Rachel Zegler Reportedly Considered for Disney+ PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Adaptation
Disney+ is developing a fresh adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, and the project might have its eye on a star.
According to industry scooper MTTSH, Rachel Zegler, known for West Side Story, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and Disney’s upcoming Snow White, is reportedly being considered to play Christine, the young soprano who captivates the enigmatic Opera Ghost.
Whether Zegler is actively in talks or simply on the studio’s wishlist remains unclear. I’m not sure if this is true, but after all the headaches that Zegler has caused Disney with her Snow White movie, it’d be interesting to see them want to continue to work with her.
The new film is titled Phantom, and this new take on Gaston Leroux’s classic novel is being directed by Kenny Ortega, whose previous Disney projects include the High School Musical and Descendants franchises.
Ortega will direct and executive produce, potentially bringing his signature blend of theatricality and youth-focused storytelling to the adaptation.
The plot appears to remain faithful to the source material, centering on Erik, a disfigured musical genius who lives in the shadows beneath the Paris Opera House. His obsession with Christine drives him to manipulate events in her favor, elevating her to stardom while keeping his true identity hidden.
Over the years, The Phantom of the Opera has been reimagined in many forms. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic Broadway musical ran for 35 years, from 1988 to 2023, becoming one of the most celebrated productions in theater history.
Other notable adaptations include the 1989 horror-tinged version starring Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Joel Schumacher’s lush 2004 film featuring Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, and Patrick Wilson.
Zegler is a talented singer and actress, and if she lands the role, her vocal talent and on-screen charisma could bring a fresh dynamic to Christine. She has plenty of experience with musical roles, having appeared in numerous theater productions prior to landing the part of Maria in Stephen Spielberg's West Side Story.
She also starred The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which I liked her in. She’s just very vocal about her thoughts on certain things and some of her comments have gotten people riled up.