A WICKED Movie Could Happen By 2016
For those of you who aren't familiar, Wicked is the Broadway musical that tells a prequel story of The Wizard of Oz. I've seen the musical twice already with stars Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, and it’s a really great production. You should check it out if you ever get a chance. Of course, now it looks like everyone might get that chance in 2016. According to Into the Woods producer Marc Platt, it could be adapted for the big screen by that time.
Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliott, The Reader) is attached to direct the adaptation, which is currently being written by Winnie Holzman. While talking to Film Divider, Platt offered the following update:
“He’s [Daldry] been on for a year or two. But it’s in process. 2016 is the goal, but I don’t know whether we’ll make that goal or not. We will make the movie, but like I said, the bar is really high. We’re going to scrutinize our work on the screenplay and our prep on the movie, and when we feel like it’s ready, okay. We’re not going to shoot a release date is what I’m saying. It’s in the works, it’s not in a rush.
“[The] bar is very high for the creators of Wicked. Our show is still so strong everywhere, and we just set a record in both London and Edinburgh last week, and in Los Angeles, and we did on Broadway. Audiences enjoy that show so much that we are intending to move forward on the movie but aren't going to do so until we're satisfied in the material we have as a screenplay, and that the film will be every bit as satisfying as what we have on the stage."
Sounds like when the movie actually gets made, they are going to make it right. As a fan of the musical, that’s comforting to know. It will be interesting to see who they get to play the two lead witches. I might have to go with Lea Michele and Dianna Agron from Glee. What are some of your casting suggestions?