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
Superstar (Jesus Christ Superstar song) It is dominated by repeated apologies for asking these questions ("Don't you get me wrong", "I only want to know"). Jesus does not respond to any of the questions. "Superstar" was released as a single in 1969, before the album was completed. Sung by Murray Head with the Trinidad Singers, it initially debuted on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100 singles chart for the week ending 31 January 1970, eventually peaking at No. 74 in late February 1970. Nearly one year later, the single then re-entered the Hot 100 chart for the week ending 2 January 1971, eventually peaking at No.