James Cameron Reveals He Nearly Directed Wicked Musical Film

James Cameron almost directed the movie adaptation of Wicked. The acclaimed filmmaker shared this surprising revelation during a recent podcast interview. He confirmed he was in talks for the project roughly fifteen years ago.

Cameron expressed his deep love for the original Wizard of Oz story. He met with Universal Pictures to discuss the potential film. Ultimately, he decided to step away from the director’s chair.

Why Cameron Stepped Away From The Wicked Project

Cameron explained his primary reason for leaving the project. He stated he simply “could not find the song.” This creative hurdle proved too significant to overcome at the time. His vision for the musical did not align with what he was seeking.

This detail was reported by The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast. The director’s passion for musicals is genuine, with The Wizard of Oz being a personal favorite. His departure allowed the project to eventually find its way to Jon M. Chu.

A Musical Future for the Sci-Fi Director?

Despite the Wicked outcome, Cameron remains open to directing a musical. He acknowledged that his favorite films are often musicals. This leaves the door open for a future project that captures his imagination correctly.

His current focus, however, is on the sci-fi epic Avatar franchise. The next installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is scheduled for release on December 19. According to Reuters, the film is deep in production.

The revelation that James Cameron nearly directed Wicked adds a fascinating footnote to cinematic history. His creative process ultimately led him down a different path, shaping the films we know today. The story highlights the unexpected connections between major Hollywood projects.

Dropping this nugget your way-

Q1: Why didn’t James Cameron direct Wicked?

He stepped away because he could not find the right song for his vision. This creative block occurred during early development talks. The project did not move forward with him as director.

Q2: Who ended up directing the Wicked movie?

Jon M. Chu ultimately directed the two-part Wicked film adaptation. Chu is known for directing Crazy Rich Asians. The movies feature a star-studded cast including Ariana Grande.

Q3: What is James Cameron’s next project?

His next project is Avatar: Fire and Ash. The film continues the story of his blockbuster sci-fi franchise. It is set for a December 19 release.

Q4: Does James Cameron like musical films?

Yes, he has stated he loves musicals. The Wizard of Oz is one of his all-time favorite movies. He remains open to directing a musical in the future.

Q5: When did Cameron almost direct Wicked?

This happened approximately fifteen years ago. He was in discussions with Universal Pictures at the time. The project was in its very early stages.