The adaptation has been discussed since 2004, but was viewed by some fans as a mere rumour after news of the film had gone quiet. Universal Pictures, however, confirmed via Twitter that the motion picture is scheduled for release on 20th December 2019. Within 24 hours, their tweet has received over 5,000 likes and 7,500 retweets, with speculation already rife about who will play the lead characters and visible excitement from eager followers.
The musical phenomenon WICKED comes to the big screen. In theaters 12.20.19. pic.twitter.com/rFojgh56oH
— Universal Pictures (@UniversalPics) June 16, 2016
Wicked retells L. Frank Baum’s 1900 story The Wizard of Oz, popularised by the 1939 film, from the perspective of the witches, exploring their childhoods and how they came to take the titles of wicked and good witches. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the Broadway adaptation has entered its thirteenth year and is now the tenth longest-running Broadway show of all time, with the London show nearing its tenth anniversary and also taking its place in the top ten longest-running West End shows.
Director, Stephen Daldry, has been set to direct the adaptation for a number of years alongside producer Marc Platt, who also produces the stage show. With Broadway writer Winner Holzman and composer Stephen Schwartz also reuniting to work on the film, rumour is turning to who the casting directors will choose to take on the roles of Glinda and Elphaba. The original duo of Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel are fan favourites but Glee star Lea Michelle is also being heavily discussed by fans.
In a year when the film was initially planned to be released, it is hard to tell when further details of casting will be announced and how long we will wait in the UK to see the long awaited adaptation. In the meantime, the spellbinding West End show is booking until Saturday 29th April 2017 and the worldwide tour is visiting Bradford during July and August this year.