The following Guestbook entry is straight from an Antonio Banderas Fan.......
Antonio, are you listening?????

Record 73
Name: Genevieve
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From: Illinois
Time: 2000-09-07 03:56:53
Comments: I am a HUGE Antonio fan. I love him as Zorro. He is perfect for it -- he's charming, sexy, dashing, romantic, brave, and best of all, he has the Spanish accent Zorro needs. I predict the upcoming sequel will be even better as long as he's in it. Now Phantom is a different story. Yes, I think Antonio could act the part -- with those eyes! They're perfect Phantom eyes, so dark, mysterious, and burning. But that's all I can see that matches. Antonio can be mysterious, loving, and complex, but so can Michael. In this case, even speaking primarily as an Antonio fan, Michael has the advantage because not only can he act the part perfectly, but he has the Phantom's voice! He is the Phantom! He also has the look (aside from AB's eyes), the paleness, the longing face. I think Antonio's sexy accent, which is perfect for Zorro, would not do for the Phantom. Michael has played the part, knows it more than anyone, and is the original. I do enjoy Antonio's singing also, but I've never heard him sing as softly and as enticing as Michael does throughout Phantom (like in "Wandering Child..."). Strictly for Antonio and the Phantom's sake, please use common sense and hire the man you had planned since the beginning - Michael. The man lives and breathes Erik! He oozes Phantom! Don't ruin that for the next generations! I strongly think we should preserve the legend of the Phantom Michael Crawford in this movie now because he's not getting any younger. Antonio has many years left to make other interesting movies. He can do just fine WITHOUT having Phantom as one of his credits! Give it to the man who rightly deserves it! Michael! Antonio, why don't you focus on the Zorro character? I think you should sing a song on the soundtrack! Or, instead of the movie, go to Madrid and do a Spanish rendition of POTO on stage for your fans! Let Michael have the movie! Sincerely an Antonio and Phantom phan, GC