Easter 2009 - Okay... so... she's a dog!

For those who know my affinity for 'Ghostbuster'... it would explain the title of this blog... It has no connection with what I'm going to talk about further on in this page. I just finally saw the trailer to the Ghostbuster Video Game... and may I say - EXCITED!!!!!!!!!

That said... "Have you seen the concept work for Phantom TV series?"
This is the question I'm getting asked the most,  so I figured I take this opportunity to respond.
First of all, YES, I have seen the concept design.
What do I think about it????
I understand where the producers are at.
They have what 'Hollywood' would deem to be an outdated superhero dressed in a purple tight 1930's strongman suit with underware on the outside in a world of ultra sharp looking, ultra powerful superheroes.
I get it...
but there is certain things I personally wouldn't mess with (the cowl being one - which seems like they've turned it into a hoodie, or maybe the nuns outfit from 'Doubt' - not sure?) but either way, it would seem safe to say that they have gone for an Urban/Batman look.
I guess they see it as a 'Safe' bet? But as seen by the backlash over the internet... maybe it wasn't?
When I was putting together my project, I kept telling myself  "This is NOT Batman, NOR is it Punisher - IT IS THE PHANTOM".
It would have been easy for me to give him gadgets, suits that can make him faster and stronger (G.I. JOE anybody?) etc... but that's not what he's about. His power comes from tradition, myth, legend and family.
He uses his strength, wits and cunning to defeat his enemies.
He's just better than everybody else.
He is big and he is strong!
And he kicks ASS.
He is VENGENCE and he can NEVER die - well atleast to the outside world.
The Phantom is cool and in my opion doesn't need much else.
I can only hope that this vision doesn't get lost - especially if I don't get to direct the film as it will soley come down to a Director's vision of the project.

I understand the backlash... and I promise - there's more to come as I know they have pulled a "Battlestar" on you and done a 'starbuck' by changing Guran to a girl (albeit a good looking one).

But all in all, it's not my project  - so what the hell do I know huh? I'm just the guy doing THE MOVIE!

I hope you all have a great and safe Easter,
Tim

The Phantom and the Multiplex.

 
Hey guys,

I'm getting a few emails regarding the SciFi channels "Phantom" and how will it effect the film?

First of all, YES the Sci Fi guys are doing a Mini series, which I guess they would like to turn into a full series - I'm not sure about that one, but I think it would be safe to say that.

I've actually seen a little bit of their script. They're really, really going down a different path re: storyline (infact, there seems to be a lot of similarities with an early draft of Legacy I wrote) but all in all... a very different story and feel.
 Do I think it will affect us? Yes and no.

Yes, it would have been nice as we are both looking to the children and therefore a singular 'Origin' story would have been great. Do I think it will effect the films place in the marketplace? No. The movie we're making is strong and will have big named hollywood attachments. We'll have to wait and see, but I guess for Phantom Phans... there's plenty to look forward too.

I've been given the week off Phantom to start writing another film and deal with some 'Plex' sales which are going through Australia, US and hopefully UK.

"For those who came in late..." The Plex is a comedy about cinema usher and their day to day lives.

This was a film  made about a year ago, and it's great that the DVD and TV sales are coming thtough. If you haven't seen it, it's a lot of fun. A completely shits and giggles type of film. So if you like low budget, dialogue driven comedy, then check it out.

We also will be having the DVD for sale on the web soon too.
I hope you're all well. Thanks for the emails... and as always, I'll try to keep you posted

Tim
 

MARCH 2009 update

 
Hey All,
Well the new draft of 'Legacy' has made all the guys down at 'Kings' very excited. The screenplay is getting tight and we've started moving into talks re: casting for the film.
I've been working hard on some conceptual designs - Kit/Heloise/Skull Cave. So far we have a rough title work that is now my desktop image on my PC, plus a few teaser posters which may make their way onto this page at sometime? who knows???
The pitch for the film is going down the right path too - They're calling it 'Black Hawk Down' meets 'Iron Man'. So I guess now you know the direction we're taking this film.
Obviously, people are getting hot for this film right now. I'll try keep you updated as much as possible.
I'm also kicking it hard on Streetfighter 4 (PS3) and Killzone 2. So if you're online and battling away... and you see a guy with a huge target painted on his back being used as fodder... then you're probably seeing me!
 
Tim

welcome all to 2009

Blog 1 - 'The Phantom: Legacy'

Now that we've sort of got those 'Sequel' rumors under control, I guess I can start talking about what we're doing and where the project is at.

First of all, I've got to say - this is a very exciting time. Being able to bring the first masked comic superhero back to the big screen is an absolute honor. I've been researching The Phantom intensely for the last year or so and I've been working with the support of King Features Syndicate to try and bring you the tightest possible film. Yes, this is a new look at the comic book hero, but rest assured -  He wont be 'heavily gadget man' (as that is another comic book hero named Batman) and he wont be an 'angry mob killer' (as 'The Punisher' -Frank Castle has been made into a film 3 times - remember the Dolph Lundgren film - that too was shot in Australia... old skool). He will be, without doubt 'The Phantom'. A man who has sworn an oath to protect - but at what cost?

I'm not really taking a break over the holidays - tis' the season to be writing :) but that really doesn't bother me. Even if I could take a break, I'd still only be thinking of the flick - oh and Jay Crewes's heavily spiked egg nogg which I'm missing over here! (You better save me some Jay for when I get back!!)

Apart from that, my life is as usual. I'm looking to get back to Australia early Jan (too much American food!) and hope to enjoy some of the Aussie summer.

Unfortunately I can't say too much else on the project apart from that we're ALL working very hard to do this film right. We're making choices. We're trying to keep the essence of the characters real and not get caught up in the 'wrong stuff'.

There's an actor I'd like to see play the lead role - but that's for another day.

Have an awesome festive season,

Stay safe,

Tim 

The Phantom: Legacy

Well, it's officially out there. Yes, we're doing a 'Phantom' film.

But there's one thing I need to set straight as the reporting is incorrect.

This fim is NOT a 'Sequel'. It is a 're-launch' or 're-boot' of the comic franchise to the big screen. This film has nothing to do with the 1996 movie.

I wanted to clear this up as people keep asking me this same questions.

I'll post back in a while to keep you updated.

Be well, take care...

Tim

Release Date Pushed Forward

Well as crazy as it seems... the release date of "The Plex" has now been pushed forward to September 4th!

This means we will go head to head with "Harold And Kumar 2" as well as "Son of Rambow". Let the arm wrestle begin!

We also have "Hellboy 2" out the week before and "Mummy 3" the week after!

So tell your friends, drag your Grandma (trust me... there's more action for grannies than any other film that week!) and go hit the cinemas!

"The Plex" - September 4th! .... or until the date gets changed again.

Tim

Check out the new trailer for "The Plex" - in cinemas September 25th, 2008

The Plex - In Cinemas September!

I know it's been a long time between drinks (or blogs as the case maybe), but here I am, back again with great news for you.

Failing a mass destruction in talks and negotiations, we should all be seeing an Australian cinema release of "The Plex" this September.

We have been in talks for some time now with our good friends at Greater Union Cinemas and it would seem that we have come to a decision to release the film in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast  - with screenings possible in SA and WA too.

We are booking dates, but it looks like we will have advanced screenings taking place on the weekend of the 20th of September, with the official season opening around the country on the 25th.

I have re-cut the film to run at a tight 90mins. A new trailer will be released on the internet soon. For those who haven't hit the official website, you can download the trailer and a few scenes from: www.racingteam.com.au

We will be taking on the likes of seemingly the hardest working man in Hollywood - Brendan Fraser - who stars in both the new "Mummy" movie as well as the new take on Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth", as well as the new Disney flick "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" - yes... we're up against a talking dog. 

Seeing these flicks seem to be for kids... I'm feeling okay with it. The only other film to really go up against us is "Step Brothers", the new Will Ferrell / John C. Riely flick (which looks kinda fun).

The Sydney cinemas we're looking to release at are Geroge Street - Sydney, Bondi Junction Westfield, Mosman (where we shot the film), Macquarie Centre, Castle Hill Towers and Hornsby Westfield.

The other states have not yet been decided, but I'm sure I'll put up a full posting soon.

The DVD should be released in time for Christmas and will be full of extra goodies (which will be disclosed in the near future) but as a sneak peak, it will include two commentary tracks, an all new documentary and over 45mins of deleted scenes and bloopers!

So as you can see... it's all stepping up. I'll keep you posted of any changes and hope to see you all (and your friends) at the movies in September!

Tim

Post Oscar Scars

Well, I don't want to brag... but I told you so. Well, maybe not on this site, but those close to me know that I successfully picked 13 winners at this years Academy Awards - making me the winner of our sweeps (pretty much just had to pick "No Country..." for all the awards to get me through :) 

So you would think that this little whoo ha would make me happy. That maybe I'd bask in the glory of said victory??? No... Not I. 

I followed this amazing winning streak with a trip to my local hospital! That's right, all this excitment had left me a little sore.

You see, on Saturday I had my first Surfing lesson - no I didn't stand, and yes... it was fun. But hours of sun, sand and surf left me with what "Doctors" are calling - bruised / fractured ribs. And like a little whining beyatch - I've been milking it for all it's worth. I now know, if you want to see my blood pressure drop, just draw a little blood from me and watch my face turn a pale white.

 Also - waiting rooms - yikes, we we're there to 4am! and on a school night. X-rays, blood test... and plenty of pain killers!

Crazy!

On the "Plex" front however, life is going well. We've entered the film into the "Sydney Film Festival" - not sure if we'll get in, but I'll keep you posted on the progress. We're also in talks with having the film in cinemas by end of June 2008 - with a DVD release around September/October 2008. So for those who haven't seen the film yet, or  those who keep emailing me asking to see it again - 4 to 6 months and you should all be fine. 

We've been working on the "Racer" teaser - The teaser should be posted soon. It looks amazing and I can't wait to show you what we have install for you. I'm going to be busy for a short while, but i'll try and keep this site as up to date as possible.

Keep well and be careful when you're out in the surf... I can't quite turn yet... so I could be coming straight at you!

Tim