After more than 16 years on Broadway, it seemed obvious that the musical would be coming to the big screen. Since 2012, the media have been talking about a film adaptation of the musical. Universal Studios announced that Wicked would be made into a film in 2015 but without ever seeing the project succeed. Today we have more news on the Wicked movie who has finally found his director and which will be in cinemas by the end of 2021!
Directors and plot twists
Ever since 2015, Stephen Daldry was planned to be the director of the anticipated Wickedmovie. We owe him the film Billy Elliot, which later inspired the stage version. But in October 2020, Stephen Daldry left the project because it took a faster turn than expected and led to scheduling conflicts.
It is finally the director Jon M. Chu who joins the film Wicked movie. Recently, he directed Crazy Rich Asians and the adaptation of the musical in the heights set to hit theaters in the summer of 2021.
Some changes compared to the stage version
Stephen Schwartz, composer, and Minnie Holzmann, librettist, will adapt their musicals for the big screen. They announced in 2017 that the movie would include 2 new songs.
When Jon M. Chu joined the adventure, he asked on his Twitter account "who should we cast?" Or, "who should we choose?" ". The Twittosphere did not take long to react and suggest the actresses of the show! On Broadway, hundreds of talented actresses have followed one another in the roles of Glinda and Elphaba: Idina Menzel, Megan Hilty, Shoshana Bean, Carrie St Louis and many more! For the moment, all avenues are being considered.
As for a release date, the film is slated to hit theaters in December 2021, right on time for Christmas.
Wicked, What is that ?
The musical Wicked is an adaptation of the book by Gregory Maguire. Itself inspired by the movie The Wizard of Oz, Wicked imagine the lives of the witches of Oz, Elphaba, the green-skinned “Wicked Witch” and Glinda, the beautiful and popular “Good Witch”. For a full summary of the musical, click here!
The musical has already been seen by more than 60 million spectators and has won hundreds of awards internationally. Wicked has a big place in American pop culture and is often referenced in movies and songs and series.
We can't wait to see the film on the big screen and for this musical to be made more accessible around the world.