Wicked news
The big screen adaptation of the hit musical 'Wicked' is finally kicking into gear again.
The 'Wicked' movie could finally have its director.
Musical movie lovers will probably already be aware of Jon M. Chu, who's directing Lin Manuel-Miranda's 'In the Heights' for Warner Bros.
It's one of many titles hitting streaming service HBO Max and cinemas in the US on the same day.
It looks like Chu will now also direct 'Wicked' for Universal, according to a Deadline report.
Chu took to Twitter sharing the report and quoting lyrics from the song "Defying Gravity."
“Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap...”#WickedMovie @UniversalPics #StephenSchwartz #WinnieHolzman #MarcPlatt it’s time.
So... Twitterverse, who should we cast? pic.twitter.com/ZaAeAJTq9f— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) February 2, 2021
He wrote on Instagram: "Most of my life I have felt out of place, weird and different. I hid behind my camera because people liked to be filmed and I could disappear, I used my short films to wow people so I could feel valued. I felt GREEN in all the ways.
But when I saw Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s WICKED over 15 years ago as it was being workshopped in San Francisco I couldn’t unsee it.So to think that I have been invited to bring this timeless story to the biggest screens all around the world for people to experience with their family, best friends and total strangers…of all walks of life, ages, shapes and colors is like I’ve been invited to Oz by the Wizard himself.
"Thank you [producer] Marc Platt , Stephen, Winnie and Universal Pictures for trusting in me to translate this incredible story for all the fans and future fans of Elphaba and Glinda. I will protect this vigorously and hopefully bring a few new surprises along the way."
The hit musical is 17 years old and acts as a precursor to 'The Wizard of Oz'. It originally starred Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.
Stephen Schwartz wrote the stage show and he'll adapt the screenplay with Winnie Holzman.
The 'Wicked' movie has been in development since 2004.
Previously 'Billy Elliot' director Stephen Daldry was attached to helm it while Chu recently departed the Disney+ 'Willow' series due to production delays.
Casting for the movie adaptation as well as a release date have yet to be confirmed.