John Legend is about to give Phantom of the Opera a modern twist. The “All of Me” singer has teamed with partner Mike Jackson and producer Harvey Mason Jr. to take the famous tale out of France and set it in New Orleans, Louisiana.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie’s working title is Phantom and the trio will produce the film for Universal Studios.
John and Mike have tapped their fellow partner at their Get Lifted Film Company, Ty Stiklorius, to executive produce.
The script was written by John Fusco, whose previous works include Crossroads, Hidalgo and The Highwaymen. The screenwriter says he wanted to set the classic 1910 Gaston Leroux novel — not the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical — in modern day New Orleans.
“I have long wanted to explore The Phantom of the Opera in a contemporary and new way and in a French Quarter setting,” he told THR. “New Orleans is not only known as America’s most haunted city, but the music, Creole culture, voodoo mystique and the pageantry of Mardi Gras, inspire a natural adaptation of the original Paris setting.”
A release date has not yet been announced. The movie will join Universal’s revival of its collection of black and white monster movies, such as The Mummy and The Wolf Man. Universal previously adapted the novel in 1925 as a black and white silent horror film, which went on to become a box office success at the time.
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Judge rules Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband owes her $2.6 million for “unlawfully” negotiating deals for her
December 1, 2023
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock in early 2020; David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty…
Music notes: Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo and more
December 1, 2023
Bowen Yang has nothing but nice words to say about Ariana Grande. The Saturday Night Live cast…
‘Home Alone’ star Macaulay Culkin honored during Walk of Fame ceremony
December 1, 2023
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesMacaulay Culkin received a Walk of Fame star this week. The actor, 43, who…
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joins ‘RoboForce: The Animated Series’
December 1, 2023
The Nacelle Company; ABC/Paula LoboDwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia's Seven Bucks Productions is…
Stephen Colbert getting back to ‘The Late Show Monday’ following appendix surgery
December 1, 2023
CBS/Mary Ellen MatthewsABC Audio has confirmed Stephen Colbert will be back behind the desk at The…
“Doja who?” was Dionne Warwick’s reaction to her song being sampled in “Paint the Town Red”
December 1, 2023
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversalDoja Cat's "Paint the Town Red" became her second number one a few months…
Jodie Foster on the how “amazing” it is acting in her 60s, mentoring and Marvel movies
December 1, 2023
Elyse Jankowski/FilmMagicJodie Foster's first Oscar nomination came at just 14 years old for her…
Reality Roundup: Rachel Leviss gets a podcast, ’90 Day Fiancé’ couple has a baby and more
December 1, 2023
Have no fear, your reality roundup is here! Here's a look at what happened in the world of reality…