SHORT TAKES : ‘Phantom’ Movie Deal Struck; Crawford, Brightman to Star

Warner Bros. announced today it has reached an agreement with Andrew Lloyd Webber to produce a film based on his hit musical “Phantom of the Opera.”

The movie, scheduled to begin shooting later this year with Michael Crawford reprising his Tony award-winning role, is expected to be in theaters by Thanksgiving 1991.

The announcement brings to reality a long-held dream of Lloyd Webber, who has enjoyed huge financial success in the theater but has never succeeded in crossing over into the film industry.

Co-produced by Lloyd Webber and Warner Bros., the film version of the hit musical, which opened in London in 1986, will feature Crawford and his original co-star, Sarah Brightman, Lloyd Webber’s wife, in the roles of the Phantom and Christine.

Joel Schumacher, who directed “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “The Lost Boys,” has been tapped as director of the film with Britain’s well-known Sir Kenneth MacMillan assigned as choreographer.