Wicked Movie Is Heading Our Way
Published on Tuesday 13th July, 8.51am, Written by Mike Shaw
I’m amazed it’s taken this long, but it seems a movie based on top London show Wicked is on the cards.
Universal are finally getting the wheels in motion and have spoken to the likes of JJ Abrams, Rob Marshall (Chicago), and Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy about the idea of directing the eventual film.
Is Wicked heading for the big screen?
Wicked, adapted from Gregory Maguire’s bestseller about the early days of Glinda and Elphaba (the two witches in The Wizard of Oz), was set to hit the big screen years ago, but producer Marc Platt and the folk at Universal chose to turn it into a stage musical instead, and we all know how that turned out.
Now, after raking in billions of dollars around the world, Platt, book writer Winnie Holzman, and songwriter Stephen Schwartz are talking to various directors about taking the reins of the movie adaptation.
As we know, Wicked has a particularly vocal fanbase, many of whom have already started lobbying for the show’s original stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth to play the leads.
Let’s be clear – that is NEVER going to happen. It might make the diehards happy, but Universal want to make money, and as unfair as this might be, most people have no idea who Menzel and Chenoweth are. In order to fully exploit the story’s cinematic potential, it’s far more likely that younger, better-known actresses will be given the top jobs.
Just picturing it now, I can see someone like Lea Michele as Elphaba, alongside Amy Adams as Glinda.
Whatever happens, I hope that this isn’t another false start, because a movie adaptation of Wicked is long overdue and will do great business. Plus, it will act as a brilliant advert for the real thing.
As if the very idea of a Wicked movie isn’t exciting enough, rumour has it that Salma Hayek is going to turn the story into a television miniseries!
Well I find that it is still possible for Menzel and Chenoweth could make the cast for the extremely overdue movie!!! True it is unlikely but they created and stared as the 2 roles only 7 years ago! I agree Lea Michelle would make a good Elphaba but Amy Adams as Glinda is a little bit far-fetched because of the age difference!
I can’t wait till it comes out I love the musical
Lea Michele and Amy Adams with Rob Marshall and JJ Abrams sounds like your dream cast!! Show and Stay, you should cast and produce it don’t ya think?
Thanks for posting this, looking forward to more film updates!
If Lea Michele comes anywhere near the production of a Wicked movie, consider it boycotted by me.
No one knows who Idina and Kristin are?! Oh come ON! Idina reprised her role as Maureen in the RENT movie for crying out loud! And both she and Kristin appeared in a couple episodes of Glee! They should both reprise their roles as Elphaba and Glinda. “Unknowns” make the best cast members in my opinion. Just because some stars are well known doesn’t mean they’re good.
It’s true. Kristin was also Olive in the TV series Pushing Daises, so saying no-one knows who Idina and her are is untrue. Everyone who knows Wicked and who would be going to see the film would know that they were in the OBC.
If this takes as long as it did to make the film version of Chicago it will probably feature Dakota Fanning’s twin daughters directed by Rob Marshall’s grandson!
Lea Michele as Elphaba?!!? HELL YES!!! But Amy Adams? Uh, no. She wonderful but there is quit a age difference. But as far as my dream G(a)linda, Tiffany Thortan! She can tottaly play the part, she is pretty and popualr like Glinda, and she can totally sing! As far as the movie, Im soooo excited!! I will be sad not to see Indina and Kristan in the movie but they will forever be in our hearts! <3 :]
Rachel Tucker as Elphaba and Dianne Pilkington as Glinda would be the dream combo.
Rachel Tucker for sure. Although, Lea Michelle is amazing.. Glinda.. Meh! Louise dearman is pretty damn good.
I have seen it somewhere on the net that Idina has said she would be honoured to play Elpie!! Here’s hoping.
In the nicest possible way i don’t think Lea Michelle is strong enough for the part, although with all technology we have nowadays I’m sure the movie would be just fine. No one can play glinda like Kristin Chenoweth she is by far the best. It’s going to be interesting to see who they cast, seeing as the show has been so successful i find it hard to believe that the movie could live up to that.
It all depends what kinda movie they’re doing; after the book or after the musical (and therefore a musical).
i would love if they would simply release a pro-shot of the actual musical (preferably with the current London cast – Rachel and Louise ;) and do a “real” movie based on the book, cuz the book is pretty diff than the musical and would make a great drama.
As for the actresses, i think it’ll be too hard for them to chose one of the many great girls who has played Elphie and Galinda on stage, it would be kinda unfair too don’t u think? and with all the crazy Wicked fans out there there would be war, cuz every one has their own fav. So going with someone completely new does seem like the sane choice..
Geez poor producers, making this into a movie nowdays is gonna be soooo hard (with all the expectations) but if Harry Potter and LoTR managed, i guess they can do it and keep their necks on, lol.
Kerry Ellis as Elphaba any day of the week
If Lea Michelle goes anywhere near Wicked I will never see it. She’s simply not strong enough and does not have the vocal range that Elphie needs. If this movie is going to be successful it needs Idina and Kristin. That’s the only way it’s going to work. I can’t imagine either turning down the role after all Idina had no issue coming back to be Maureen for Rent so why would she not want to reprise Elphie? Long story short even if they don’t pick Idinia and Kristin to do the movie they need to pick people who actually have vocal range and can actually sing without overacting, to be put simply not Lea Michelle. Sorry to all Glee fans but maybe you should try listening to the original artists before you start to love Glee’s covers.
i concur
Kristin and Idina could never play the leads in the movie, due to the simple fact that there roles begin fruition as very you women and i’m sure both actresses would be the first to admit that as beautiful as they are they are past playing teenagers. I can’t help but wonder if relatively unknown actresses will earn the roles of Glinda and Elphie if the movie does take place with nkown actors in the supporting roles like with Emmy and Gerard in Phantom.
If Idina & Kristin do not get to re-live their roles and is that lea michele if that even is her name comes anywhere near wicked l will personally hunt down the director!!!
GET IDINA & KRISTIN!
Make the fans happy, tbh in my opinon the happier the fans are the better the movie will do right?!
this is ridiculous. with what they can do w/ makeup, etc. there is no reason why idina and kristin can’t play the leads. they were only in the show 7 years ago, anyway! there is NO ONE who can play the roles like they can.
HELL YES!
Lea, as Elphaba is the best idea. Right age, right talented (she and Idina are very similar).
I cant understand how someone could think she isnt right for that role.
She singing For Good is a piece of heaven.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI8szaMPFuM&feature=related
i am glad they r doing a film on wicked coz the show was WICKED
I hope idina and kristenget it. would be perfect for it! they would be great i hope who ever casts this movie chooses them not only do wicked fans already love them but we know that any one new who plays them and doesnt quite match up would probably be critisied and youd have a twilight thing going on like… team idina and kristin…lol
whoever wrote this article is a complete idiot… idina and kristin made wicked what it is today. saying amy adams to be glinda is a load of rubbish, i think it would be incredible for the original cast to be in the movie but they made wicked a success through a stage production not a film!! and saying you need modern actresses to play the parts is so bias.
*kerry ellis would be incredible too
http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/04/30/wicked-movie-idina-menzel-kristin-chenoweth/
Lea Michele as Elphaba and Dianna Agron as Glinda. That is all.
First of all, I would love to have the OBC in the movie, but if unfortunately was not possible NO PLEASE Lea Michele!!! I love Glee, really, I watched every episode til now and I like her voice… but she’s definitely not right for the role of Elphaba. Elphaba is a strong and rebel woman…. should be played by someone who does not seem an ambitious, spoiled and self-centered kid!!! Maybe she could have a role as the young Elphaba..but not the whole movie, it’s ridicoulous.
Second: I heard that they could propose the role to Vanessa Hudgens.. NO. For almost all the reasons above… besides that, she’s too sweet and sticky…
And for those who propose Tim Burton for the direction…. well, that could be a curious movie. An horror-fantasy movie!!! Obviously a lot of fans would be against this because they want the movie to be loyal to the musical but it would be nice to see his own and crazy version!
Looking forward to finally watching whatever will be the movie!!!
Lea micheal and Amy Adams have had thire big break I think it should go to someone currently playing the role for example when I saw the musical at the theatre I saw Rachel tucker as Elephaba and Louise Dearman as Glinda if this movie dose happen they should not be rule out they were brilliant!!!!!!!!
Just one quick thing: Amy Adams is about the same age as Idina and Kristen. You know Amy and Idina were both in Enchanted as love rivals, right? Amy won’t happen.
Also, what about an animated feature? :D Then there’d be no doubt that they could get the OBC :DDDD