Jesus Christ Superstar (film) who had played Jesus is missing. A shepherd and his flock cross the hillside beneath the empty cross ("John Nineteen Forty-One"). During filming of "Fiddler on the Roof", Barry Dennen, who played Pilate on the concept album, suggested to Norman Jewison that he should direct "Jesus Christ Superstar" as a film. After hearing the album, Jewison agreed. The cast consisted mostly of actors from the Broadway show, with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson starring as Jesus and Judas respectively. Neeley had played a reporter and a leper in the Broadway version, and understudied the role of Jesus. Likewise, Anderson understudied
Ted Neeley close friend Carl Anderson was touring also as a Judas understudy. Having also performed the title role in "Tommy" in Los Angeles, Neeley was led to reprise the title role in the film version of "Jesus Christ Superstar", directed by Norman Jewison, alongside Anderson as Judas. For his performance in the film, he received nominations for "Best Motion Picture Actor in a Musical or Comedy", as well as "Best Newcomer", at the 1974 Golden Globe Awards. In 1974, fresh from the success of "Superstar", Neeley released a solo album, "1974 A.D." (1974), and played the role of Billy Shears in