Platt: “Yes. But it’s not set in stone. 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.”
He went on to explain that the reasons for the lengthy wait have to do with getting the project exactly right. So many stage-to-screen adaptations have fallen flat because of poor structure, and it seems Platt won't move forward on Wicked until everything is perfect...
Platt: “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."
Working on the screenplay is Winnie Holzman, writer of the musical's award-winning novelization. She'll be penning the untold story of the three witches from Oz, and hopefully in a way that's more engaging than Oz the Great and Powerful. Platt also confirmed that Daldry is still his choice for director...
Platt: “It’s 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.”
