Wicked: Movie Musical? — Page 2

I will take a pass on a movie version

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I hope not, but probably it will happen.

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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)

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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).

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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).

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.

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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?

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.