The Phantom of the Opera is going back to its French roots—sort of. Deadline reports that a new, French language movie adaptation of the novel by Gaston Leroux is in the works from director Alexandre Castagnetti (Tamara, Mixte) and writer Camille Fontaine (Coco Before Chanel, Second Tour). This version, Deadline says, takes “its cue from the Twilight franchise.”
Okay, but what does that mean? Werewolves and vampires? Deadline quotes Ramy Nahas, of the production company SND, who says, “The film will mix themes and genres to create an ambitious romantic film set against the backdrop of Paris, with fantasy, period and thriller elements.” It is also Nahas who says that the production will look to the Twilight series for inspiration.
The movie already has its stars: Deva Cassel (the upcoming The Leopard), Julien De Saint Jean (The Count Of Monte Cristo) and Romain Duris (Heartbreaker, pictured above). Cassel plays young dancer Anastasia; Duris the artistic director of a company putting on a new version of Orpheus; and Saint Jean the titular phantom. Naturally, Anastasia will wind up playing the role of Eurydice.
Still unclear where Twilight comes in, except that the film is reportedly intended for a young adult audience. No release date has been announced.