Andrew Lloyd Webber bets again on ‘Phantom’ sequel

NEW YORK — Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera” was called “Love Never Dies.” Defying its title, it had a short life. Now he hopes it can be resurrected.

The composer helped rework the musical for a stage production currently in Australia and anyone unable to go Down Under will have a chance to see it when a filmed version hits movie theaters this month.

Lloyd Webber hopes the movie — available at hundreds of cinemas across the U.S. on Feb. 28 and March 7 — will spark new interest, maybe from Broadway.

A new life for “Love Never Dies” would be a vindication for Lloyd Webber, who considers it to be his best score, but who was distracted by battling cancer when it opened in London in 2010.