The Movie That Almost Was...........

The Phantom of the Opera Movie History 1990 through 1992

or

How to Really Ruin a Fan's Day.......

The Campaign acquired an original issue of The Hollywood Reporter dated Thursday, May 10, 1990.  By this trade announcement it is clear that it was not always Lord Lloyd-Webber's intent to cast a Hollywood actor in the movie role.  It also appears that Warner Bros. was more than willing to use Michael Crawford, the original Tony Award-winning Phantom in their film version. 

Inside were the original ads, still intact, "proudly" announcing the new Warner Bros. picture The Phantom of the Opera to be released in 1991.

In 1990, Mark Canton, then Executive VP of Warner Bros. Inc. worldwide motion picture production, said, "All of us at Warner Bros. are thrilled that we are the studio which will bring "The Phantom," an international stage phenomenon, to the screen. We are also delighted that by working with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, the integrity of the original will be carefully maintained…"

This film was apparently ready to go and almost a reality.  Read here three articles from this time frame, one an interview with the director himself, Joel Schumacher.

It gets worse.  There was also a script from 1990.  Portions in it vary from the original play in certain scenes.  It does attempt to stay true to Lloyd Webber's original work, and for the most part the musical composition remained intact.  From all accounts in recent media this may no longer be Andrew Lloyd Webber's intentions at the present time for the movie.  

How about video?  Here is one that proves further how close Michael Crawford came to starring in this film........

Andrew Lloyd Webber on the
Johnny Carson Show 1990

Feeling cheated?  We certainly are.  The Really Useful Group and Warner Bros. Pictures have received thousands upon thousands of letters and petitions from Phantom fans all over the world for more than four years.  These fans have worked very hard to make their voices heard and their concerns known about this upcoming film to the companies involved.  This web site and the history of their efforts will remain here for all to read in the future.  No matter how this movie is now made, the fans will not be silenced..........

Warner Bros.
The Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign received the following letter from your company dated March 22, 2000.  In it you state that you "are aware of the strong personal attachment "Phantom of the Opera" fans feel toward Michael Crawford in the lead role.  This phenomenon has accounted for much of its success on stage and we're sure this will be taken into account when the decision is made." 
We certainly hope so.
There was a promise made in 1990 to the fans........
Keep your promise and cast Michael Crawford as the Phantom in the film version of
The Phantom of the Opera.

Addendum:

Will Ben Elton and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Deliver the Dream?