Universal Moves Forward With WICKED Film Adaptation; Stephen Daldry to Direct?

Is WICKED back on track for the silver screen? According to a report today from Deadline.com, Universal Pictures, which is producing the film, is taking steps forward.

The company is seeking Stephen Daldry to helm the big screen adaptation of the long-running musical. Daldry - who has received Academy Award nominations for his work on BILLY ELLIOT, THE HOURS and more - most recently received a 2011 nomination for EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE.

Winnie Holzman, who penned the musical's book based on Gregory Maguire's novel, will reportedly also write the screenplay. The film has been talked about for some time, but has been slow in production; no casting or further members of the creative team have been announced.

WICKED, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Disney’s Enchanted, Academy Award winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Holzman (“My So Called Life,” “Once And Again” and “thirtysomething”), is based on the 1995 best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire.

The musical is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who’s Tommy, How To Succeed…). WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.