Mon, Jun 29 2009 | Published in News

Wicked: The Movie – Coming 2010!

By: Jamie Sharp

wicked-the-musical-wickedWicked takes the story of The Wizard of Oz and turns it on its head. It tells the classic story from the perspective of the (not so) Wicked Witch of the west, Elphaba, and her her unlikely friendship with Glinda, the good witch of the north. Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard’s corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba’s public fall from grace.

The plot is set mostly before Dorothy’s arrival from Kansas, and includes several references to well-known scenes and dialogue in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz as a backstory. You will finally understand why the Lion is so cowardly, how the tin man came to have no heart, where the ruby slippers came from and grow to love and understand the magical characters of Oz better than ever before!

elphabaIt is rumoured that the original Broadway leads Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda) and Idina Menzel (Elphaba) will reprise their roles for the big screen adaptation, with Joel Grey returning to the role of the Wizard.

Kristin Chenowweth was quizzed about the idea of Wicked: the Movie in Nov ‘08

”Yes, I do think it will be made. I think – you know, there’s something going on right now where everyone’s hearing that there’s going to be a movie. You know, there will be a movie. But I believe – and I could be wrong, but I believe it will be years before we see it as a movie, because – you know, Universal will really want to make sure that they suck it dry, so to speak in all the theaters. And if you look at movies like Chicago and Phantom of the Opera those were 20, 25 years after the fact. And I could see, definitely, me playing Madame Morrible at that point. But I hope they really do it soon, so that I’m young enough to play Glinda.”

wickedLucky for us fans, we may not have to wait 20 years at all, as it is apparently already in production now, set to be released in 2010!

Rumour has it, that Marc Platt (producer of Broadway show) and David Stone will produce the screen adaptation for Universal, with Winnie Holzman penning the script.

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About Jamie Sharp

Jamie Sharp is the younger brother of Craig Sharp and has worked in media sales now for many years. Roughly one year ago Jamie gave up the wet and windy weather of good old Blighty to live down under in a life of luxury. Jamies favourite films include Twilight, Moulin Rouge, Sex and the City and basically anything with a bit of style - after all the Australian's are very particular about style!
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  • Taylorlush
    Wicked Cast;
    Glinda: Avril Lavigne.
    Elphaba: Megan Fox
    Fiyero: Drew Fuller
    Nessarose: Anne Hathaway
    Wizard: Christopher Walken
  • rustyyyyx277
    what are you retarded?
  • Mard and fish
    I actually have to say i really did not care for the book and i think they probably won't make Wicked a movie till it's off broadway sadly but Wicked as a movie would lose so much compared to the stage production it would be really hard to pull off the Defying Gravity scene. A question i have is would they use real animals or people in costumes for the movie. Wicked fans would love real people but people who see the movie and haven't seen it on stage might think it's really stupid so it might not be really popular because of that. And for casting i would love to see the original cast i like Zac Efron but he would not do well in wicked maybe Anne Hathaway could maybe be a decent Nessarose but could definetly not pull off Elphaba. Wouldn't it be amazing if the people who are going to produce it read the fan sights to see what we think and use our ideas.
  • WICKEDMOVIE<3WICKED!!
    I dont want to see Lea Michelle at all anywhere in this musical movie! I dont mean to sound rude but I dont like her! I dont like Glee! Im honestly completely not trying to be rude! I neither want Idina or Kristin back dont get me wrong they are the freaking best things ever! i love them as Elphaba and Glinda. If they're going to make a movie they should find fresh talent. Not the old talent (not that we all dont like the old talent) but give somebody else a chance. Lea Michelle does not deserve a role that big now. Shes just starting out (and i know she was in Spring Awakening OBC) but still! Sorry if i offended anybody i didnt try to. im just tired of hearing of Lea Michelle and Idina and Kristin and all these people that HAVE been in the show before
  • WICKED LOVER
    WHEN IS IT COMING OUT???????????
    I LUV WICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    THE BOOK IS SO GOOD TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Nicholas
    Yeah. Thanks. billiepiper. I saw the musical on Broadway and it was absoultely amazing. the movie better be better or the same as it will last for ever. . . . . Sorry bout that. i'm am really looking foward to this as are many of my friends....
  • billiepiper
    If they're going to make Wicked a movie, they'd better make it damn good. People who've seen it as a musical will have some very high expectations.
  • Jeff
    I personally, would like to see Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth reprise the roles of Elphaba and Glinda...I was privileged to see them perform it as the original cast and was completely blown away by their performances. In my opinion, it would be a crime not to cast these two very talented women in these roles.
  • sara
    Wicked Dream Cast:
    Elphaba: Lea Michelle
    Galinda: Analeigh Ashford
    Fiyero: James Marsden
    Morrible: Bernadette Peters
    Wizard: Victor Garber
    Nessa: Meredith Patterson
  • i<333 wicked
    i saw the play in pittsburgh and it was the best play i have ever seen hopefully the movie will be just as good as the play cant wait to see it!!!!!!!
  • mitnal
    i do love the original broadway cast but would never get actors to do it like zac efron or anne hathaway like seriously ppl.. zac and anne would both rouine it!! just puttin it out there...they should use ppl who have actually been in the musical... i do love kristin and idina both are amazing but if not them then i choose megan hilty (Galinda) and Eden Espinosa (Elphaba)... they would b amazing!! :D
  • mattrose16
    I would love to see this as a movie!! I think they could film it on stage but with professional cameras and shtuff!
  • Myffanwy
    <3 I can't wait!
  • WICKEDFAN
    It would be sooo cool if they did do a movie! But if they realy are, Why so secretive? Coming from the BIGGEST wicked fan ever i think if they didnt do the obc, Lea michelle from glee would do and excellent job. however, Obc is always the best!!!
  • petesalazar
    I completley agree. I'vee been seeing Lea Michelle devolpe from her days as Young Cossette in Les Miserable, to Wendla in Spring Awakening, to Eponine in Les Miserables oposite of John Lloyd Young. She is a rising talent that there is very little of left in Hollywood. And she is the perfect fit for Elphaba. In a way she does look like a young Idina Menzel. I certainly hope there is a movie in 2010!
  • lyricsommers
    IF, there was a movie, it would be the best thing inthe world! but its soo not happening, atleast not in 2010. You don't think there would be more than just rumores over the internet by now? i mean comeon, its like number 1! some people must now if it was happening and if it was they soo would have told someone by now, the word would be out. I wish and i hope.
  • Rogue76
    Lea Michele (gLee, Spring Awakening OBC) has got to be in it, at least as the young Elphaba (including singing Defying Gravity). Then, Idina can take over for the "second act" and finish up with Kristen on For Good.
  • krejaton
    With all the hype they would try to generate with this movie...and we hear nothing...means there is no way 2010 is a viable date.

    These are rumors and nothing more, sad to say.
  • albal
    Im hoping that Eden Espinoza will play elphaba and fiyero by adam lambert!!!
  • Kortini
    I am a huge fan of wicked and I know all the songs. I think that Kristin Chenoweth should play Galinda and Idina Menzel should play Elphaba. I also think Norbert Leo Butz should play Fiyero
  • Haysen
    I Love Wicke dand i hope they bring back the original cast to play the characters but dont think its gonna happen:( I think the movie will still be amazing though!!!!!!!
  • Potterinu
    I'd like to see that girl from Glee playing Elphaba. I loved her singing defying gravity on the show.
  • musicfisch
    my cast choices would be:
    kristen chenneworth as galinda
    anne hathaway as elpheba
    zac efron as fiyero
    kelsey grahmer as the wizard
  • Bob
    I can see Kelsey as the wizard, the boy CAN sing... Anne doesn't have the lungs to play elphaba, and zac is a dweeb
  • iluvwicked
    anne hathaway cannot sing so that would be an awfull choice and zac efron cannot be in an original brodway show or even remake as a movie!
  • wickedloverforeva
    no way not anne hathway or zac or kelsey the original cast is way better they need to be init and it needs to be like the musical not the book
  • Name
    Kendra Kassenbaum is probably the worst I've ever seen for Glinda. If they had to pick someone other than the original cast for the movie. Amy Adams for Glinda hands down and for Elphaba, I really couldn't tell you. There aren't many strong actresses out there that can also sing. If it was to be a Broadway person, I could safely say I'd enjoy Susan Egan as Elphaba. I don't know where everyone is getting off saying that Anne Hathaway would be a good Elphaba. She might be a good Nessarose but she could NEVER handle Elphaba EVER. For Fiyero, I wouldn't mind James Marsden. Norbert Leo is to old and fat looking on camera. I saw him perform live and he was great, he wouldn't translate into a teenager well though. I do hope they don't split the parts into two actresses and actors that would be horrible for me to experience. Anyway, I hope the original cast comes back but I hope Idina steps up a little bit for Defying Gravity instead of sliding her notes lazily like she had been doing for sometime and cleaning it up a bit. Anyway, thats all I have to say.
  • Wolf
    Sorry, but Kendra Kassebaum and Teal Wicks are the ones who should be playing the movie roles. Best pairing I've seen to date.
  • Wolf
    Sorry, but Kendra Kassebaum and Teal Wicks are the ones who should be playing the movie roles. Best pairing I've seen to date.
  • angela boynes
    seen it in london in july goin back next month 2 see it again so am sooo excited at the thought ov them turnin it into a film angb
  • Name
    i think Annaleigh Ashford would be a good Galinda too!!
  • BarbieNaykles09
    As long as you dont butcher the movie im all for it. It should be really good and i cant wait to see the movie. im so excited. and for all you people who disagree need to shut it and give it a try. its a good way to get the yunger generation a taste of a good movie and music. face it hardly anyone goes to broadway anymore, and to get the best musicals out into the world is by movie form. so im all for the movie as you can see. please keep me updated with the movie.

    Sincerly

    Renee
  • Mom
    omg lol i cant wait to see it.

    best
    movie
    evar.
  • Jamie Sharp
    I just read that Dakota Fanning has signed up for a sequel to the Wizard Of Oz, playing Dorothys granddaughter with the story being set in present day. If this is true then what is the likely hood of them producing Wicked at the same time??? :(

    In my opinion ditch this sequel idea and get Wicked released ASAP!
  • iluvwicked
    i like ur thinking. dakota fanning shouldnt play dorothy's grandaughter, bring in someone new
  • Amy
    Rob Marshall absolutely needs to be directing Wicked The Movie! If Idina can't play Elphaba, then I nominate Ana Gasteyer! She was phenomenal here in Chicago.
  • wizardgeek
    no, dee roscioli should with erin mackey but i dont like the idea of a movie at all. sorry.
  • wizardgeek
    i think stephen schwartz should do the directing and the songs! i think he's really awesome:)
  • Jamie Sharp
    My guess would be that it's going to be based on the Musical, or at least I hope so!
  • I am really excited for Wicked as a movie! My only question: Will it be based on the book or the movie? Because I think both have potential, but I tend to lean toward the book, because it's such a great story, and has the opportunity to have all the sequels. What would be really cool is if they blended the book and musical, but that might get... messy. Besides, it's hard to explain the difference from Animals and animals. But if it was like the musical, some of the effects that are AMAZING onstage would have to be revamped for the big screen. Anyway, I hope whatever comes out of this will be WONDERFUL!
  • Jamie Sharp
    The date has also been changed to 2016. Also, Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero in the West End version) has been rumoured to reprise his role for the movie. Hmmm....
  • Dee
    Annaliese Van Der Pol (Chelsea from the show, "That's So Raven") will be playing G(a)linda.
    It says so on IMDB.
    I for one am devestated.
  • iluvwicked
    omg that sucks!
  • Michele
    I honestly believe this would only work if they created the movie from the book, not the musical. I have read all three books and seen the musical on stage...loved every second of both, but I don't believe the musical would translate well to the big screen. However, I do believe the book would. I would go see it whether it was based on the book or the musical just out of love for the story though.
  • AJ
    WE need a really good musical in the coming years... and Wicked could be just that... plus, if it is so popular as a stage show, wouldn't making a movie make it even more money? And I think if it's good, people would still see the Broadway show... the book was just too good... but what about the sequels? They could be a movie or a show couldn't they?
  • marcus
    i love wicked i cant what to see it ooooooooooo it going to b the bast movie in 2010
  • Joanna
    Well- you never know. Just look at Mamma Mia- that was not in theatres for too long before it was made into a movie and look how well that did. If Wicked was released as soon as 2010, it still has all the anticipation surrounding it to be as successful as things like Mamma Mia and Chicago. I think it would be amazing to see how they did it and would love to see this as a film, especially with the original broadway cast! It would still have the same magic as it does on stage if they do it correctly- and with the intended cast, they will :)
  • Craig Sharp
    I've never seen the stage show but I would love to see it in movie form. Considering today's technology we could see a whole new Oz (I'm thinking Middle-Earth from LOTR but a bit fluffier) it could potentially be done on an epic scale...
  • Jamie Sharp
    It would be better in movie form in my opinion, think how amazing the sets are on the stage, with a movie version the sky is the limit! It could be done soooo well!
  • Andelle
    I think I'm the only one in the Wicked fan base that doesn't want a movie.

    Half of the magic of this show is the sets they use. It won't be the same in movie form. :(
  • cooltobealittlesummerwind
    I am so glad you said this. I it is idiocy that they are planning on making a film out of Wicked. If they want to save it, it will HAVE to be more like the book, and unfortunately, not a musical. It won't work the way some people are thinking it will off stage.
  • Laura'
    For god's sakes, listen to this person! Wicked the book does NOT need to be a lame musical. It needs to be a wonderfully dark movie - Tim Burtonesque, but reined in. MOVIE MUSICALS ARE LAME. The fact that this wonderful book was turned into a stage show before a movie still galls me.
  • jmlong6
    I really loved Wicked the Musical on Broadway, but agree that a movie version should be based on the book. A musical version wouldn't translate well to the screen and there is so much depth to the story. Here's hoping the powers that be share our opinion.
  • Charles H
    Would really love to see this done !
  • Jamie Sharp
    as stated in the article 2010 is only the rumoured date of release, I really hope that it is accurate though, I'm craving to see a movie version!
  • Craig Sharp
    There are conflicting dates on IMDB, with the film actually titled Wicked (2010) and the speculative date given as 2016. So how about we sit tight until more info is available folks hmm?
  • Kara
    IMDB actually says 2010.
  • ll
    Release Date: 2016 (USA)
    is what it says on imdb...
  • aly b
    This is impossible--Idina Menzel is currently 5-6 months pregnant with her first child for one thing-perhaps there are plans to begin production on the movie in 2010 but no way that there is one in production at present. There would be loads of publicity surrounding the production of such a successful and popular show such as Wicked--and as Kristin said in the quote above--producers would likely wait until the show wanes in attendance on Broadway and elseware before producing a movie--and after almost 6 years on B'way, Wicked remains at 100 percent capacity every week with patrons paying full price for a ticket. I am crazy for this show but I think if there is ever a film it will be years before we see it.
  • rain92
    Went to see it with my gf, was actually pretty good...
  • Anon
    OMG! I cannot wait to see this in the cinema!!!
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