Wicked: Movie Musical?- Page 2

[jv92]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:00pm

Yes, but not right now.
I'd love to see a more adult element in the screenplay for the film (if it is made ever), maybe some more complicated elements from the book added in with the show's script.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:02pm

I will take a pass on a movie version

[LaVieHilary]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:28pm

same, it is meant to be a stage play.

[ALWrules]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:31pm

I hope not, but probably it will happen.

[greenegirl87]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 11:06pm

I think the book would be amazing to see as a movie, but the entire reason it is a musical is that they were unable to succesfully come up with ideas at the time to make it a movie, so when Stephen Shwartz approached Universal about it, they jumped on the idea.

Not to say it would be impossible, but if they had so much trouble before, they may in the future.

And for that matter, I would be verrrrry hesitant to support the idea for the stage show to be transfered into a movie musical. It just doesn't seem right...

[children&art]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 10:21am

some thoughts:

- what is so "magical" about the effect in "defying gravity"? i was underwhelmed by the special effects on bway and on tour, the only thing i really liked was the time dragon - but that's b/c i had read the book first

- if the movies now can make a 30-ft cgi gorilla have as much humanity as his human co-star i am sure they can make the effects for this show spectacular

- NO, NO, NO to a Disney-fied version

- i would like to see the book as an HBO mini-series, it would be more raw and more sensual and adult than the stage version

- why is everyone bemoaning the death of the movie musical? just b/c "phantom", "producers", and "rent" flopped doesnt mean it's over - the whole of hollywood has been in a slump lately, not just musicals - i think "dreamgirls" may get things rolling again

- i would be thrilled to see this on the silver screen as long as two original items from bway remained: susan hilferty's great costumes (including the fantastic beaded witch gown) and idina as elphaba (but someone other than cheno as glinda, maybe reese witherspoon)

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 11:05am

It wouldn;t work as a movie. The book of the show isn't strong enough to base a screenplay on. All of the comedy works only live. The only movie they should make is a filmed version of the show.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 11:21am

Yeah, there are plenty of other threads on this. But... Here are my "hunches" on the subject... (not inside info, just so I'm clear about that)...

"Wicked" will be a move musical, probably for Winter 2007 or 2008. It will not be a non-musical film. Marc Platt (the show's producer) tried for a long time to turn the book into a non-musical film, but with no success. He owns the rights. His opinion on this subject counts the most. He co-produced the "Wicked" stage show with Universal Pictures. It's safe to say they will back the film. Because of Marc's highly successful (Legally Blonde) working relationship with Reese Witherspoon, and because of her visible interest in the show, I would look for her to star as Glinda. As with any film, the show will need to be "re-thought" for a cinematic approach. The theatrical settings and effects will be replaced by high-end sets and SFX. They'll want to attract a much larger audience by including the "Lord of the Rings" and "Narnia" audiences. Look for a big-budget look and feel... and the re-working of some material to suit this approach and the stars chosen for the main roles.

As for Elphaba... who knows? But I would count on a movie star in this role, not a stage diva. My own personal favorite (right now) for the part is Hillary Swank (for many reasons, but above all because she could play the hell out of this part).

[children&art]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 11:28am

ooooh Hillary Swank, interesting!

[jaso_n]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 11:51am

I think it's kinda funny to say that Wicked wouldn't work as a movie. If anything, it should have been made before Phantom, Rent, or Producers. It has all the theatrical and dramatic elements of a good movie. Just like, hmm....the WIZARD OF OZ. I actually wouldn't mind it being a TV movie like Cinderella with Whitney and Brandy (don't hate me!). But if you don't see Wicked as a movie that's one thing, but lets not say it wouldn't work. In fact, that's what they should do and get Kristen back as Glinda (she works). Idina, while I love her so, never woo'd me as Elphaba. I think I liked Shoshanna's Elphaba better. That being said, Shoshana probably wouldnt work that great as Elphaba. They'd need to get someone else. Maybe someone with a little bit of credibility who could pull of those songs (some pop star).

Posted: 2/21/06 at 3:06pm

Jaso, please. Do you know how old Kristin is? Movie audiences would never believe she's a quirky 15 year old at Shiz. Never.

I love the idea of having Hilary, I think she has that ambiguous look to her. If you've seen 11:59, you know what I'm talking about. She plays this really ugly gas station clerk.

Anyway, pop starts should not do this. No Britney. No Jessica. No anyone.

And I'd definitely get HBO in order to watch it.

[greenegirl87]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 6:25pm

Personally I would love to see Idina and Reese Witherspoon if it does happen. However, I don't think Reese Witherspoon could possibly sing that part( I know she sang in Walk the Line but June Carter is veryyy easier than Glinda in Wicked), and Idina probably won't ever be a huge movie star, and that is exactly what they are going to go for most likely, especially after casting most of the original cast in RENT and lacking a lot of public appeal.


If a movie was made in the next year or so, I think it would be more likely for Idina to be cast just because the movie would sell of the name Wicked alone.

Posted: 2/21/06 at 6:29pm

For someone who posted "It's meant to be a stage play," you're wrong. It was meant to be a book.

And Hairspray was meant to be a movie.

I'd like to see unknown in the main roles, maybe have some big name supporters (Morrible, Wizard).

[today4u:proofpositiv]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 7:50pm

I loved Wicked on stage, but i can't see it being successful on film. Some things should just be left the way they are you know?

[Musicals101]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:20am

I think it would make a great musical. I think Reese Witherspoon would make a good Glinda and I really think they should cast Idina. The material of Rent didn't have enough mainstream appeal, but Wicked is a fantasy like Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia. You could get away with casting stage divas because it won't have to rely on stars to sell the movie.

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 10:23am

Hopefully, but it wouldn't be the same as seeing it on broadway, so im not sure if everyone would LOVE IT. It might happen in the future because i went to Wicked: Behind the emerald curtian and i asked that question to Sean McCourt (Doctor Dillimond,Witche's Father and a standby for the Wizard) and he said "it might happen in the future" so he works there so he would know.
I really don't think it would work as a movie, i don't think it would be a movie anyway.

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:09pm

I love how people are like "Some things should just be left the way they are you know?"

Yeah, like as a book.