Exploring the Magic of “Wicked”: A Detailed Review

If “Wicked” had been one movie as originally planned, the subplot involving all the animals of Oz and the backstory on the magical book the Grimmerie were due to be left on the cutting room floor. Instead, Winnie Holzman — who wrote the book for the stage musical and co-wrote the screenplay for the smash-hit “Wicked” film — said that by expanding the adaptation into two parts, they now “have room for everything.”

Holzman pulled back the curtain on the long process of turning “Wicked” into a movie during TheWrap’s “Art of Adaptation” panel at Power Women Summit on Tuesday in Los Angeles alongside producer Lucy Fisher (whose “Gladiator II” is currently in theaters), producer Nina Jacobson (the “Hunger Games” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” franchises) and actress Ariana Madix (a recent revival of “Chicago”) for one powerhouse conversation.

The first part of “Wicked” is in theaters now and has amassed a whopping $365.9 million worldwide and counting, with the second part following in theaters next Thanksgiving. And while the first film has a running time that is almost equal to the entire stage musical’s run time, the decision to split the show into two movies has been far from a deterrent for audiences.

“It didn’t start out as two movies. Long, long ago it was going to be one movie,” Holzman explained. “It made a lot of sense to us at the time. We wanted very much not to cut any songs because we were fans and we love those songs. In fact, Stephen [Schwartz] wanted to write more songs. We wanted to go into more depth and add to the experience and give more. That was part of the fun of turning it into a movie.”

Among the things that they wanted to explore further were the Grimmerie (a magic spell book in the world of Oz), the role of animals in the story and, according to Holzman, “the two women themselves.” “All of that takes so much real estate,” Holzman said, “We started to come to an organic understanding about the story.”

It dawned on them that if they split the story into two movies, “we have room for everything we wanted. That was amazing freedom.” Holzman credits Universal for having the confidence to make two films. And Holzman said that the creative team had to find that confidence within themselves, as well.

“You want to feel this inner motivation. I was putting this out there in a good faith way and I believe in this, in terms of whatever happens with it being two [films], our whole creative team felt like it was the right decision,” Holzman said. “It felt good.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision to split “Wicked” into two movies has allowed for a deeper exploration of the story, characters, and magical elements that make the musical so beloved. With the first part already a massive success, audiences eagerly anticipate the next installment to continue the enchanting journey through the land of Oz.

FAQs

1. Why was “Wicked” originally planned as one movie?

Initially, “Wicked” was intended to be a single film to capture the essence of the stage musical. However, the creative team realized that splitting the story into two parts would allow for a more comprehensive exploration of the narrative.

2. What aspects of the story were expanded upon in the movie adaptation?

The movie adaptation of “Wicked” delves deeper into the Grimmerie, the role of animals in the story, and the complex relationship between the two lead characters. This expansion adds layers of depth to the familiar tale of friendship and betrayal.

3. How has the decision to split “Wicked” into two movies been received by audiences?

Despite originally being planned as a single film, the choice to create two parts of “Wicked” has been well-received by audiences, as evidenced by the success of the first installment. Viewers are excited to see the story unfold across multiple films.

4. What challenges did the creative team face in adapting “Wicked” for the big screen?

One of the main challenges faced by the creative team was finding a balance between honoring the beloved songs from the musical and expanding the story to fit the cinematic medium. The decision to split the adaptation into two movies allowed for a more thorough exploration of the source material.

5. How did the Power Women Summit contribute to the discussion of the “Wicked” adaptation?

The Power Women Summit provided a platform for the creative team behind “Wicked” to share insights into the adaptation process and the decision-making behind splitting the story into two movies. The panel discussion shed light on the creative choices that shaped the final product.

6. What role did Universal play in the development of the “Wicked” movie adaptation?

Universal played a crucial role in supporting the decision to create two films for the “Wicked” adaptation. Their confidence in the project allowed the creative team to fully explore the story and bring the magical world of Oz to life on the big screen.

7. How did the creative team approach the challenge of adapting a beloved stage musical into a movie?

The creative team behind the “Wicked” movie adaptation approached the challenge with a dedication to preserving the essence of the original musical while also expanding upon the story in new and exciting ways. The decision to split the adaptation into two movies enabled them to do justice to the source material.

8. What themes and elements of the “Wicked” story were highlighted in the movie adaptation?

The movie adaptation of “Wicked” delved deeper into themes of friendship, identity, and the consequences of power. By exploring the magical elements of the story and the characters’ relationships, the adaptation offered a fresh perspective on the familiar tale.

9. How did the decision to split the story into two movies impact the overall storytelling of “Wicked”?

Splitting the story into two movies allowed for a more expansive and detailed storytelling experience for “Wicked.” By giving each part room to breathe and explore different aspects of the narrative, the adaptation was able to capture the full scope of the world of Oz.

10. What can audiences expect from the second part of the “Wicked” movie adaptation?

Audiences can look forward to the continuation of the enchanting journey through Oz in the second part of the “Wicked” movie adaptation. With the groundwork laid in the first film, viewers can expect deeper character development, new revelations, and a satisfying conclusion to the epic story.

Tags

Tags: Wicked, Movie Adaptation, Musical, Fantasy, Power Women Summit