Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread — Page 70

degrassifan said: "Also, 6-10 minutes of this are probably credits, so the movie's runtime is probably actually 2 hours and 30 minutes."

That’s a relief it will only be one hour longer than it needs to be, instead of 70 minutes ;)

To be fair, the stage libretto is kind of a mess. It’s badly paced and the relationships are comically underdeveloped. Maybe expanding into two movies will be an improvement on the story and not just a shameless cash grab.

uncageg said: "I read the book right before the show opened and I saw it. It's been so long I don't remember where the end of Act 1 of the musical is in the book. I have been flipping through my copy trying to find it. Can anyone tell me? I would like to re-read it up to that point before seeing the movie."

The stage show is pretty loosely based on the novel, but Act 1 ends with the Gillikin section of the book.

I love the stage adaptation of Wicked despite its flaws. Its strength lies in the music—not the book. Relationships are grossly underdeveloped, and without the powerful score, those shortcomings would be even more apparent. There are also several bizarre plot holes that are never explained.

While we don’t know if the film adaptation will succeed in addressing these issues, there is significant potential to build relationships more fully in Part 1, making Part 2 even more touching and heartbreaking. I hope we witness the full evolution of Glinda and Elphaba’s relationship, from enemies to best friends. Additionally, there’s room to explore Elphaba’s growth from a misunderstood child to the college-aged version we meet in the stage show. I’m also excited at the possibility of seeing Elphaba’s bond with Nessa further developed.

If done well, I believe many will agree that splitting the story into two films was the right decision.

Have we gotten confirmation as to how many new songs are being added and if any existing numbers are cut? As it stands, act 1 of Wicked has 11 musical numbers, which over the course of an over 2.5 hour run time would mean there will be a lot of time without songs.

Updated On: 10/1/24 at 06:59 PM

MagicalMusical said: "Two things:

So is Elphaba like Snowden?!

Does anyone think Fiyero should have been Black like in the book? I don't think hehadto be Black, but I would have liked if he was, especially with the blue tattoos, too."

I actually expected a POC actor to be cast as Fiyero and I remember being shocked that it was Jonathan Bailey; however, Bailey is a great actor, and I've been told he's REALLY good in Wicked by a trusted friend who has seen it twice already.

degrassifan said: "Bailey is a great actor, and I've been told he's REALLY good in Wicked by a trusted friend who has seen it twice already."

What did your friend think of the rest of the movie?

degrassifan said: "Nothing official, but apparently no songsfrom Act One havebeen cut, and the new songs are allegedly for Act Two."

This was reported in this thread earlier this year. The new songs composed for Wicked Part 2 are:

Sometimes it's a sign that an actor really has the goods in an upcoming movie if the studio casts them in another movie before the first one is released: Bailey has been cast by Universal as the male lead of the new JURASSIC reboot, alongside Scarlett Johansson & Mahershala Ali. See also:

• Austin Butler cast in DUNE 2 before ELVIS came out (both Warner Bros)
• Rachel Zegler cast in SNOW WHITE before WEST SIDE came out (both Disney)
• Andrew Garfield cast as SPIDER MAN before SOCIAL NETWORK was released (both Sony)
• Rooney Mara cast in DRAGON TATTOO before SOCIAL NETWORK was released (both directed by David Fincher, produced by Scott Rudin, & released by Sony)
• Beanie was cast in DOLLY off the dailies for LADY BIRD (both produced by Rudin)

(Not that the dailies are the exclusive reason for their casting –– they likely had impressive auditions, too, and some of these folks had been working steadily for a while. But it's a way of "buying stock" in an actor before their asking price really rises.)

Updated On: 10/2/24 at 11:15 AM

Though Natalie Wood was an established star who had a nearly 20 year career by the time she did both Splendor in the Grass and West Side Story

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "degrassifan said: "Bailey is a great actor, and I've been told he's REALLY good in Wicked by a trusted friend who has seen it twice already."

What did your friend think of the rest of the movie?"

My friend is a big fan of Wicked and said they think if you're a fan of the show, you will love the movie. The real test is what people who know nothing about it will think. They also said it will make sense why it's split into two films once you've seen part one. Characters and plots have been expanded, and certain relationships have been delved into deeper. Dancing Through Life was a highlight for them.

Does anybody know about the film "This Little Light of Mine"? It is a powerful documentary that explores the life and legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer, a prominent civil rights activist and leader during the 1960s. The film captures her fight for racial equality and voting rights for Black Americans in the segregated South, showcasing her courage and determination in standing up against systemic oppression. Hamer's passion and resilience are highlighted through historical footage, personal stories, and her inspiring speeches, which continue to resonate today. The film serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for social justice and the importance of using one's voice to demand change.

Updated On: 11/1/24 at 06:27 AM