Tuesday
15Jul2008
There's No Place Like Hollywood for 'Wicked'
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 1:34PM 
IGN is a really good place to get your movie
news, I must say. They have their own stories and they're really good about
wading through the mountains of industry headlines to find interesting ones, and
that's the case here with a story they plucked from Variety. (I do wish
they'd link to the story on Variety, because that site's internal search
is a complete goddamn waste of time).
Because great things are expected out of
Mamma Mia! (we may not see those results
initially, but this thing will be in theaters around the world clear through
Labor Day), Universal is skimming the cream of Broadway again, reaching a deal
to bring Wicked to theaters.
Talk about a movie that'll make a lot of money...
The musical has been an enormous hit, it's based on a
very popular book, and with musicals suddenly getting as much play as comic book
movies - and wouldn't be something to counterprogram every superhero movie with
a musical, like they're doing this week? - I'm frankly very surprised that this
one hasn't already happened. In a way, though, that's a good thing, because it
allows everybody to get their ducks in a row; after all, nobody wants a repeat
of The Producers, now do they?
In fact, it appears that Universal has held the rights
to the musical for a decade, which shows tremendous foresight, because musicals
have only been in vogue again for about five years. So why the delay? Universal
honcho Donna Langley says, "Our goal now is absolutely to make the Wicked
film, but much like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to Mamma Mia!
until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen Schwartz are
very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."
And if you look at the recent headlines that indicate
Mamma Mia! performances are once again enjoying brisk business in advance of
the release of the film adaptation, what Donna Langley really means is, "this
way, everyone gets richer."
Though we don't have such details yet, it's completely
logical to let
Kristin Chenoweth reprise her role as Glinda,
The Good Witch of the North. She knows the part, she's a great singer, she's
very photogenic, and her TV and movie career is slowly building some momentum.
We also went to the same high school, so that's my trivia for the day.
I suppose you could cast
Idina Menzel as the Wicked Witch of the West,
since she originated that role on Broadway, although cynically, I think the
studio would want a bigger name star in that very showy role.
There's no release date yet, but we'll keep you posted.
Colin Boyd | Permalink | in Adaptations, Musicals | Print Article | Email Article | 44 Comments | Share Article
Reader Comments (44)
unfortunately I am far to lazy to read a book, so I've wanted this to happen.
Being a person that doesn't read books let me tell you that the cover on this book is AMAZING. It is simple beautiful and it makes me want to take a closer look, me being a person who does not read books.
Idina Menzel OWNS that roll. She proved so by winning the Tony. All those people who are huge fans of the musical know that...They will demand she be Elphaba. That is the way we want this film to be made. Let us hope that's what comes to pass. Are you reading this Universal?
Unfortunately as Phantom proved with ALW and Warners, The fans don't get what they want the studio does. Although I think Idina should definitely do the role I think Chenoweth could be replaced and I wouldn't care as much
No way would they cast Kristin Chenoweth. She can pull off being a teenager on stage, but that just won't work on film, no matter how young she looks for her age!
Kristen and Idina rule! But, let's not forget "The Producers". When the fans got their wish with Matthew and Nathan, well the result was not good. They were way too over the top for a movie. Was it director error. Yes, but it also was the wrong actors for the movie.
I love the book, I love the musical, I'm scared to death of the movie. I just don't want it to suck. My fear is that all the things that make the musical great will not translate well to film. Part of the spectacle is what they are able to do live on stage - it's amazing there but so easily accomplished on film. It just wouldn't seem as impressive.
That said, miracles do happen. I am a huge fan of "Chicago: The Musical" and thought that making a movie was a HUGE mistake. I had to eat those words after seeing the genius that Rob Marshall displayed when directing that.
Time will tell...
If Idina Menzel does not play Elphaba if and when they make a Wicked movie, it would be a HUGE mistake. NOBODY can pull off that role but her. Kristen is awesome too, but please, the best would be Idina.
so what if she's not a BIG NAME, she is to her fans.
and i also think that if they do make a Wicked movie, it will 100% not be as good as the actual production on Broadway. But i'm going to be majorly upset if they do not cast Idina.
I personally think not casting Idina and Kristen would be a huge mistake. So many fans would choose not to see the movie simply because of that. They each created their roles and brought them to life. Kristen has proved herself able to be on tv and i dont think it would be the same without her. And lets not forget that idina has already proved herself able to transform her character onto the big screen in RENT. with that saying i would have to agree with zeke, some of the magic might just be lost on the screen. we'll just ahve to wait and see
I'm nervous about the movie. The book was so-so, but I'm ADDICTED to the musical, having just seen it for my sixth time last week. I don't know who they should cast as the main characters. Obviously Indina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth are the main choices, but (don't kill me) I don't think their voices are as strong as some others out there. That being said, the two of them can act well, so that's a plus.
I just hope Hollywood doesn't butcher such an AMAZING musical.
you can't suppose to cast Idina, you HAVE too! I'm addicted to the musical like so many and it would be incredible to see the original broadway cast as they did with Rent!
I agree that Kristen and Idina are good for the roles, but the role I'm worried about is the Wizard. Obviously, 76-year-old Joel Grey would be a popular choice, but I'm not sure many people would agree. But if he doesn't get it, I'm not sure I'd feel too happy about seeing the movie, when they make it. He's just such a great, powerful actor, despite his age.
Having seen the musical (and absolutely fallen in love with it), it would be a dream-come-true to be have a WICKED movie to reprise the experience. While I am not against the idea of having Idina and Kristin as the leads, if it is visual appearance that matters (i.e. "pulling off a teenager on screen"), some younger (and equally talented) actresses who play the roles in the other productions (Australia, UK...Germany?) would be my ideal choices for the roles of Elphie and Galinda.
However, if a renowned Hollywood star who posesses neither the ability to bring the characters to life on screen (acting-wise), nor the voice to pull off Schwartz's mind-blowing score is chosen...I would be highly disappointed (as I was with Pierce Brosnan's singing in the recent Mamma Mia! and Amanda Seyfried acting in the same film).
IF they do end up making a movie of WICKED...I will PRAY they have a little consideration on who they cast as their leads.
Idina is the only Elphaba! No one would be able to play that role as well as she could. She has such a beautiful voice, it would be a crime to not let her have her Tony-award winning role!
Teal Wicks, the actress who plays Elphaba at the Pantages in Hollywood did an amazing job as Elphaba. Her voice is stronger than Idina's, and she is younger as well. She would be a superb choice, I think. Idina is great, don't get me wrong, but Teal Wicks would do just as well in my opinion.
Also, has anyone considered Reese Witherspoon for Glinda? Watching her in Legally Blonde made me think that she could pull off the part well.
I'm all for Idina playing Elphaba. She deserves it. ...but my favorite Glinda has to be Kendra Kassebaum. I think she would do well... anyway nothing scares me and excites me more than Wicked: The Movie. The only thing I can say is I only hope the movie makes people want to see the musical and not scare them away from it instead...
Everyone needs to move on, there is more to Wicked than the original Broadway cast. I have seen loads of Elphabas and i have to say they are all better than Idina...i had to listen to Idina for 8 shows a week in London and i have to say she was half decent about twice a week!!!
Seriously MOVE ON!!!
I think reese witherspoon would be good as Glinda...but can she sing? remember its a Musical...unless they translate the book into film and not the musical...because its (in my opinion) alot better the book is darker and has more depth to it.
The musical is all pretty colours and amazing singers they have taken alot of the story out of that one.
WICKED THE BOOK FOR FILM NOT THE MUSICAL!!!!!!
okay, so saying that idina menzel is not a well known name is absolutely absurd... anyone who has heard of wicked and has fallen in love with wicked knows who idina menzel is... she's on the soundtrack, so every time you go to listen to your favorite wicked hits... BAM! there's idina menzel... now, idina may not be as well known as say, katherine heigl, amy adams, or angelina jolie... but she is very well known and has a huge fan base...
with all that being said, I've seen several ladies play elphaba, and the only one that i felt totally embodied that role was idina... she was absolutely phenomenal! and i know people will flip their lids if she isn't elphaba
I think they would both be great for the roles. Idina did a fabulous job in RENT when it went to the big screen so why wouldn't she be able to pull it off in Wicked? Kristen is a wonderful actress and has been on tv plenty of times. I think they sound amazing together. They harmonize so well. Gives me cold chills everytime I listen to them sing together. I think they should atleast be given the opportunity to do the movie if there is going to be one. If they aren't interested, go looking for someone else, but definately give them a chance.
I personally think that the movie would be better without the "big name" actors or actresses. It would take away from the magic of the musical if they simply took a big name over someone who would totally BE that role. Idina made that role what it is and I would absolutely love to see her in the movie if they make one, or one of the other fabulous actresses that have played it on stage. The RENT movie is absolutely AMAZING, and it did it without using the "big name" overused actors, it used the ones who obviously understood and did such a fabulous job on those roles.
I personally would rather they waited quite a while to make Wicked a movie because I love it on stage so much and I'm afraid making musicals into movies while the musical is still doing great on stage will kill musical theatre.
I do agree somewhat with that. Musicals are always much less...akward onstage than in movies. It seems more natural for people to randomly break into song and do a choreographed dance onstage as opposed to the big screen. There are exceptions, of course. Hairspray the movie was VERY well done and is the most natural film musical i have seen.
We as fans of the musical have to understand, though, that wicked was amazing onstage partially because of what they were able to pull off onstage. We are so used to special effects that the effect will not be the same in a movie. I will still go see it, undoubtably, but i think that the play will always be better than the movie, no matter who they cast or what special effects they manage to use.
I'm so excited now, they should use both Kristin and Idina. I think they should do it like Cats, do it as a stage production, not like Hairspray and RENT where they make it into a proper film. It would keep more of the magic.
"No way would they cast Kristin Chenoweth. She can pull off being a teenager on stage, but that just won't work on film, no matter how young she looks for her age!"
That person has obviously never seen Dr Who, if they can make David Tennant look like a 90 year old man they can make Kristin Chenoweth look like a teenager.
idina is a good singer. i have the soundtrack. but i agree with i_believe_in_Angels... Teal Wicks can do the job also. i love her voice. it's richer & more stable than idina's. she took my breath away with wizard & i which was her first solo in the musical... i think she could definitely give idina a run for her money! i love her! i wish she did the soundtrack too! i'd definitely buy her version!
annaleigh ashford was an amazing glinda! and she's young enough to pull of a teenager in the film! and what about stephanie j block as elphaba??
I personally would Love to see a Wicked Movie but not based solely on the play. Don't get me wrong the play was amazing but the book was 100X better. For people who didn't read the book and are thinking of seeing the musical read the book before you go. You'll actually understand things a lot faster. Me and my mom understood the play on a different level then my father and sister.When the movie is made Idina and Kristen better play the lead roles. (oh and there is a third book coming out in the Wicked series. CANT WAIT!)