Complex sentence: He felt that Minnelli, a more established film actress, would be better suited for the role, but Rice, Stigwood and Paramount wanted Elaine Paige, the first actress to play Eva in the London stage production.
Split into simpler sentences: He felt that Minnelli, a more established film actress, would be better suited for the role. But Rice, Stigwood and Paramount wanted Elaine Paige, the first actress to play Eva in the London stage production.