'Wicked' Film Adaptation
There are many musicals that exist in the world, with some obviously being more popular than others. Many musicals even end up getting film adaptations if they do well enough. Some of these adaptations end up doing very well, while others slip into obscurity. Often times, when an adaptation is announced, people sit by with bated breath to see whether it turns out like they think it will. Usually these adaptations turn out well due to the translation from musical stage performance to musical film being within the same medium.
Some film adaptations for musicals have become all-time classics that are simply beloved. Included on that list are the 1982 version of Annie, Grease, Hello, Dolly!, West Side Story and more. These films become classics and this eventually makes them viable for new generation adaptations for the films. We know that a new adaptation for West Side Story is currently in development, and now we are getting a brand new adaptation for a different production. Now, we are getting an adaptation for the production Wicked.
‘Wicked’ tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and her journey into villainhood. Before the events of The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy’s arrival, the world was a different place. By viewing things before she came to the world, we can see what made her journey what it was. The musical was widely regarded as one of the best of the decade and that made it perfect for a film adaptation.
‘Wicked’ is being directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot) and produced by Marc Platt (Into the Woods, Bridge of Spies). The screenplay is by Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life), who also wrote the book for the three-time Tony-winning stage musical. The musical is based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire. The music and lyrics for the film are being done by three-time Oscar®-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz. As of now, the movie is slated for release in December of 2021.