Disney+ orders new 'The Phantom of the Opera' film: Report
Disney+ is set to breathe new life into Gaston Leroux's classic gothic novel, The Phantom of the Opera, with a fresh adaptation aimed at young adults (YA), reported Deadline. This project is currently in its early stages of development under the direction of Kenny Ortega, known for his work on High School Musical and The Descendants franchises. The film will be produced by Disney Branded Entertainment.
'Phantom' will mark Ortega's return to Disney
The new project, titled Phantom, signifies Ortega's return to Disney after his stint with Netflix. He will be directing and executive producing the film under his production banner The KO Company. The script for Phantom was penned by Giovanni M Porta (At Midnight) based on a story by Porta and Eric Bromberg. Exile Content, a subsidiary of Candle Media that brought the package to Disney Branded Television, will also serve as an executive producer.
Original 'Phantom of the Opera' novel and its adaptations
The novel, set in the 1880s, narrates the tale of Erik—a disfigured musical genius living beneath the Paris Opera House. The story has been adapted into numerous films, including Universal Studios's 1925 silent adaptation and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical. In 2004, filmmaker Joel Schumacher adapted Webber's musical into a film featuring Gerard Butler, Patrick Wilson, Emmy Rossum, and Minnie Driver. Currently, it's unclear whether the new adaptation will emphasize the horror elements or will be turned into a franchise.
It has been adapted for YA audience before
This is not the first time The Phantom of the Opera has been adapted for a YA audience. In 2000, Disney Channel Original Movie released Phantom of the Megaplex, a film loosely based on Leroux's novel with significant changes to the original story. Notably, the setting was shifted from an opera house to a movie theater, among other alterations. Taylor Handley and Caitlin Wachs starred in it.
