Jason KingBaz to Direct Wicked
November 29th 2008 13:55
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Baz Luhrmann, who I will forever call just Baz as it either humors or annoys Bryn is set to direct the famous book by Gregory Maguire and now worldwide famous Wicked: The Musical.
IMDB.com is reporting that direct Baz has been sized to direct the feature film adaption of the Broadway hit WICKED. Winnie Holzman, who wrote the book for the musical is said to write the screenplay as well. Variety recently reported that the film was in its early development stages, and clearly the next step has been reached. No schedule for filming or production has been officially announced. A release date of 2010 has been set.
Baz is an Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer. After theatrical successes, including the original stage version of "Strictly Ballroom" and the Broadway production of "La Boheme", Baz moved into film, and has directed four so far: Strictly Ballroom (1992), starring Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice, Romeo Juliet (1996), starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, Moulin Rouge (2001), starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor and Australia (2008), starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman (to see my controversial review of Australia click HERE.)
WICKED, the smash hit musical that the New York Times called, "one of the most successful shows in Broadway history" continues its long engagement at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through January 11, 2009 as well as in Melbourne plus I am sure in other countires around the globe. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED's music and lyrics is composed by Stephen Schwartz and includes a book written by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. WICKED is a production of Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.
Winner of 20 major awards including the Grammy® Award and three Tony Awards®, WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. "Wicked" tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.
The story of the author is a good one. Gregory Maguire amongst his amazing writing credits tends to find famous fairy tale stories we all know and love and writes the side story of some of the characters we all love or hate. In this one he explains why the Wicked Witch of the West is the way she is. He has also written Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (1999) - this one is self explanatory, Mirror, Mirror (2003) - a new look at Snow White story, Son of a Witch (2005) - the story of the Wicked Witch of the West's son and A Lion Among Men (2008) - which continues the Wizard of Oz theme and deals with the life of the lion.
I am thoroughly excited by this idea and think it will see Baz return to his Red Curtain style film making. Hopefully it will be better than Moulin Rouge however with as much detail put into it as all his films. I also think he works better in a studio and this film will be ideal and abundantly colorful to keep all Baz fans happy.
IMDB.com is reporting that direct Baz has been sized to direct the feature film adaption of the Broadway hit WICKED. Winnie Holzman, who wrote the book for the musical is said to write the screenplay as well. Variety recently reported that the film was in its early development stages, and clearly the next step has been reached. No schedule for filming or production has been officially announced. A release date of 2010 has been set.
Baz is an Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer. After theatrical successes, including the original stage version of "Strictly Ballroom" and the Broadway production of "La Boheme", Baz moved into film, and has directed four so far: Strictly Ballroom (1992), starring Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice, Romeo Juliet (1996), starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, Moulin Rouge (2001), starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor and Australia (2008), starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman (to see my controversial review of Australia click HERE.)
WICKED, the smash hit musical that the New York Times called, "one of the most successful shows in Broadway history" continues its long engagement at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through January 11, 2009 as well as in Melbourne plus I am sure in other countires around the globe. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED's music and lyrics is composed by Stephen Schwartz and includes a book written by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. WICKED is a production of Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.
Winner of 20 major awards including the Grammy® Award and three Tony Awards®, WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. "Wicked" tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.
The story of the author is a good one. Gregory Maguire amongst his amazing writing credits tends to find famous fairy tale stories we all know and love and writes the side story of some of the characters we all love or hate. In this one he explains why the Wicked Witch of the West is the way she is. He has also written Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (1999) - this one is self explanatory, Mirror, Mirror (2003) - a new look at Snow White story, Son of a Witch (2005) - the story of the Wicked Witch of the West's son and A Lion Among Men (2008) - which continues the Wizard of Oz theme and deals with the life of the lion.
I am thoroughly excited by this idea and think it will see Baz return to his Red Curtain style film making. Hopefully it will be better than Moulin Rouge however with as much detail put into it as all his films. I also think he works better in a studio and this film will be ideal and abundantly colorful to keep all Baz fans happy.
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Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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sorry, i just felt like i had to get in on the Baz bashing! haha
Comment by Wilson Pon
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You've made the right choice to write this article, Jason.
Comment by Jason King
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Wilson - yay to you!! Will keep you posted if I hear any more news on it. We will keep it from mean Morgan.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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im glad i saw the stage production too, i just thought the the girl playing Glinda had a really grating voice, it was just too brassy and brash . . . maybe Baz could cut down some of the singing an use a less abrasive accent (american twang) than the Australian production were using
i have no doubt that Baz will pick out some fabulous costumes!
Comment by Jason King
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I haven't seen the musial yet - I am too lazy to travel to Melbourne and look forward to it coming to Sydney one day.
And hell yes the costumes will be awesome. The book is very interesting and non musical if you ever want a good read. Speaking of, did u ever read that book I sent you? Lost Souls?
Comment by Morgan Bell
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