Although he has not yet found his stars, director Joel Schumacher wants to begin shooting the long awaited film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage hit Phantom Of The Opera in London in October.
The filmmaker tells USA Today he wants the romantic leads to be in their 20s and he also wants a young Phantom, which could rule out John Travolta and Antonio Banderas, both of whom have been mentioned as candidates for the role.
“The Phantom has to be limber enough to fly around the stage,” said Schumacher, who has already hired his production designer, costume designer, musical director and conductor.
The Phantom of the Opera film is scheduled to be released at Christmas 2004.