Wicked is one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, so fans will have high expectations for the film version.
Here’s what we know about the project so far.
It will be directed by Jon M. Chu
It’s been announced that Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu will take the helm of the film after original director Stephen Daldry stepped away from the project last year.
Daldry, who has directed a number of Broadway and West End shows, left the project because the studio wanted the movie mounted more quickly than the director was comfortable moving, according to Deadline.
Chu’s appointment comes ahead of the release of his latest project In the Heights, a musical drama based on a 2007 stage musical by Quiara Alegria Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda. In the Heights is set to be released in June this year.
“Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap…”#WickedMovie @UniversalPics #StephenSchwartz #WinnieHolzman #MarcPlatt it’s time.
So… Twitterverse, who should we cast? pic.twitter.com/ZaAeAJTq9f— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) February 2, 2021
Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman are writing the screenplay
Original Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz and musical book writer Winnie Holzman are adapting the screenplay. The stage show was based on Gregory Maguire’s unauthorized 1995 prequel novel to The Wizard of Oz.
Marc Platt is producing the film
Marc Platt, who was a producer on the musical and produced La La Land, will produce the adaptation.
A film adaptation has been on the cards for more than a decade
The process to adapt the musical in a film started more than 10 years ago. In 2012, producer Platt said conversations were commencing but that the movie was “still a ways away”.
“I would expect in the near future to begin the process of development,” he said. “There will be a movie.”
The release date has been pushed back indefinitely
Wicked was removed from Universal’s release calendar due to COVID-19 causing delays for the project. It was most recently slated to be released December 22 2021, and a new release date has not been announced.
No casting has been announced yet
The project has not yet been cast, but fans will no doubt be hoping for star power in the film adaptation. The original Broadway production starred Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who were each nominated for Tony Awards for their performances. Menzel took home the Best Actress in a Musical award.