One of the most familiar faces of theatre will soon head to the small screen. According to Deadline, Gaston Leroux’s classic novel The Phantom of the Opera is due for a young adult reimagination at Disney+, with Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, The Descendents) at the helm.
Not much else is known about the film, titled Phantom, but it could potentially spawn a new franchise for the streamer if it becomes a hit. The project marks Ortega’s return to Disney after a deal closure with Netflix, and is set to adapt the events of the 1909 literary work.
Set in the 1880s, the haunting tale follows Erik, a mysterious, disfigured musical genius who secretly lives in the shadows of the Paris Opera House, and becomes obsessed with Christine, a young singer who performs in the theatre. As the titular character begins to manipulate events to make her the star of the production, the duo’s relationship quickly turns into a story of tragedy.
The narrative has been adapted countless times for theatre, film, and TV, with the most recognisable being Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway performance, which ran from 1988 to 2023. While Joel’s Schumacher’s The Phantom of the Opera movie didn’t become a box office hit, it was a reminder of what fans loved about the enduring story.
A release date for Phantom has yet to be set.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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