What Movie Musicals Could Emerge After Wicked’s Success?

As a seasoned theater enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of Broadway from the front row, I can confidently say that the success of “Wicked” has opened a new chapter in musical film adaptations. The potential for bringing beloved stage productions like “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “The Book of Mormon”, and even the edgy “Avenue Q” to the big screen is tantalizingly close, much like the taste of a freshly baked pie dangling just out of reach.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I found myself in awe of “Wicked” as it continued to soar at the box office. Despite the release of “Moana 2,” this musical film held its own impressively, even strengthening its position as the third-biggest live-action musical domestically and the largest non-Disney live-action musical in North America.

Following the success of a production in Hollywood, imitators often emerge. After the record-breaking box office performance of ‘Avatar’, many films were given a 3D upgrade; ‘Shrek’ sparked a wave of sarcastic fairy tale movies. Similarly, with ‘Wicked’s’ triumph, we can expect more Broadway musicals to be adapted into live-action films. With numerous stage productions available for adaptation, let’s discuss which live-actions have the highest likelihood of gracing our screens post-‘Wicked’. Let’s start with one that has already made it to the big screen…

Guys and Dolls

Sony/TriStar Pictures has been attempting to create a fresh film adaptation of the musical “Guys and Dolls” for approximately six years. In just two months before the premiere of “Wicked”, director Rob Marshall, known for his work on “Chicago” and “The Little Mermaid”, was appointed to direct this feature. With such a renowned director involved, TriStar’s “Guys and Dolls” may have the potential to be the first significant Broadway musical film adaptation to begin production following the success of “Wicked”. However, it faces a steep challenge in achieving box office fame since there already exists a beloved “Guys and Dolls” movie, which means this remake might not have the same novelty appeal as “Wicked”, being the first time audiences see a cherished stage show in a new format.

Little Shop of Horrors

Back in early 2020, Warner Bros. had been preparing to fund a new adaptation of the musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” directed by Greg Berlanti and potentially starring Taron Edgerton, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, and Billy Porter as the voice of Audrey II. These plans for filming in summer 2020 were unfortunately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Taron Edgerton stating that the crisis ultimately led to the project’s cancellation. This situation indicates that Warner Bros. still holds a strong fascination towards “Little Shop of Horrors,” and given the box office success of “Wicked,” it might be able to rejuvenate Audrey II once more. Could MJ Rodriguez, who previously played Audrey on stage, possibly take up this role again?

Spamalot

The movie version of the stage play spinoff, “Spamalot,” based on Monty Python, has had a challenging journey. Initially, the 20th Century Fox/Disney merger halted the project’s first attempt. Later, reports suggest that the production at Paramount Pictures faced financial difficulties due to intervention from other members of Monty Python. Hopefully, the success of “Wicked” will bring an end to these behind-the-scenes complications and finally see “Spamalot” make it to the cinema.

Hadestown

There’s been very little news about the 2019 Broadway hit musical “Hadestown” (a Tony Award winner for Best Musical) moving to the big screen. As of now, it appears that the film rights have not been purchased by a major studio (at least not publicly); however, this reimagining of Greek mythology offers opportunities for stunning visuals and cinematic storytelling that can’t be achieved on stage. Moreover, “Hadestown” is a property designed for contemporary audiences, which might attract the younger moviegoers who are contributing to the popularity of “Wicked.

Fun Home

In early 2020, Jake Gyllenhaal obtained the rights for a movie adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s groundbreaking queer graphic novel memoir that had been turned into a musical. By 2024, production on this project was underway at Amazon MGM Studios as part of Gyllenhaal’s agreement with them. If Amazon MGM Studios is looking to create a successful and award-worthy musical following the success of Wicked, they might consider choosing Fun Home.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Discussing Amazon MGM Studios, they acquired the movie rights to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat around early 2023. Notably, the director of the hit musical Wicked, Jon M. Chu, is slated to helm this project. Given the success of family-friendly musicals such as Joseph and the impact of Wicked, it seems fitting for a cinematic adaptation to emerge in today’s context, considering that a big-screen version of the property has yet to materialize. However, the question arises: Will Amazon MGM Studios hold off until Chu has an open schedule for this production?

The Book of Mormon

In a casual nod within “Heretic,” the connection between the bawdy humor of “The Book of Mormon” and contemporary culture is undeniably strong. With Paramount Pictures enlisting “Mormon” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for a July 2025 live-action comedy featuring Kendrick Lamar, it’s merely a question of when the duo will be tasked with adapting “The Book of Mormon” for the silver screen.

Avenue Q

It’s been quiet in Hollywood circles about the prospect of Avenue Q hitting the big screen. However, it’s safe to assume that some minds in the industry have pondered this idea, considering the close connection between Avenue Q and Wicked (Q controversially won the Best Musical Tony Award over Wicked). If done sensitively, Avenue Q could become a comedic, yet poignant film, exploring the universal theme of emptiness within us all. However, if executed carelessly, an Avenue Q movie might simply resemble another disappointing adult puppet film like The Happytime Murders. With Wicked’s impressive box office earnings enticing studio executives, it’s only a matter of time before someone attempts to bring Avenue Q to the big screen.

Wicked is now in theaters with Part 2 set to follow next year.

2024-12-03 01:10