The Writers’ Preface
In
the year 1990, a movie adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical The
Phantom of the Opera was to be made by Warner Brothers Studios.
Original stage stars Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman were set to reprise their
roles on the big screen, Joel Schumacher was to direct, and the Chebanne screenplay was,
for the most part, true to the original. The movie was in pre-production when it
came to a halt due to Lloyd Webber's divorce of then-wife Sarah.
In
2000, it was released to the press that there was a new screenplay written for the movie
version by comedian Ben Elton (who had written lyrics for Lloyd Webber’s
not-so-successful musical The Beautiful Game). In later
interviews, it was made clear that many of the original songs were being cut, a couple of
new ones added, a lot of spoken dialogue
inserted, and the entire story modified to an almost unrecognizable degree to be more like
the 1925 film The Phantom of the Opera than the 1986 hit
musical. It was eventually rejected by
Warner Bros. without a script, once again.
The
members of various Phantom of the Opera "phan" organizations, including The
Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign (TMCPMC) were furious. Therefore, in the
summer of 2001, two young members of TMCPMC decided to take on the noble task of writing a
screenplay which stayed true to the original, yet was modified just enough to translate
well to film. They were forever helped out with endless information and advice,
scene advisement (particularly in the “Graveyard” scene) and certain scene
contributions (particularly in “Point of No Return.”) We also have used
several ideas introduced on the TMCPMC webboard by various members of the campaign.
The lyrics used were taken from the modern libretto of the stage musical, with the
exception of the Graveyard scene, along with a few smaller instances, in which the
original ones were strongly preferred. The
song “Prima Donna” has been simplified also, according to the modifications made
in the vocal selections music book from Hal Leonard Publishing, to better accommodate
cinematic restrictions, along with the slight modifying of the scene. A few parts of this screenplay were also borrowed
from the original screenplay written in 1990. Also, certain cinematic references have been
made to other films, notably the movie Labyrinth, produced and
directed by the late Jim Henson, and certain scenes have been written “in
homage” to the original 1925 film version of The Phantom of the Opera,
which Michael Crawford watched while preparing himself for the role of his career.
This
new screenplay was made with the idea that a suitable cast, including the original
Phantom, Michael Crawford, would star. We hope we have accomplished what we set out
to do.
Jacob
A. (“Jake”) Davis
Claire
(“Clarisse”) Camaclang
_______________________
October,
2001
This screenplay is dedicated to the memory of the late Steve Barton, Mary Millar, and all other past members of the Phantom cast who are no longer with us. It is also dedicated to the people killed in the World Trade Center/Pentagon attacks on September 11, 2001. May all their souls be at rest.
Prologue- The Stage of the Paris Opera/Overture; Rehearsals for "Hannibal" byChalmeau
The Gala Night:Christine's gala night; after the gala; and her dressing room
The Lair: POTO; MOTN; The next morning scenes
Meg's Discovery and Backstage; Notes I; Prima Donna
Il Muto and the Disaster; The Roof of The Opera House
In the Cellars: Mme. Giry's Story; Notes II
Before the Performance/ Don Juan Triumphant
Final Lair: "Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer..."
