Phantom of the Opera 6 part mini series
I almost wrote this newsletter this morning but the
day became busy. Now that it is the evening I am informing you of more book
related news. “Phantom of the Opera,” by Gaston Leroux (not the Disney villain)
is getting a six part mini-series. According
to Deadline The project is being led out
of Gaumont’s UK unit, which is working with writer Anthony Horowitz to
reimagine Leroux’s gothic story about a disfigured composer, who lives in the
depths of the Paris Opera House and falls for singer Christine Daae with tragic
consequences.
Some people might ask me, “Haven’t they made a
Phantom of the Opera movie already?” I will respond with yes they have. There
was a 1925 silent film version of Phantom of the Opera. In 2004 there was a
Phantom of the Opera movie starring Gerard Butler as the Phantom and Emmy
Rossum as Christine Daae and Patrick Wilson as Raoul, though the 2004 movie was
based on Andrew Lloyd Webbers musical. I’m not sure how close the musical and
the book are. I definitely want to read the book because I’m a book lover of
course and I want to expand my reading horizons.
Knowing that this is a joint project between England
and France doing this miniseries has me excited because they are more likely to
follow books very well, rather than Hollywood butchering the story. It was also
confirmed in the Deadline article that it would stay closer to Gaston Leroux’s
1910 novel. I’m sure PBS will get the rights to air it over here in the United
States after it airs in England first. I will update you all once I know more.
I hope this has Phantom of the Opera fans excited, I know I’m already excited!