If you want a gothic musical that has stood the test of time, The Phantom of the Opera is most likely what comes to mind. Fans of the iconic story are in for a shock, though, as The Phantom of the Opera Movie adaptation has been confirmed, although it’s received quite an interesting twist.
Based on the 1909 novel by Gaston Leroux that tells the tragic story of a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious and disfigured musical genius living in the subterranean labyrinth beneath the Paris Opera House.
From the 1910 novel comes the musical that opened in London’s West End in 1986 and on Broadway in New York in 1988. There was even a film adaptation in 2004 by Joel Schumacher. The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show in Broadway history, which makes it even more shocking that news has confirmed it’s getting a Twilight twist.
That’s right, the beloved story is getting a YA movie reimagining. The project comes from Disney Branded Entertainment and Kenny Ortega, who has led two major Disney franchises with High School Musical and The Descendants.
According to Deadline, there’s a lot of hype behind this “bold contemporary reimagining” adaptation, which is written and directed by French filmmaker Alexandre Castagnetti, who promises Twilight-vibes.
The movie will center around 19-year-old ballerina Anastasia, a new dancer at Paris’ Opéra Garnier, which is haunted by the mysterious phantom of the opera. One night after meeting the phantom, Anastasia finds her life changed. The prima ballerina meant for the lead role in the ballet’s production of Orpheus suffers an accident, leading to Anastasia taking on the lead role.
Deva Cassel (The Leopard) will be playing the lead as Anastasia, with Julien De Saint-Jean (2024’s The Count of Monte Cristo) and Romain Duris (The Three Musketeers) starring alongside her. Ballet performers Guillaume Diop and Dorothée Gilbert are also set to star.
While it seems wrong to change the classics, this YA adaptation will encourage the younger generation to learn the story of The Phantom of the Opera, which will continue its legacy for being one of the most enchanting, gothic, and emotional stories.
The Phantom of the Opera movie adaptation is currently set to release on September 23, 2026, in France.