Wicked...musical to movie?

[ASUADPi]

I've read it on a couple of websites, so who knows if it is true or not....

imdb.com
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262426/

-actually has Kristen and Idina and "rumored"

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Wicke...ovie-9530.html

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Now if I hadn't been able to see the play I would be thrilled for it to be in movie form. The play was just amazing. I can't even put into words how wonderful it was. LOL.

But on the other hand I think a movie would be great for the people who would love to see Wicked but don't have the means (money) or opportunity. I was lucky this time. The first time Wicked came to Phx it was here for a week (like in 2006) but it sold it in one day. This time around I deliberately bought season tickets so that I could get my Wicked tickets literally a year ago (I saw the play on 7/12). I know people who would have loved to have seen it this time around but couldn't justify the 75 bucks I paid for balcony seats (and those suck).

I kind of see both sides of the coin.

Although it is fun to read that some people are like "you have to cast famous people". I guess I'm picky but when I see a musical I kind of, hmm, want people who can CARRY A FRICKIN TUNE!! This is why I have NO desire to see Mamma Mia. I don't care if Pierce isn't singing long the fact that they have the man in a musical when he can't sing is just an atrocity (impo).


Thoughts?
Comments?

[Smile_Awhile]

This has been rumored since (roughly) late 2004. It has gained some legs in the past few years with rumors over directors and such, but it's still pretty questionable.

I really don't know how I feel about this. As cheesy as it is, Wicked lead me to my current career path (acting). It was the first show that I became obsessed with, and it led me to peruse theatre myself. It would need an amazing screenplay. And they better not screw it up like they did with Rent. But I feel it would really be difficult to translate. Really- can you imagine Defying Gravity with closeups? The grandeur of that song comes from the sheer spectacle that you gain in a theatre- a lot of that would be lost on the screen.

As much as I love Idina and Kristin, I don't know if they're young enough to play these parts anymore. They were pushing it during the original run- now, five years later, they're both in very different places. I bet that they'd love to get away from the show, unless they are both desperate for parts. And, because Idina is pregnant and Kristin is an Emmy nominee, I don't believe that's the case for either of them. Personally, I'd love to see some unknowns as the leads. However, you could gain major star power by casting some of the other (smaller) roles with big names- the Wizard, Madame Morrible, ect.

But, that would require a screenplay to already been written. Which I don't believe it has.

[Still BLUTANG]

i hope this isn't true, i still haven't seen the play!

[twinkle555]

I hope this IS true..I read the book but dont have the cash for the play.

[groovypq]

^^^Same here.

I never got to see Rent on Broadway, either, but I loved the movie. (I know the purists are probably shuddering right now...)

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by groovypq

^^^Same here.

I never got to see Rent on Broadway, either, but I loved the movie. (I know the purists are probably shuddering right now...)

the movie was good, but I think it was a bad idea for them to use the original cast. They were all too old I think to play the roles they had.

[Kansas City]

Originally Posted by twinkle555

I hope this IS true..I read the book but dont have the cash for the play.

I read the book first (along with most of Maguire's other books) and was somewhat disappointed in the musical. Not that it was a bad musical but because there was just so much that had to be left out or edited to turn such a deep story into a musical production. I'm not sure how I would feel about a movie based on the musical. I think that I would prefer to see a movie based on the book. Allow the musical to remain more entertaining and try to fit more of the symbolism and social commentary into a movie.

Also, I totally understand the cash issue. I spent $90 on a ticket to go alone because I didn't expect my frineds to pony up the money to see it with me.

[IlovemyAKA]

I saw the book in Hastings today & considered getting it. I haven't seen the musical either, but it's touring here this month. Hmmm...

For you fans, should I settle for the book or try to get to the musical? The tickets are reasonable for Austin, TX.

[christiangirl]

^^^Both? I tried to read the book but only made it halfway through. It's very deep and political and a lot of it went over my head. I'm going to see the musical on my birthday! I'd never spend that much money on myself otherwise, but it's a special day. Anywho, I think KC is right, a movie would be great based on the book, but based on the musical would be a no. But if Defying Gravity isn't in the movie, people will be pissed because that's what they associate Wicked with. It's a Catch 22.

Originally Posted by groovypq

^^^Same here.

I never got to see Rent on Broadway, either, but I loved the movie. (I know the purists are probably shuddering right now...)

LOL ditto. I actually hated the movie until "Over the Moon." I laughed so hard I fell off the bed. I've been in love with the movie ever since.

[PrettyInPink777]

Soror, Read the Book ...then go see the Play! You will appreciate the storyline so much more when you 'get' the backstory on character development and the subtexts to the plot. The book is really wonderful

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by IlovemyAKA

For you fans, should I settle for the book or try to get to the musical?

What others have said. As is often the case with plays/movies based on books, they are quite different, at least in mood and details. I heard a reviewer once compare them to Mozart -- the book is Don Giovanni (ie, heavy, dark, layers of meaning), while the show is more Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) (ie, lighter and funnier, but still meaningful and thought-provoking).

I would read the book first, though.

[minDyG]

Lovelovelove the book, lovelovelove the musical soundtrack (I have the original Broadway cast recording downloaded on my computer), and am DYING to see the musical in person...so, yes, I would LOVE a film adaptation! I'm a big musical theatre dork. And I love movie musicals.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by Kansas City

I think that I would prefer to see a movie based on the book. Allow the musical to remain more entertaining and try to fit more of the symbolism and social commentary into a movie.

Yes, this. A movie based on the book rather than the musical would be a much better fit.

[IlovemyAKA]

I'm sold. I'll check it out

[IlovemyAKA]

I found the book at Half Price Books for $3.98+tax!