Wicked Movie Seeks New Director- Page 4

[Thelosertakesitall1997]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 9:34am

Making my predictions right now...

Director - Rob Marshall
Elphaba - Anna Kendrick
Glinda - Dove Cameron

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 9:53am

Oscar winner Lady Gaga has Elphaba in the bag. Even if it’s a few years down the road, she’ll still be a powerhouse name to bring in audiences, and not just fans of musicals. Universal wants WICKED: The Movie to make billions and Anna Kendrick is not only not vocally equipped to handle the material, she’s proven to be a great supporting actress not a lead actress. Her name is nowhere near the global superstar status of Lady Gaga, who vocally surpasses most of the ladies who’ve played the role on stage and her acting suits the material. This isn’t SOPHIE’S CHOICE level of acting required.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 10:36am

^ I would want them too. Dove and Anna i mean

Updated On: 1/31/21 at 10:36 AM

[South Florida]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 5:53pm

My girl was the best  Elphie ever. 

[jlindsey865]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 7:12pm

What are the chances of a director going the young Elphaba & Glinda/old Elphaba & Glinda route?

If a director did that, they could easily cast Idina and Kristen as the older versions of those characters. Both actresses are younger than Margaret Hamilton and Billie Burke played similar roles in the 1939 film.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 7:48pm

jlindsey865 said: "What are the chances of a director going the young Elphaba & Glinda/old Elphaba & Glinda route?

If a director did that, they could easily cast Idina and Kristen as the older versions of those characters. Both actresses are younger than Margaret Hamilton and Billie Burke played similar roles in the 1939 film."

I really don't think this will happen. The biggest songs (and by that I mean the most popular songs, not the best songs) for both characters are in the first part of the show.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 8:34pm

jlindsey865 said: "What are the chances of a director going the young Elphaba & Glinda/old Elphaba & Glinda route?

If a director did that, they could easily cast Idina and Kristen as the older versions of those characters. Both actresses are younger than Margaret Hamilton and Billie Burke played similar roles in the 1939 film."

I'd be surprised

[Globefan]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 9:55pm

jlindsey865 said: "What are the chances of a director going the young Elphaba & Glinda/old Elphaba & Glinda route?

If a director did that, they could easily cast Idina and Kristen as the older versions of those characters. Both actresses are younger than Margaret Hamilton and Billie Burke played similar roles in the 1939 film."

I wonder if it'll depend on the director. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 10:22pm

Clearly I’m not a film director, but I can’t think of any way to make “defying gravity” not cheesy on film.

And no to Anna. We need a belter. Find an unknown or cast a well known singer.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 10:43pm

jlindsey865 said: "What are the chances of a director going the young Elphaba & Glinda/old Elphaba & Glinda route?

If a director did that, they could easily cast Idina and Kristen as the older versions of those characters. Both actresses are younger than Margaret Hamilton and Billie Burke played similar roles in the 1939 film."

 

I was actually thinking about this earlier today when reading this thread. It's an odd situation, because you have to cast someone who can capture the gravitas and maturity of Act 2, but also look young enough to credibly pay college students. The "easy" solution is just to cast someone in their late 20s or early 30s, which is what they do onstage. But it's harder to buy onscreen. Obviously there's a long history in Hollywood of casting grown adults as teenagers, but in recent years, it feels like the industry has moved away from that practice. I guess that also raises the question: are Universities in this fictional land of Oz, the same as the ones here? Are most Freshman Undergrads at Shiz 18 years old? Maybe they start school later! Maybe it's standard practice to take multiple gap years. 

It also raises the question: how much time is actually supposed to have passed between Act 1 and Act 2? It's hard to tell because it's never explicitly stated onstage, and while the costuming makes them look somewhat more mature, the actors aren't actually aged up. It could easily just be 3 or 4 years, in which case there's no need to make the actors look all that different. And the fact that they appear older in The Wizard of Oz movie isn't really a deal-breaker, since it's ultimately a re-interpretation of this lore.

In any case, I doubt they'd go through the trouble of double-casting, mostly because it might be harder to attract bankable stars for only half of the big role. Or at the very least, they'd want they're bankable stars to be onscreen as much as possible. It's not out of the realm of possibility, but it doesn't seem worth it for an age-difference that's not too difficult to fudge. 

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 1/31/21 at 11:47pm

I would definitely prefer actors who look maybe a little long in the tooth for the college section if it means they can bring some more maturity and depth to the second half of the story. I cringe a little at the thought of teen-looking actors in the roles.

That being said, as fun as it is to dream cast, I won’t believe this movie is a go until cameras are rolling. Who knows who will be age appropriate when that happens.

[KMadd25]

Posted: 2/1/21 at 3:26pm

I would love to see Eva Noblezada as Elphaba and Dove Cameron as Glinda, but I'm guessing Eva isn't known by enough people outside the Broadway community for her to be cast.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/1/21 at 3:38pm

KMadd25 said: "I would love to see Eva Noblezada as Elphaba and Dove Cameron as Glinda, but I'm guessing Eva isn't known by enough people outside the Broadway community for her to be cast."

Enough people?  More like no one who doesn’t follow Broadway has any idea who she is.  Dove Cameron also has a niche following.  She’s isn’t a mainstream/globally recognized name.  Her audience is still very Disney Channel based even after many years.  

[missthemountains]

Posted: 2/1/21 at 3:52pm

NOWaWarning said: "I would definitely prefer actors who look maybe a little long in the tooth for the college section if it means they can bring some more maturity and depth to the second half of the story. I cringe a little at the thought of teen-looking actors in the roles.

That being said, as fun as it is to dream cast, I won’t believe this movie is a go until cameras are rolling. Who knows who will be age appropriate when that happens."

I think you're mostly on the money, but I tend to cringe way more at seeing older actors play younger than the other way around.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 2/1/21 at 4:03pm

missthemountains said: "NOWaWarning said: "I would definitely prefer actors who look maybe a little long in the tooth for the college section if it means they can bring some more maturity and depth to the second half of the story. I cringe a little at the thought of teen-looking actors in the roles.

That being said, as fun as it is to dream cast, I won’t believe this movie is a go until cameras are rolling. Who knows who will be age appropriate when that happens."

I think you're mostly on the money, but I tend to cringe way more at seeing older actors play younger than the other way around."

True. I think it just depends. The idea of seeing someone who reads as mid to late 20s playing college aged in what is already a fantasy doesn’t bother me. Especially since the story takes place over some time and they have to read as more adult by the end. I don’t think that would be as cringe-inducing as, say, the Rent movie.

[jlindsey865]

Posted: 2/1/21 at 10:31pm

I completely agree that “Defying Gravity” could easily look incredibly corny if the production team attempts to structure it the same way it is on stage. In fact, I think in order for this to be a successful adaption of the stage show, many things are going to have to be reimagined (just like with all movie musicals based on stage shows).

Many aspects of the stage show do lend themselves to being adapted effectively to the screen. For example, the show sets itself up as being a series of flashbacks since “older Glinda” begins telling beginning of Elphaba’s story as well as the origin of their friendship. You could set this up with older Glinda beginning the movie with “No One Mourns The Wicked” and flashback to younger Glinda/Elphaba at Shiz. That would fit well, in my opinion, within a film structure.

I’ve spent entirely too much time thinking about how “Defying Gravity” would adapted for film. Since it’s the end of Act One in the show, it has to have that big theatrical finish. In order for the number to work in a film, I think having that big finish would mess up the flow since it would be in the middle of the movie.

Here are my rough thoughts on how that number could be filmed:

Glinda and Elphaba realize that the Wizard is behind the whole Animal situation. Elphaba vows to fight him UNTIL THE DAY SHE DIES, and she runs up to the attic followed by Glinda. The Wizard immediately demands the guards in his throne room follow her. We cut to Elphaba and Glinda in the attic/secret room/not really sure of the Emerald City. They I’ve barricaded the door with the broom. Elphaba spots a window and attempts the levitation spell since that is the only way they can escape. The number goes on pretty similarly up until when the guards would run into the attic in the stage show.

In my version of the film, Elphaba would fly out of the attic window. She she is new at this spell, she doesn’t get very far and ends up outside the ground of the city. She scoops up her bag and broom and makes a beeline for the mountains/forest behind the city.

From his throne room, the Wizard and Morrible see Elphaba running from the city. They devise the plan that they do in the stage version. Cut to Morrible at a press conference doing her Wicked Witch speech over a montage of the different character’s reactions as they hear it.

Tired and unsure of where she is, Elphaba stops running as she hears the speech coming over the loudspeakers of the city. She vows to Chistery that she will fight to protect him.

And this is the biggest change...

Instead of the belty ending that we see in the stage version, Elphaba sings a haunting/quieter  “Defying Gravity (Reprise)” overlooking the Emerald City (the whole “If you care to find me...” spiel). Finally, she casts the levitation spell on her broom and flies towards the western skies.

Then... we cut to 15-20 years later as older Glinda and Fiyero are celebrating their wedding anniversary as opposed to engagement in slightly reworded “Thank Goodness.”

Updated On: 2/1/21 at 10:31 PM

[Globefan]

Posted: 2/1/21 at 10:41pm

jlindsey865 said: "I completely agree that “Defying Gravity” could easily look incredibly corny if the production team attempts to structure it the same way it is on stage. In fact, I think in order for this to be a successful adaption of the stage show, many things are going to have to be reimagined (just like with all movie musicals based on stage shows).

Many aspects of the stage show do lend themselves to being adapted effectively to the screen. For example, the show sets itself up as being a series of flashbacks since “older Glinda” begins telling beginning of Elphaba’s story as well as the origin of their friendship. You could set this up with older Glinda beginning the movie with “No One Mourns The Wicked” and flashback to younger Glinda/Elphaba at Shiz. That would fit well, in my opinion, within a film structure.

I’ve spent entirely too much time thinking about how “Defying Gravity” would adapted for film. Since it’s the end of Act One in the show, it has to have that big theatrical finish. In order for the number to work in a film, I think having that big finish would mess up the flow since it would be in the middle of the movie.

Here are my rough thoughts on how that number could be filmed:

Glinda and Elphaba realize that the Wizard is behind the whole Animal situation. Elphaba vows to fight him UNTIL THE DAY SHE DIES, and she runs up to the attic followed by Glinda. The Wizard immediately demands the guards in his throne room follow her. We cut to Elphaba and Glinda in the attic/secret room/not really sure of the Emerald City. They I’ve barricaded the door with the broom. Elphaba spots a window and attempts the levitation spell since that is the only way they can escape. The number goes on pretty similarly up until when the guards would run into the attic in the stage show.

In my version of the film, Elphaba would fly out of the attic window. She she is new at this spell, she doesn’t get very far and ends up outside the ground of the city. She scoops up her bag and broom and makes a beeline for the mountains/forest behind the city.

From his throne room, the Wizard and Morrible see Elphaba running from the city. They devise the plan that they do in the stage version. Cut to Morrible at a press conference doing her Wicked Witch speech over a montage of the different character’s reactions as they hear it.

Tired and unsure of where she is, Elphaba stops running as she hears the speech coming over the loudspeakers of the city. She vows to Chistery that she will fight to protect him.

And this is the biggest change...

Instead of the belty ending that we see in the stage version, Elphaba singinga haunting/quieter“Defying Gravity (Reprise)” overlooking the Emerald City (the whole “If you care to find me...” spiel). Finally, she casts the levitation spell on her broom and flies towards the western skies.

Then... we cut to 15-20 years later as older Glinda and Fiyero are celebrating their wedding anniversary as opposed to enagagement (a slightly reworded Thank Goodness)."

That's a good layout of what the film should do. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 2/1/21 at 11:08pm

Wow, the idea of doing a softer, understated ending to Defying Gravity is very smart. It's a bold move though, one that I doubt they'll have the guts to go through with, for fear of angering fans of the show. 

[WigWerk]

Posted: 2/2/21 at 12:14am

Considering WICKED did start out as a proposed film, I wonder if they already have a rough draft of how they want the movie to be? I would really love to see as little CGI and green screen as possible in this movie. I watched THE WIZARD OF OZ movie over the holiday and became so enamored with how much detail was put into the scenery and studio space. Obviously I know things are going to need some computer technology to help administrate the magic...but I would love to see this made into an EPIC major motion picture. 

Also, I think it would be incredibly cool if they added an Intermission to the movie. You know how the original Mary Poppins, West Side Story, etc. had intermissions for their films? Why not WICKED? The story is so massive that the ACT 1 finale earns a break! I can just picture all of this adrenaline with an audience building in Defying Gravity and then the filmmakers going immediately into something like Thank Goodness...I don't know... I think it would be interesting playing with the idea of adding a pause between segments. I still think Elizabeth Gillies or Lady Gaga would be incredible as Elphaba. Also...someone like Ashley Park who has crossed both theater and television mediums would be perfect as a Glinda. Plus she does have the comedy chops and the vocal ability. Just a thought :) I truly think this movie could win an Oscar. The material is so rich, they just need the right director and screenplay. 

[thirtythirtyninety]

Posted: 2/2/21 at 8:35am

How about Jessie Buckley for Elphaba? Or Florence Pugh?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/2/21 at 11:07am

I like the idea of splitting up the roles between younger and older actresses. I definitely thought about it before, especially when they announced Stephen Daldry was announced as the director. I wonder if he had thought about it as well, since he has been using that similar concept for The Crown.

[jlindsey865]

Posted: 2/2/21 at 11:13am

I know that a Netflix series and a feature film are different, but I felt that casting different actresses playing Queen Elizabeth on “The Crown” (among other actresses) was SO effective. I think it could be effective with the right actresses/director for the “Wicked” feature film. I also think Idina and Kristin would be fantastic choice for the “older” Glinda/Elphaba counterparts. I think this could be particularly effective if “older” Glinda is telling the story to Ozians directly following the demise of the Wicked Witch.

I also think that would give a director a sense of “safety” to cast unknowns as the younger Elphaba/Glinda.

[jlindsey865]

Posted: 2/2/21 at 11:19am

I’ve also envisioned how I would love the movie to start. The audience hears celebratory bells one by one as they build into a crescendo.  We then see the Wizard’s balloon ascending from behind the Emerald City.

The “Good news, she’s dead!” sequence is sung from Ozians/townspeople as they start to open their boarded up doors/windows and gather in the front of the Emerald City. Older Glinda (in my dreams, this would be K. Cheno) appears either by bubble or some other sort of cinematic device. Part of me thinks the bubble could also look hokey on film & begins singing “Let us be glad... let us be grateful... blah blah blah...”

Updated On: 2/2/21 at 11:19 AM

[jlindsey865]

Posted: 2/2/21 at 11:37am

Also, my dream Morrible casting would be Whoopi Goldberg or Phylicia Rashad.

Updated On: 2/2/21 at 11:37 AM

[Owen22]

Posted: 2/2/21 at 11:52am

BrodyFosse123 said: "Oscar winner Lady Gaga has Elphaba in the bag. Even if it’s a few years down the road, she’ll still be a powerhouse name to bring in audiences, and not just fans of musicals. Universal wants WICKED: The Movie to make billions and Anna Kendrick is not only not vocally equipped to handle the material, she’s proven to be a great supporting actress not a lead actress. Her name is nowhere near the global superstar status of Lady Gaga, who vocally surpasses most of the ladies who’ve played the role on stage and her acting suits the material. This isn’t SOPHIE’S CHOICE level of acting required.

"

Anna Kendrick is not Elphaba. Anna Kendrick is Glinda.  You need someone with a terrific, special kind of comic delivery, Chenowith had it and when you go down the You Tube rabbit hole you'll notice only one other Glinda had essential, special comic timing: Annaleigh Ashford.  And that's why these two became stars in other mediums.  Now, all the other Glindas are good, as I'm sure, say, Kristen Bell would for the film. But her delivery isn't special. It's good. She's funny. But there is something perfect in Anna's timing that would set her Glinda above. She can be blonded. And who knew Sutton "Marian the Librarian" Foster had a soprano. Anna might have one too.

Updated On: 2/2/21 at 11:52 AM