After waiting forever for the Wicked movie adaptation, the composer dropped an even bigger bombshell: the adaptation will feature four new songs. That means the possibility of discovering another anthem like “Defying Gravity.”
The musical’s composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz revealed the news at Comic-Con, adding that one of the four songs will be an old one that was removed from the Broadway production. He didn’t name the song, but fans are guessing it’s “Making Good,” an Elphaba number that was replaced by “The Wizard and I” because of its mild nature.
According to Schwartz, the Stephen Daldry-directed adaptation is on track to reach its December 20, 2019 release. The people behind the musical are returning for the adaptation, like book-writer Winnie Holzman, who is writing the screenplay, and producer Marc Platt, who is also producing the film.
Wicked is based on the Gregory Maguire book of the same name, and tells the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, a lonely witch left out of groups because of her green skin, and Glinda, a popular witch. Elphaba is disillusioned by the corrupt government of the Wizard, and she goes on a quest to stand up against evil. Wicked is set before L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and is supposed to be the “origin story” of the Wicked Witch of the West.
It was adapted to the stage in 2003, directed by Joe Mantello with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The original run starred Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, and won seven Drama Desk awards, three Tonys, and one Grammy. After 13 years, it is now the 10th longest-running Broadway show of all time.
In 2014, Menzel revealed that she and Chenoweth were told that they were too old to reprise their roles for a possible adaptation (Elphaba and Glinda are college students). She also joked that she could play Elphaba’s mother.
Coincidentally, the musical is set to return to Manila next year after a successful run in 2014. Elphaba and Glinda are going to be popular again!
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