A film adaptation of “Wicked” was nearly made decades ago. It almost starred Demi Moore as the Wicked Witch of the West. This early version was a non-musical project developed in the mid-1990s.
According to Vanity Fair, Moore’s production company secured the rights. The project was based directly on Gregory Maguire’s original novel, not the later stage musical.
The Bidding War and Initial Development
Multiple Hollywood heavyweights wanted the film rights. Producer Marc Platt confirmed the project was at Universal when he joined in 1996. Whoopi Goldberg also actively pursued the rights to star in the film.
Maguire recalled interest from other major stars. Claire Danes and Salma Hayek were among those who expressed early interest. This created a competitive environment for the property.
From Dramatic Film to Global Musical Phenomenon
Screenwriter Linda Woolverton drafted a strong script. Woolverton, known for “The Lion King,” reportedly suggested adding songs. This idea planted the seed for a musical adaptation.
The project’s shift to a musical changed its trajectory. Composer Stephen Schwartz saw the potential and brought the idea to Platt. This pivot ultimately led to the record-breaking Broadway show and the new two-part movie.
The journey to the “Wicked” movie was long and winding. The film’s path from a dramatic 1990s vehicle to a global musical event shows how major productions evolve over time.
Thought you’d like to know-
Who originally owned the rights to the Wicked movie?
Demi Moore’s production company, Moving Pictures, secured the film rights in the 1990s. They developed the project at Universal Pictures as a non-musical dramatic film. Moore intended to play the role of Elphaba herself.
Which other actresses were considered for the cast?
Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer were top contenders for Glinda. Emma Thompson was also on the wish list for the role of the Good Witch. The producers never formally cast the part before the project transformed.
Why did the original movie not get made?
The project underwent numerous script revisions over several years. The suggestion to turn it into a musical fundamentally altered its direction. This creative shift eventually led to the Broadway production instead.
How does the new movie differ from the 1990s version?
The modern “Wicked” film is a direct adaptation of the Broadway musical. The 1990s version was a non-musical based solely on Maguire’s darker novel. The core story remains, but the presentation is vastly different.
Who wrote the screenplay for the early adaptation?
Linda Woolverton, famed for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” wrote a key draft. Her experience with animated musicals influenced her approach. She was the first to seriously propose incorporating songs into the film.
জুমবাংলা নিউজ সবার আগে পেতে Follow করুন জুমবাংলা গুগল নিউজ, জুমবাংলা টুইটার , জুমবাংলা ফেসবুক, জুমবাংলা টেলিগ্রাম এবং সাবস্ক্রাইব করুন জুমবাংলা ইউটিউব চ্যানেলে।
