WICKED - The Film?- Page 2

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/28/06 at 11:56pm

Chenoweth has a holding agreement in her initial stage contract of WICKED giving her first refusal on the film - however, that is a limited stipulation and will run out before the film is made. I have no idea what Menzel's original contract entailed but I doubt she was able to pull that clout. Even if they are the biggest movie stars in the world in four or five years, the simple reality is that both Chenoweth and Menzel will be too old for the roles.

After what Chris Columbus did with RENT, I will never again say Broadway leads like these will never be repeating their performances in the film - but I don't believe it is anybody at Universal Pictures' intention at this time to actually make a movie of WICKED without bona fide movie stars in the leads.

Insurance and bonding are not major issues that govern casting, unless you are trying to cast somebody like Whitney Houston or Liza Minnelli.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:00am

cooperross - Is that the actual "The Apple Tree" logo as your avatar?

[actor]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:03am

IF the movie is made, I suspect that the story, effects, and songs will be changed. I suspect that it will play out more as a prequel and less as a seperate adventure that eventually collides with the known story. Also, I suspect it will follow the movie's storyline more closely if it chooses to go that far into Wicked's plot. As far as effects, I'm guessing that "Defying Gravity" will be extremely different. I doubt they will make it like the musical at all. In terms of the songs, I wonder if they will cut out some songs to save time and replace them with dialogue. That seems more logical.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:08am

They aren't going to try to duplicate the style of the MGM film - they can't - they don't own the rights. Expect it to be more Harry Potter - more "Steven Spielberg."

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:43am

it would be a good idea to make a movie , in a way
but it would just take away the feeling of seeing it live
and i think it would awesome if they would get some of the OBC to make the movie ,,, like they did with RENT .

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:47pm

Michael Bennett, both Menzel and Chenoweth had clauses in their contracts that gave them first rights to the film if it was produced five years from the opening of the stage production (so anytime between 2003 and 2007.) The movie isn't going to be made until after that window of time ANYWAY, so expect the producers to let these options run out and cast the lead roles with big movie stars.

Idina and Krisin playing college students on stage is one thing, but on film is a COMPLETELY different story.

Updated On: 10/29/06 at 01:47 PM

[AudreyTwoTwo]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:52pm

I love the Anne Hathaway and Reese Witherspoon idea. :)

But what about Fiyero?

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 2:16pm