Another Kristen to play Glinda on Film?

[Holbee]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:33pm

I've heard this twice now, have no idea if its true, but a friend of mine who works at CAA told me Kristen Bell has been approached to audition for the film version of "Wicked" as Glinda. My friend swears this is true (another friend had heard the same thing online). My CAA friend is less convinced about the rumor of Anne Hathaway as Elphaba however. She also said the director is Steven Spielberg, that he has owned the movie rights to the musical even before it even premiered in San Francisco.
Updated On: 8/20/08 at 10:33 PM

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:43pm

I don't believe Spielberg owns the rights to the movie its self, as it is Universal's property, but I do believe reading in the past that Spielberg was in early discussions for a film version of the novel before it was made into a musical instead.
I have heard no casting rumors so I can't comment there. I do think Kristin Bell would be a good choice though.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:48pm

[B3TA07]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:01pm

I think Speilburg's typical style would be great for a "Miss Saigon" film. Baz Luhrmann would work wonders directing "Sunset Boulevard."

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:11pm

I'm having a really hard time trying to visualize the end of 'Defying Gravity' not looking extremely cheesy on film, no matter how it's done.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:21pm

Can I just put my bid in right now for a potential director? I'm not saying he SHOULD do it...but at least be on a short list...

Tim Burton...

[Rotel1026]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:27pm

Not Burton again. If he directs, we'd wind up with Depp as Fiyero and Bonham Carter as Elphaba.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:29pm

Burton has said before that he dislikes musicals, but something about Sweeney Todd spoke to him.

I highly doubt he would direct WICKED.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:41pm

I vote that they don't make a movie. why promote this overrated commerical junk in Hollywood?? it's bad enough in New York. please.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:42pm

Actually, Kristen Bell would be more suited to play Elphaba. Her claim to fame in VERONICA MARS was based on the idea that she was the outcast, the anti-popular girl. She played the bubbly type very well in REEFER MADNESS but that was always with a wink to the audience. Her belt is probably not strong enough to sing the score as written, but if they lowered the keys and adjusted the score for her voice, she would act the hell out of the part.
On the other hand, Hathaway's soprano could make her a candidate for Glinda.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:47pm

Helena Bonham Carter wouldn't be bad as Morrible.

I don't understand why people always say they think Defying Gravity would look cheesy on film? I think they'd find a way to improve upon her shooting straight up in the air and flying with her broom in one hand above her head.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:01am

I could actually see the end of DEFYING GRAVITY as a pre- Margaret Hamilton thing when she flies out of her castle.
FLY, FLY, FLY.......!
Remember that scene?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:02am

According to a recent interview (like this past week) with Chenoweth, she very much wants to star in the film herself.

If they can't get her, I'd like to see Amy Adams in the role. She practically auditioned for it on Saturday Night Live.

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:08am

I want Kristen Bell to play Galinda so badly! She'd do an amazing job!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:10am

Link to this Chenoweth interview?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:18am

I still think any movie of WICKED is realistically 2-4 years off, so I doubt any names are being seriously attached to the project, but I can see Kristen Bell as Glinda.

I would say that Chenoweth and Menzel are too old now - and I'm pretty sure that stipulation in their contracts giving Chenoweth first refusal for a film will have well expired by any shooting date - but that said - after what happened with the movie of RENT - anythings possible

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:26am

Link to this Chenoweth interview?

Here's the thread where it was discussed.
Chenoweth interview

[gypsy4]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:34am

I don't know.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:47am

Kristen Bell would be a decent choice. I still hate this musical very much, but would love to see a screen adaption of it. And I agree Bonham-Carter as Morrible would be quite interesting.

Michael Bennett, if you're right (which I believe you are) that this project is still quite out there on the timeline...that might give Julianne Hough a fair crack to gain some (more) fame and play Glinda. She's STUNNINGLY gorgeous and quite bubbly.

For those asking "Who?"
Julianne Hough

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:52am

Michael Bennett, I believe the clause in Chenoweth's contract giving her first refusal accounted for a five year window of time between the Broadway opening of the show and the start of production on the film adaptation, so that would have it expiring this year.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 12:55am

Kristen may have the soprano chops for Glinda, but I'd have to hear her.


I know that she's kind of the anti-ingenue, but she may be able to pull it off. She's a good actress

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 1:02am

Tim Burton would actually be a very good directing choice. He could bring the film back to the darker tones of the book.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 1:02am

Kristen Bell is really cute, I would love for her to have the role.

[Boq101]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 1:04am

Chenoweth has to face the fact that on film she is going to look OLD.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 1:06am

I love Kristen, but I've never heard anything that would indicate that she could even remotely sing the role.