‘Wicked’ Musical Play Gets Movie Adaptation—Should Idina Menzel Star In The Silver Screen Version?
One of the biggest musical plays from this decade is going to have a movie adaptation. Wicked is set to hit the big screens by December 2019, and everyone is on the lookout for the possible casting of the film.
According to Universal, Stephen Daldry will be the director of the movie musical and he will work with producer Marc Platt.
The Daldry-Platt collaboration is the perfect match for the upcoming Wicked movie since Daldry’s work revolves around Broadway musicals, while Marc Platt is a veteran in American film and theater production.
Daldry has already been nominated for Best Director and Best Picture at the Academy Awards for his films Billy Elliot, The Hours, The Reader and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Stephen Daldry has just finished his 2016 project, The Crown. He is now set to start working on the Wicked movie project.
On the other hand, Marc Platt has been known for his unique take on visual storytelling with his outstanding work on Wanted, Drive and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Platt has just completed the film adaptation of the novel The Girl on the Train and he is currently working on multiple films including Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara and Marry Poppins Returns.
There are no fixed casting announcement yet, but it is highly possible that Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth get to join the movie versions as well. Menzel and Chenoweth have both been veterans on both television and film so this transition might not be too difficult for the two actresses.
At the same time, the audience who have seen the play version of Wicked has grown accustomed to this duo that it might be difficult to find a proper replacement for the protagonists.
Wicked has been seen by about 50 million fans worldwide. They actually toured all over the world and it is just prime time to see this masterpiece on the big screens.
Universal Pictures indicated a Dec. 20, 2019 launch for the Tony-winning stage production.
Interestingly, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth have both reunited for a collaboration of the Wicked hit song, The Good. When the two were asked if they will be collaborating on a different project, they said it would have to be a “secret.” Hopefully, that “secret” project would be the Wicked movie.
https://www.facebook.com/IdinaMenzel/videos/10154843617759616/
As for Idina Menzel, the Broadway superstar is quite busy at the moment. Aside from her recording a benefit project for the LGBT Center of Central Florida, Menzel is also set to reprise her role as the iconic Frozen Queen, Elsa in Disney’s next Frozen Holiday Special.
Idina Menzel’s Wicked role has been one of her most memorable performances. Speaking with BroadwayWorld, Menzel noted that she felt fortunate for being blessed with multiple projects in Broadway.
“What I have always felt the most fortunate about is having been a part of original musicals and originating roles – as well as the creative process that goes along with that and how rewarding that all is. You know, I set the bar high because I don’t what to do just any other show just to keep working, I want to do something special that means something to people and speaks to them. Those kinds of opportunities don’t come along all the time!”
Being in the shift from Broadway, to animation, to television and film, Idina Menzel actually bagged a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, something that is not easily achieved by anyone in the business.
For now, Wicked fans would just have to wait for future announcements to see if Idina Menzel would be joining in the crew for the film version of the play.
[Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images]
