Universal Pictures has announced that the movie adaptation of the popular Broadway musical “Wicked” will be released in theatres on Dec. 22, 2021.
Stephen Daldry is directing the filmed version of the stage musical, which is being produced by Marc Platt, who is known for “La La Land,” “Mary Poppins Returns” and “Into the Woods.”
An untitled DreamWorks animated film that was originally scheduled for that date is now undated, and will receive a release date at a later time.
Winnie Holzman (“My So-Called Life”), who adapted the book for the stage from the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, and three-time Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, are collaborating on the screenplay.
“Wicked” serves as a sort-of prequel to the 1939 MGM film “The Wizard of Oz” and is a retelling of the story. It tells of how Elphaba, a green-skinned girl, goes through life and relationships in school while befriending Glinda the Good Witch, all before she becomes the iconic Wicked Witch of the West and right up until Dorothy drops in.
The two roles were popularized in the original Broadway cast by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.
In 2016, “Wicked’s” total Broadway revenue surpassed $1 billion, making it only the third Broadway show to ever pass that mark, joining “The Phantom of the Opera” and “The Lion King.” And in 2017, “Wicked” surpassed “The Phantom of the Opera” as Broadway’s second-highest grossing show behind “The Lion King.”
Universal originally had “Wicked” slated for a December 2019 release, but Universal filled that slot with another movie adaptation of a long-running stage musical, “Cats.”