8 Reasons Why Rian Johnson Should Direct Phantom Of The Opera

Johnson has a rich history of writing compelling antagonists.

In Looper, Bruce Willis' Old Joe was empathetic and deeply troubled, to the point that audiences felt for him even as he was trying to kill a child. In The Last Jedi, Johnson excelled at making Ben Solo a relatable antagonist, even as his character arc got increasingly complex.

This kind of writing is exactly what the Phantom himself needs. He is a villain, but he's much more than simple mustache-twirler. He commits awful crimes but it is vital to the success of the story that the audience cares for him even as he does so. Christine may be the protagonist, but Phantom is the star of the show.

And at the end of the day, the audience has to feel for him just as much as they do for Christine. That's why the ending of the show has garnered such acclaim over the decades, because the best incarnations of it make viewers feel the tragedy of their relationship crumbling on both sides.