And who keeps bumping these stupid threads?
I would be all for a film version of Wicked...but of the book, not the musical. I think the book would translate wonderfully on film but I don't think the musical would do the same.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
The musical version, however, is WAY more popular than the novel... and in Hollywood, quantity (aka... $$$$) comes before quality. If they make the musical a little darker, I think it could be better than the stage version. Who knows, really. At the risk of getting eaten, I vote Chris Columbus for director (I blame the script for the failure of the rent movie, not the director). As long as he doesn't pull that "Casting the originals" crap, he could do this musical some justice.
Wow. Who are you.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
And Jazzy was just eaten.
I'm actually asking, Who are you? Your signature is a shrine. To yourself. Wait, what?
Sorry but your comment about the "Wicked" musical being SO popular is sickening. Is everyone here that narrow-minded? I'm honestly not sure why you all think the musical is something to the likes of a global idol (i.e. Michael Jackson)??
You do realize that the musical, itself, could never sell as a Hollywood blockbuster? I mean. It's not as widely known as you think. I hope you realize that; I really do.
Let's just put it this way. Look at West Side Story, it couldn't sell?
If Wicked is not that popular, it would've closed a long time ago. Look at it, it's played 6 years.
Reread my post. It had NOTHING to do with the musical on Broadway. It has to do with the feasibility of commercial success that comes with a "franchise" such as Wicked (the musical).
The musical, alone, is not popular enough to be a bankable Hollywood blockbuster. I promise you that.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
I'll start by saying that I don't exactly like Wicked all that much. I saw it on Broadway 2 years ago and was not impressed. The show didn't really do much for me.
It could just be the area I live in, but Wicked is EXTREMELY popular (and I live in the middle of nowhere). Every single time I mention anything musical theatre related to my piers, they ALWAYS bring up Wicked. Almost girl in my school has both "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" on their iPods. They all know Kristen and Idina. Pretty much everyone in the town that I live in knows what Wicked is, and is eagerly awaiting for a film. I live 4 hours away from Nashville, and when TPAC announced that Wicked was coming... it was literally the talk of town for days. Like I said, it could just be a local thing.
I think Wicked is very marketable as a film. The songs are popular, the Wizard of Oz is popular, it's family friendly. There's plenty of potential for success, IMO.
You're new to BWW, but with time you'll learn how cruel people on this board can be. Rather than having to defend myself every time someone got a little "personal attack-ish", I figured it would be nice to have kind comments tag along with every post to sorta remind both myself and the negative poster that for every mean thing said... a good thing is said, too. I've had that signature for so long, though... so I'll probably changing it to some show quote (or something along those lines) very soon.
If Phantom couldn't work without stars, Wicked can't either.
AllThatJazz - the popularity of the musical doesn't translate into Hollywood success. Sorry.
Featured Actor Joined: 10/5/03
If Phantom couldn't work without stars, Wicked can't either.
Well that is why I said that Patty Duke show play Madame Morrible.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
MusicSnob1,
You're correct. It could be the most popular musical in the world, but if the movie is poorly marketed and poorly made... then it will not be a success. Phantom of The Opera is among one of the most popular stage musicals ever produced, but look at how poorly marketed the film was. Hair was popular based on its songs alone, but look at how poorly made the film was. Despite not being a fan of Wicked, I think it can translate extremely well to the screen. Just like anything in film, it's GOOD if you do it right. Good is not the same thing as successful, though. With well done marketing and a good Cast and Crew... it can be a hit film. Again, Wicked won't be too hard to market (unless they hire a bunch of idiots) because it's already popular... but finding a good Cast/Crew is always a gamble.
Just my two cents.
Again, Wicked won't be too hard to market (unless they hire a bunch of idiots) because it's already popular... but finding a good Cast/Crew is always a gamble.
I disagree, I think this could bomb and bad if they rely on the fact that the musical is popular. "Theater popular" does not reflect on film at all, even if it hurts to admit it. To film people, stage popularity means nothing if they can't make a lot of money out of a show. I think this would be harder to sell than you think, if they don't know their real market and target.
Again, Wicked won't be too hard to market (unless they hire a bunch of idiots) because it's already popular...
I agree with Blaxx. That was the mistake the marketing teams behind the Phantom, The Producers, and Rent films made. They thought because their respective Broadway shows were so popular, the films would market themselves. In the case of Phantom and Rent they assumed that since the fan base of both shows were so large, they would naturally make a killing at the box office. Neither one did (although I think Phantom did perform modestly at the box office). Just because something's popular on Broadway does not necessarily mean that popularity will transfer to film.
I agree with Blaxx and James. That's basically what I was trying to say. You're naive and dumb if you actually think a "popular" musical automatically makes a "popular" movie.
Hollywood is an entirely different beast, my theatre friends. Go visit L.A. sometime soon! Oy.
This thread is gross.
omgzz, obc totess for the movieee. kristin+idina fuhevaaa.
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