Hudlin is a veteran of the comic book industry, having written Black Panther for Marvel Comics and produced Django Unchained for Quentin Tarantino. He also co‑owns Milestone Media, where a feature film based on the Static Shock character is currently in development.

King Features president C.J. Kettler praised the collaboration in a statement shared with Variety, saying: “The development of a live-action series for the iconic comic strip ‘The Phantom’ marks a pivotal expansion to meet the current cultural zeitgeist for this brand. By partnering with award-nominated director Hudlin, who possesses a deep reverence for the comic industry and source material itself, we are confident this adaptation will meet the high expectations of both longtime and new fans globally.”

With Hudlin leading the project and the franchise’s renewed cultural relevance, Variety notes that this live‑action series aims to introduce The Phantom to a new generation while honoring the legacy that helped shape the modern superhero genre.