<P> 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 Judas , but took over the role on Broadway and Los Angeles when Ben Vereen fell ill . Along with Dennen , Yvonne Elliman ( Mary Magdalene ) , and Bob Bingham ( Caiaphas ) reprised their Broadway roles in the film ( Elliman , like Dennen , had also appeared on the original concept album ) . Originally , Jewison wanted Ian Gillan , who played Jesus on the concept album , to reprise the role for the film , but Gillan turned down the offer , deciding that he would please fans more by touring with Deep Purple . The producers also considered Micky Dolenz ( from The Monkees ) and David Cassidy to play Jesus before deciding to go with Neeley . `` With the exception of Barry Dennen who played Pontius Pilate and Josh Mostel who played King Herod -- for everybody else , it was their first time on camera and first major motion picture . It was a learning process throughout . '' </P>
<P> 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 Judas , but took over the role on Broadway and Los Angeles when Ben Vereen fell ill . Along with Dennen , Yvonne Elliman ( Mary Magdalene ) , and Bob Bingham ( Caiaphas ) reprised their Broadway roles in the film ( Elliman , like Dennen , had also appeared on the original concept album ) . Originally , Jewison wanted Ian Gillan , who played Jesus on the concept album , to reprise the role for the film , but Gillan turned down the offer , deciding that he would please fans more by touring with Deep Purple . The producers also considered Micky Dolenz ( from The Monkees ) and David Cassidy to play Jesus before deciding to go with Neeley . `` With the exception of Barry Dennen who played Pontius Pilate and Josh Mostel who played King Herod -- for everybody else , it was their first time on camera and first major motion picture . It was a learning process throughout . '' </P>
who played jesus in the original jesus christ super star
who played jesus in the original jesus christ super star
Ted Neeley
Ted Neeley