Director Info on Wicked and Jersey Boys Movies

[Fan2]

EXCLUSIVE: While Disney is at Comic-Con today to unveil some details on its Sam Raimi-directed Oz: The Great And Powerful, Universal is finally moving forward with its screen adaptation of the cash cow musical Wicked. I’m told that the studio is courting Stephen Daldry to direct the film, and I’m optimistic that he’ll make a deal. At the same time, Jon Favreau is in negotiations to direct Jersey Boys. Both Wicked and Jersey Boys are among the top-grossing Broadway musicals on a weekly basis.

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Deadline Article

[BwayEqs]

Well, this is exciting! I have anticipating a WICKED movie for a long time. Will it include all the same songs from the Muscial?

[Jordan Catalano]

No. It will include a brand new score that's being written by Randy Newman.

[BrodyFosse123]

... and it is being developed as an animated TV movie for ABC Family, starring BUNHEADS star Sutton Foster and Kelly Bishop (as the voice of Madame Morrible).

[JohnyBroadway]

I'd like to see Maggie smith tackle morrible.

[Jordan Catalano]

So would I. I bet she could beat the shlt out of her.

[Overkill]

I still think WICKED should be an animated film. It could be beautiful, and the score lends itself to animation very well already. Also, I think that if it's going to be live action, Ron Howard should be directing. Just my two cents.

[aasjb4ever]

If the Jersey Boys news is true, I’m so proud for Jon Favreau! I’ve loved his work for the past several years, so this would be a feat of his.

[Jonwo]

It'll likely be live action but an traditional animated film would be cool, wonder what will changed and cut, I've always thought A Sentimental Man could easily be cut and changed to dialogue or they add a new song like they did with Hairspray and Evita.

[latitudex1]

Wicked is filled with filler, especially the first half. Stephen Daldry could cut or reduce half the score and nobody would mind much.

[onedaymore]

Jersey Boys could be fantastic. Especially with the right casting.
Also, let the Elphie-Galinda internet debates begin once again....

[BwayEqs]

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

The official IMDB Wicked movie link. Hardly any info yet though, since it is still very early in the process. This page says that it is set to be released sometime in 2014. No intel on casting yet, but I think Sutton Foster should be Elphaba.

[Jordan Catalano]

LOL. Yeah. That'll pack in the theaters.

[bwayphreak234]

I swear to god if those psycho fans rally for Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel to play the roles, I will kill someone.

[Jonwo]

I reckon they'll go for a November/December release date rather than summer, if the movie is greenlit I don't expect it to be released until 2014/2015 at the earliest.

[EricMontreal22]

Ron Howard should never direct another film again.

[BwayEqs]

I disagree with those who say it should be animated. This musical delivers such a strong, empowering message, in my opinion it would be more succesful done by live human beings.

[EricMontreal22]

Animation can't deliever a strong, empowering message? I'd hate to see it done with CGI, but I think a traditionally animated film could be great. Of course that would take about 6 years with all the pre-planning required, so...

[bwayphreak234]

I disagree with those who say it should be animated. This musical delivers such a strong, empowering message, in my opinion it would be more succesful done by live human beings.




A strong, empowering message successfully done with animation....

[Kad]

I would be shocked if it's done by 2014.

There only news so far is that they want Stephen Daldry. That means nothing.

The last news we got was in 2010, when it was said they were talking to directors.

Which is the same as this news.

[BwayEqs]

Bwayphreak, you really think UP has a strong and empowering message? Pfft.

[Kad]

Yes.

Oscar-award winning animated film UP has a strong and empowering message.

And it's a lot more sophisticated than Wicked's... "prejudice is bad, friendship is good, be yourself, etc." generic empowerment, after school special brand of wisdom.

[bwayphreak234]

Kad- Word. You took the words right out of my mouth!

[Kad]

...in fact, WALL-E, Ratatouille, all three Toy Story films, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles are all genuinely moving, emotional pieces of art.

In fact, any of Hayao Miyazaki's films are, too (such as Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke).

Or a good portion of Disney's films.


You know what? Just shut up.

[EricMontreal22]

Not to mention a half dozen or so Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli animes, to name just some other animated films that fit.

[Kad]

Glad to see we had the exact same thought at the exact same time, Eric. I just rewatched Spirited Away the other night.

Damn.

I would be first in line to see a Miyazaki directed animated film of Wicked. No lie.