‘Crazy Rich Asians’ director to helm ‘Wicked’ movie

The film adaptation of hit broadway musical Wicked is still a go, and there’s a new director behind it – Jon M. Chu of Crazy Rich Asians and In The Heights.

Universal Pictures’ upcoming film originally had Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot) at the helm, but Daldry had to bow out in October 2020 due to scheduling conflicts. Chu confirmed his new role as director on February 3, 2021.

“Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap…”#WickedMovie @UniversalPics #StephenSchwartz #WinnieHolzman #MarcPlatt it’s time.
So… Twitterverse, who should we cast? pic.twitter.com/ZaAeAJTq9f

— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) February 2, 2021

No release date or cast has been confirmed.

Wicked’s live-action film adaptation was announced in February 2019. It will be written by screenplay writer Winnie Holzman and composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who also worked on the musical’s music and lyrics. Original producer Marc Platt will also be on the team.

The Broadway gem, which has been running since 2003, is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 fairy tale revisionist novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which was inspired by the 1939 MGM classic The Wizard of Oz film.

The Tony award-winning musical is a prequel from the point of view of besties-turned-enemies, Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West (Idina Menzel) and Glinda, The Good Witch (Kristin Chenoweth). – Rappler.com