Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread- Page 92

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:16pm

Jonathan Cohen said: "ACL2006 said: "There hasn't been a movie musical that got this much praise and strong reviews since Chicago. It's been that long unfortunately. So many fell just short (The Color Purple, West Side Story, Les Mis, Hairspray). And there's been plenty of flops(Rent, Jersey Boys, Dear Evan Hansen, In The Heights, Footloose, Rock of Ages, Phantom, The Producers)."

La La Land won 6 Oscars, not even counting the one it only won for 5 minutes. It made$472 million in theaters against a $30 million dollar budget. Plus Disney animated movie musicals like Moana andEncanto are extremely critically acclaimed.

There arebeloved movie musicals in the recent past, just less so with the stage to screen adaptations."

Can you imagine if the cinematography was half as good as La La Land's?

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:18pm

rg7759 said: "
Can they fix the color before this is released?"


I wish they could fix the lighting. I have no idea why you’d shoot “The Wizard and I” in flat, whitelighting. Imagine if that song had been shot while the sun was going down at Shiz, with a sky of purples and oranges and pinks? Instead she runs out into a washed out field of bone dry hay and an overcast sky. Missed opportunity."

Imagine how we would have ripped it to shreds for wizard and I having the same exact lighting as defying gravity. This is seriously what people are complaining about?

Just out of sheer boredom?"

No, we just know what it could have been from a technical standpoint. It's a near perfect film, but the technical shortcomings are plenty and are why it won't get the kind of awards love it could have. Look at the color in the behind the scenes specials from Dancing Through Life and other clips and then watch clips from La La Land and tell me you don't see a difference in the lighting and colors.

[rg7759]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:25pm

The point I'd people love to complain, even if you loved it. Like you had a whole year of complaints in a jar ready to unleash this weekend, and are almost disappointed that you can't use all of them.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:27pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "Thanks, Ermengarde and AEA. That is interesting to read. I wonder what the Daldry version would have been like, but oh well, it all worked out eventually."

I have to imagine the Daldry version would have been a little more self-serious & less fun. And one part.

Daldry's career is funny, it seems like he really wants his populist younger-skewing franchise project ($$$$$$).

• He was slowly developing WICKED for years
• He was in talks to replace Alex Timbers as director of FROZEN, but then that job went to a different middle-aged Brit man (Grandage)
• He was attached to a Star Wars movie that didn't happen but he got a producer credit on the Obi Wan TV show)
• Now he finally seems to have his young people's franchise moment with the STRANGER THINGS play. And he's certainly made plenty off THE CROWN too.

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:32pm

rg7759 said: "The point I'd people love to complain, even if you loved it. Like you had a whole year of complaints in a jar ready to unleash this weekend, and are almost disappointed that you can't use all of them."

For the record, I LOVED the movie. As a fan of the technical aspects of film, I wanted more.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:37pm

rg7759 said: "The point I'd people love to complain, even if you loved it. Like you had a whole year of complaints in a jar ready to unleash this weekend, and are almost disappointed that you can't use all of them."


You’re actually the only one complaining. The rest of us are offering our opinions. It’s a discussion board.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:46pm

rg7759 said: "The point I'd people love to complain, even if you loved it. Like you had a whole year of complaints in a jar ready to unleash this weekend, and are almost disappointed that you can't use all of them."

Sounds like you've had this paragraph in a jar for a year to unleash this weekend and did just so because you're referring to situation that isn't happening in this thread...

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:50pm

Jonathan Cohen said: "La La Land won 6 Oscars, not even counting the one it only won for 5 minutes. It made$472 million in theaters against a $30 million dollar budget. Plus Disney animated movie musicals like Moana andEncanto are extremely critically acclaimed.

There arebeloved movie musicals in the recent past, just less so with the stage to screen adaptations."

That you're able to point to La La Land as an exception and Disney Animated Musicals really shows that Musicals DO face an uphill challenge of being taken seriously even when they are good. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 11:00pm

I thought the ‘whiteness’ of “The Wizard and I” was a wonderful contrast to the whole Emerald City act of the film. The Emerald City is all glitz and glamor, but it’s all a show. Elphabas arch in “The Wizard and I” is still hopeful that the Wizard will help her save the animals, it’s more subdued and authentic. I also thought it was interesting she ran through a thriving wheat field when, supposedly, the animals were the cause of droughts and decreased crop yields…

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 11:14pm

Elphaba is fantasizing about the wizard taking away her greenness, not helping her save the animals. She doesn’t even know they’re in danger yet. This is a classic “I want” song, and I think warmer visuals would have suited Cynthia’s performance much better than flat white light.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 11:27pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I also thought it was interesting she ran through a thrivingwheat field when, supposedly, the animals were the cause of droughts and decreased crop yields…"

Let's go back to this, we had a lot of extra time this movie. I think it really needed to expand on the problems Oz was having and how the animals are being used as Scapegoats (lol). It's one thing when you've got 90 minutes to get through the first act and be content, it's another when you have 2:40 for it and none of it is used to expand, just made more wordy.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 11:40pm

Just watched a second time. Add me to the list of folks who hates how they broke up Defying Gravity. The stares into the middle distance. The communion with her younger self. All beyond indulgent. The only emotion it stirred was annoyance.

 

But then I’d have cut half the songs and released it as one film so I’m not the target audience. I think the stage show needed pruning. Not expanding. 

[rg7759]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 11:43pm

TheatreFan4 said: "rg7759 said: "The point I'd people love to complain, even if you loved it. Like you had a whole year of complaints in a jar ready to unleash this weekend, and are almost disappointed that you can't use all of them."

Sounds like you've had this paragraph in a jar for a year to unleash this weekend and did just so because you're referring to situation that isn't happening in this thread..."

Clearly. Because the 1 happening here is on a 1st grade level. 

[Musical Master]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 11:45pm

Finally got to see it. Now I can be added to the growing choir of those who absolutely loved it! So many things from the acting, directing, writing, editing, musical numbers, costumes, production design, and yes, even cinematography (my theater had a really good projector in Dolby Atmos) were firing on all cylinders. This may join Chicago and the 2021 version of West Side Story as the best film adaptations of Broadway musicals of this current century; and something that other Hollywood studios should study and analyze if they want their future film musical adaptations even more than half of the power that Wicked has.

Everyone from Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode were great choices who excelled in their performances. But it was Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande who clearly stole the show for how not only their singing were utterly perfect, but their acting was what I called special and a wonder to behold. Their chemistry together was perfect, and I don't have any notes to give.

I would give this a rare 10 out of 10. The hype is real, and I hope it's properly recognized this awards season. Now here's to a long, but wonderful one year intermission.

Updated On: 11/25/24 at 11:45 PM

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 11:55pm

TheatreFan4 said: "That you're able to point to La La Land as an exception and Disney Animated Musicals really shows that Musicals DO face an uphill challenge of being taken seriously even when they are good."

I'm not sure I'd agree with that. In 93 years, 10 musicals have won Best Picture Oscars, with 46 musicals nominated. This year, it's looking increasingly likely that both Wicked and Emilia Pérez are going to Best Picture Oscar nominations (and Emilia Pérez isn't even good).  

Compared to a genre like comedy, where likely no comedies will get a Best Picture nomination this year, I think musicals are taken really seriously.  

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 11:59pm

rg7759 said: "Clearly. Because the 1 happening here is on a 1st grade level."

Do you know how to use your words? Could you initiate the discussion you want to be having? Like... what are you even asking for?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 12:06am

Jonathan Cohen said: "I'm not sureI'd agree with that.In 93 years, 10 musicals have won Best Picture Oscars, with 46 musicals nominated. This year, it's looking increasingly likely that both Wicked andEmilia Pérez are going to Best Picture Oscar nominations (and Emilia Pérez isn't even good).

Compared to a genre like comedy, where likely no comedies will get a Best Picture nomination this year, I think musicals are taken really seriously."

There has been exactly one Musical winning Best Picture on over 50 years and only a small handful of nominations in that time frame.

Also, comedies get plenty of love at the Oscars. Everything Everywhere All At Once, Parasite, etc. There's usually at least one nominated a year. Just last year American Fiction, Poor Things, Barbie. Anora is absolutely going to be nominated this year.

Updated On: 11/25/24 at 12:06 AM

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 12:37am

TheatreFan4 said: "There has been exactly one Musical winning Best Picture on over 50 years and only a small handful of nominations in that time frame.

Also, comedies get plenty of love at the Oscars. Everything Everywhere All At Once, Parasite, etc. There's usually at least one nominated a year. Just last year American Fiction, Poor Things, Barbie. Anora is absolutely going to be nominated this year."

Of those movies you're mentioning, I think only Barbie is a straightforward comedy, the rest are genre hybrids. For example, not only is Anora going to get nominated for Best Picture, I think it's going to win. However, as incredibly funny as it is in at times, without spoiling anything, comedies don't end with that type of final scene. 

But my larger point is proportional. By one estimation, between 1995 and 2023, 2,479 Comedies were released in the U.S. compared to 208 Musicals. Given the huge amount of comedies released and the comparatively low amount of Musicals, Comedies underperform in terms of awards recognition and Musicals proportional are doing pretty well.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 1:05am

Anora is a masterpiece and the best film of the year.

[RJ14]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 1:53am

I was the only person in the cinema chuckled at the Deer/Dear line. That was such a funny delivery.

And Jon M Chu deserves an Oscars for making Sentimental Man and Something Bad interesting to watch.

Updated On: 11/25/24 at 01:53 AM

[Musical Master]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 2:24am

RJ14 said: "I was the only person in the cinema chuckled at the Deer/Dear line. That was such a funny delivery.

And Jon M Chu deserves anOscars for making Sentimental Man and Something Bad interesting to watch."

That was the most surprising part of the movie for me. That Jon M. Chu actually took two of the weakest songs of the entire score and made the numbers not only interesting to watch, but also, dare I say. Investing?

This was one of the best movies of the year for me that will make the top 10 easy. And I can say with confidence that this has been a very good year for movies in general.

 

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 2:42am

I'm curious about salaries. Do agents negotiate a set fee plus royalties? Naturally this is a confidential amount but just per average.

How would Mr Schwartz negotiate? Is it per performance all around the world? This film? Do singers pay royalties when they sing one of his songs in concert?

I wonder if Judy Garland[Estate] is still getting royalties. I guess not and she was probably only paid a few thousand dollars.

Just curious. These star artists must be being paid a bundle for all this publicity they are doing.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 4:41am

'Wicked’ Box Office: All the Records the Movie Musical Shattered on Opening Weekend

 

https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/wicked-box-office-opening-weekend-records-1236222111/

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 7:28am

Fun Fact: the horse Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero) is riding on in the film is the same horse he rode on the series BRIDGERTON. Bailey requested the horse as they both established a connection during the filming of BRIDGERTON. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 7:41am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "The movie languished with Stephen Daldry signed on as director for years. Many release dates were announced and they came and went. Once Daldry left and Jon Chu came on, it was fast tracked. I got the impression that Universal and Marc Platt weren't in much of a hurry while the stage production was doing so well and everyone profiting from it. Universal's LES MIS had an even longer time between its stage premiere and film, and that film did quite well (WICKED will do better)."

When Winnie Holzman was interviewed by Julie James for SiriusXM On Broadway last year, she mentioned how they all knew fans wanted a movie, but none of the creatives were interested for a while. It wasn’t until about nearly a decade into the Broadway run when talks finally began. She also said that Stephen Daldry was their personal choice to direct, but after having been attached for several years, they all realized that he wasn't the right choice. As Stephen Schwartz is friends with Lin-Manuel Miranda, he got in touch with him in 2020 asking what it was like working with Jon M. Chu on In the Heights. Lin responded with “He's a good guy, he’s insanely collaborative, he loves musicals, and he dreams BIG.” Then he asked “Wait is this for Pippin or Wicked or what?” Schwartz then said “Thanks Lin, that’s very helpful.”

Cut to February 2nd, 2021, it was announced that Jon M. Chu took over as director. Lin texted Schwartz with "CHU for Wicked! How great!" He responded with "Well, you had something to do with that. Your recommendation, particularly as to how collaborative you found him to be, was influential. Also very positive things that Alex Lacamoire had to say. Also, I loved the In the Heights movie!"
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCm5qUkTYeS/?img_index=1

Updated On: 11/25/24 at 07:41 AM