Stephen Daldry to direct ‘Wicked’ film adaptation?
Gay director Stephen Daldry has reportedly signed on to helm a film adaptation of hit musical Wicked.
The show – which opened on Broadway in 2003 and in the West End in 2006 – has long been rumoured for a big screen remake.
Speaking to Film Divider, producer Marc Platt revealed that planning for a film is in the early stages, and a potential release could come as soon as 2016.
Updating fans, Mr Platt said: “The process of developing that movie has begun, we’re working on it, and whether it makes 2016 or not, I’m not so sure. It’s a loose goal. But the bar is very high for the creators of Wicked.
“Our show is still so strong everywhere, and we just set a record in both London and Edinburgh last week, and in Los Angeles, and we did on Broadway.
“Audiences enjoy that show so much that we are intending to move forward on the movie but aren’t going to do so until we’re satisfied in the material we have as a screenplay, and that the film will be every bit as satisfying as what we have on the stage.”
The producer e also revealed that gay director Stephen Daldry – who directed films including ‘Billy Elliot’ and ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close’ – is attached to the project, while original book writer Winnie Holzman is shaping the screenplay.
He said: “[The director is] Stephen Daldry. He’s been on for a year or two. But it’s in process. 2016 is the goal, but I don’t know whether we’ll make that goal or not.
“We will make the movie, but like I said, the bar is really high.
“We’re going to scrutinise our work on the screenplay and our prep on the movie, and when we feel like it’s ready, okay.
“We’re not going to shoot a release date is what I’m saying. It’s in the works, it’s not in a rush.”
“It took 27 years to make Into the Woods into a film from its original stage production, and 30 years with Les Mis. Some things take time for a reason.”
Stephen Daldry is married to Lucy Sexton, with whom he has a daughter – but still identifies as a gay man.
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