So, there's been rumours for years that there was going to be a
Wicked movie, but it was actually confirmed in 2010 that the film was in development, much to my excitement.
And then it went no where. I took to Googling for news every few days, and was sadly disappointed pretty much every few days.
I heard at one stage they were putting a script together (my first thought was "how long would that take? It's a musical- you already have a script!") and then that they were talking to directors.
So, it was apparently announced the other day that the movie
finally has a director- Stephen Daldry, who also directed
Billy Elliot, The Reader, and
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, with Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Now, I haven't actually seen any of those movies (the last 2 are on my list, I promise!) But I do know that all those movies (again, at least the last 2) were nominated or won Oscars. So, that's a good sign, right??
I've done a Google news search, and most of what I've read has been that Universal and the producers (also the producers of the musical, I'm pretty sure, which is another good sign!) are in
talks with Daldry, but I'm being optimistic!
So, let's say we have a director (yes, I'm saying "we"). Next step is the cast, right? Which is going to be the hardest part and
everyone is going to have an opinion on it.
I know a lot of fans are against having a movie in the first place. And I get that. Sitting in the theatre and seeing Elphaba rise in
Defying Gravity or (in most cases) seeing her rise from the floor in
No Good Deed, it's absolute magic. Can that same magic be brought across on screen?
So, of course it won't be as good as sitting in the theatre and seeing it live. But there are many
Wicked fans, or people who may want to see
Wicked, that for whatever reason, can't get to a theatre to see it.
Maybe it's
not in the country right now (I'm looking at you, Australian tour production- even if you
do say you're coming back). Maybe it's not planning on coming to your country at all!
Or maybe it
is in the country, but for money, distance or timing troubles, you can't go see it.
Should we be denied the chance to see it? In whatever format (besides crappy YouTube videos?), even if it
is a movie that lacks some of the magic of live theatre?
And honestly, I'd be beyond thrilled if they just filmed a show like they did for the 25th anniversary of
Phantom of the Opera or
Love Never Dies, and released
that in cinemas! You still get the magic of the theatre- but on a movie screen!
But back to the cast, I know many, many,
many people (in real life, Facebook, Fanfiction.net, and Twitter) who are adamant the only people who could be cast are the Original Broadway Cast.
And I get those feelings, I do- absolutely. As the original cast, they all suit their characters perfectly. We (the fans) know that they can sing and act the roles.
But here's the thing:
- Elphaba and Galinda are supposed to be university students. Early twenties top. Idina and Kristin are in their 40s. On stage, the age gap doesn't matter so much. In film, it does. I've heard some suggestions that Lea Michele (Rachel on Glee for those who live under rocks :P) could be Elphaba in Act 1, and Idina in Act 2. But the gap between acts is only a few years, so that still wouldn't cover it.
- As much as I love Idina as Elphaba, she's not my favourite (she's number 2, right behind Jemma Rix. Eden Espinosa is number 3, in case you were wondering). And I think Kristin is a great Glinda, (although I'm not a huge Kristin fan- sorry, guys!) but Kristin isn't even in my top 3 Glindas (it's Megan Hilty, Suzie Mathers, Lucy Durack). This could have something to do with the fact I have never seen Idina and Kristin live, YouTube does not do justice.
- I have been accused before of not being a "real" Wicked fan, because I dare to suggest that other people could play the roles and do it well. But my point is, there have been other amazing Elphaba and Glinda's (and the other roles too).
Honestly, I hope the producers and directors make the decision and cast theatre actresses- preferably ones that have been in the show before! Even unknowns- fans will go see the movie because it's Wicked and it will spread via word of mouth, just like the musical did when it started!
I feel like even fans who are against the movie will go see it, just so they can come out and say "I told you that was a bad idea."
They could get away with casting big, Hollywood names (if Universal feels they absolutely have to have famous people in there) for some of the smaller roles (i.e. The Wizard- he has ONE song!). But for Elphaba and Glinda especially, I feel they need to cast the roles with people who can sing and act it- not just famous people that will get audiences to buy tickets.
(I'm slightly biased to champion Jemma Rix for Elphaba... well, pretty much the whole Australian cast, haha).
And I know there are many people who say if we can't have Idina for Elphaba, what about Lea Michele.
I think Lea could definitely sing the role (very important), but I don't really see her as Elphaba. You never know, they could cast her and she could surprise us all, but I don't see it. And don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Lea. But I'm not going to hope she gets it, just because I love her, Glee, Wicked and Elphaba.
One suggestion for Fiyero that made me laugh was Zachary Levi (Flynn from Tangled). One suggestion that made me cringe was Taylor Swift for Glinda (Um, no). And one I've heard a lot is Anne Hathaway for Nessarose (which I think I'd be okay with, I'm just wondering if she'd be too old... but Nessa doesn't sing a lot, and the little she does, I think Anne could do it).
So, are you for or against the Wicked movie? Who do you think should be cast?
