After more than two decades of anticipation,Wicked: Part Oneis finally here!
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is a girl born green and treated differently because of it.
The two become best friends until Oz proclaims Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West.
Image via Universal Pictures
The answer is about as complex as the witchy backstoryWickedtells.
He told SFGATE, “It was like a little bell went off in my head.”
“I knew I had to do it.
Image via Universal
And I knew it had to be a musical,” Schwartz said, per SFGATE.
While this would spell death for most shows,Wickedproved to becritic-proof.
The show consistently sold out and became an immediate classic with audiences.
Image via Universal
It also garnered several Tony Award nominations.
Perthe Chicago Tribune,Wickedwas nominated for 10 Tonys, including Best Musical.
It became a star vehicle for original witchesIdina MenzelandKristin Chenoweth.
Image via Universal Pictures
He also hinted that fans should expect a few changes from the source material.
TheWickedmovie seemed to finally be underway.
However, a group of musical felines took the place of Oz’s witches.
The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Per Variety,Wickedhad been slated for December 20, 2019.
Interestingly, Chu had a love for the project that dated back to before the show hit Broadway.
As Chu toldthe New York Times, hes been waiting to directWickedfor 20 years.
Chu first saw the show in San Francisco during its pre-Broadway preview run.
I remember thinking, this is the most cinematic show Ive ever seen, Chue recalled.
Someones going to make a great movie out of this.
Though he was a film student at the time, he always hoped to be that director.
Ive been chasingWickedfor 20 years.
Finally, there came a glimmer of hope, when Universal inquired about his availability for an undisclosed project.
He asked: I asked them, does it rhyme with Pick-ed?
And indeed it did.
But delays and departures werent the only reason behind the films long-stalled development.
Marc Platt recalled: turning down many, many directors.
But it wasnt because they werent wonderfully talented.
I just wasnt ready to make a movie.
But when the time was finally right, Platt reached out to Chu.
However, Chu still had his doubts.
But thats what they dont know about me.
I know how to get a movie made.
The first question was:one movie or two?
I told them, we cant debate about this every meeting, so lets make a decision and commit.
If we want to change it later, thats fine.
Indeed, Chu proved to be the leader the film.
Production wrapped on the nowtwo-part adaptationin January 2024.
With such a warm reception thus far, the long-awaited adaptation is eyeing awards glory.
But, finally,the first entry in the two-part saga is here!
The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
