Phantom of the Opera

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I've seen this movie so many times that I have spent the DVD  smiley-angry017

www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/12/08/gerard_butler_the_phantom_of_the_opera_interview.shtml
After treading the boards in countless plays, Gerard Butler took roles in dubious movies like Reign Of Fire, Lara Croft: The Cradle Of Life and Richard Donner's Timeline. Recently though, he scored a critical hit with upcoming Scottish drama Dear Frankie although box office success still eludes him. This time he tries something completely different, playing a masked madman in Joel Schumacher's adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical The Phantom Of The Opera.

You haven't had much experience in musicals so it seems strange that you should be cast in this...

When Joel [Schumacher] called my agent and asked if I could sing, even he wasn't sure about it. He knew that I could sing but not if I could handle something like this. I was dubious myself as to why they were considering me for The Phantom until I read the script and then I could completely understand why he came to me and why I would want to play it. I read it as I was listening to the music and to me it was a major experience because I felt I had to tell this guy's story. Without sounding pretentious, I felt his soul - all his passion and his hopes and frustrations and, in the end, his tragedy. It was like it was happening to me and I judge whether or not to do a part based on how easily I slip into it while reading the script.

With your lack of singing experience, did you have some trepidation about taking this on?

Yes and no. I have a level of fear going into every project and that's what keeps me going. If I'm being honest it was a much higher level of fear with this than most other things because it was a musical. But I've done a whole bunch of movies where I've come in as the underdog but I have the tools and experience to deal with. Basically you've juts got to use the pressure to make yourself work harder.

Did you have to do a lot of vocal training to prepare?

Yeah, I started singing for The Phantom in January and we started filming in October and I sang all the way through to the next June. In fact I was singing for about two months before I even knew I had the role because they pretty much said: "This role's yours but we just can't say it yet but you've got to train as if it's yours." That's a weird position to be in because I didn't know if they were then going to turn around and say that somebody else had the role but still I sang every day with my own musical teacher. When I went to Scotland to do another movie I would sing with a coach up there and then when I went to New York I sang with a coach over there - I mean I've now sung with coaches in LA, New York, London, Glasgow, St Louis and Rio de Janeiro! I felt like retiring after The Phantom.

Did acting behind a mask also present a challenge for you?

Yeah, but it's something you get used to. Again you use it like a tool to help you become the character. There's a reason he has the mask and you make his reason your reason. Also you have to understand the advantages of that mask insomuch as it's something to hide behind and it's also a very powerful thing to behold. He understands that because he wants to present the most intimidating and sexy exterior he can. At first it was a bit strange and daunting to have to wear a mask but afterwards I came to enjoy it. In warm conditions though it started to slip off my face. Other times they used this double-sided sticky tape and I literally couldn't get it off my face. I would feel like I was ripping my face off and I had a lot of cuts and bruises because of it - huge red marks. People might think it was method acting.

Did you find singing the dialogue rather unnatural?

This movie was such a steep learning curve for me because I had never done that before - singing while trying to give a cinematic performance. The temptation is to open your mouth and belt it out and do something theatrical which would just be ghastly because every time you open your mouth it's 30ft wide on a big screen. Therefore I had to learn devices and ways of keeping it subtle and truthful. Sometimes that would mean that I would barely be singing or I would be much more concentrated on the feeling of what he was going through. I was always focused on that actually because that is the power of cinema - the eyes of The Phantom could say so much more.

6 Ways Gerard Butler was an Unexpectedly Good 'Phantom of the Opera'





Ten years ago, when I was in 8th grade, my guilt ridden chorus teacher bought us the Phantom of the Opera movie as a peace offering. It was in lieu of our class trip to Broadway, that was unceremoniously canceled for no apparent reason at all (still bitter about it). Like all insufferable 13-year-olds, we sat there, arms crossed, eyes rolled as he slid in the DVD and hid in the corner in fear of having sidekick phones, fanny packs, and Kangol hats being pelted at him. But thankfully, no awful, early 2000’s fashion abuse befell him because as it turned out, we were all enthralled by the musical. Who knew that a version of Phantom of the Opera, starring Gerard Butler of all people, would captivate a bunch of millennial tweens?



Now, I mention Butler not because no other notable people starred. The movie featured the likes of Patrick Wilson, Emmy Rossum, and Minnie Driver. I mention him particularly because he was made in the likeness of the non-Tom Selleck looking Brawny paper towel man. It was certainly a bizarre casting choice, that may have had a lot to do of being instantly smitten and caffeine riddled, but it was one that actually worked. So now, on the movie’s tenth anniversary, here are all the legitimate reasons why Butler was an unexpectedly good phantom:

The Uncovered Side of the Phantom’s Face? Smokin’


Like, COME ON.



He Brought a Surprising Vulnerability to the Role Despite Being a Burly Hunk of Man



Exhibit B:



Here’s my written apology for the PTSD this GIF of PS I Love You may have caused.

His Singing was Raw and Emotional


All about keepin’ it real.


His Unidentified Accent Made the Exhaustive Use of the Name “Christine” Seem Less Nauseating


Was it Scottish? Was it French? Scrench? Frottish?

5. He did his damnedest to bring an extra, less creepy dimension to one of the creepiest characters to ever exist…ever


Still creepy though. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

TBH, he Scared the *Bleep* Outta Me — As the Phantom Should






A red peacoat was never more terrifying.



Kudos, Butler. You can sing to me any time.

Video courtesy of skosh0297

They really should have put this in.  If they were worried than it would lead people to sympathize with the Phantom.... well, those of us that are hooked are already rooting for him.  Of course it has nothing to do with Gerry right   smiley-laughing024  ok, maybe I'm just a little partial.  But it is such a great song and sung by our man getsmiley 

You know I have a big screen tv so I think I will make some popcorn and watch this again. People comment on him not being popular, well this week 300, Gamer, Mavericks and MGP were on tv. I think since it is still cold here in WNY, I think I will have a night with Gerry, can't think of anything better.

You know Maggiea, I feel blessed with what I have now because there were times I didn't have two nickels to rub together. So I don't want to sound like I am boasting about the tv. GOD has blessed me in so many ways.  Thanks, small screen or big screen his manliness will always shine through.  I haven't watched it for a long time so it will be a pleasure to visit it again.