Who Should Star In 'Wicked'?

2004 is very excited right now: After rumor after rumor, that Wicked movie is actually moving forward. As in for real. As in a producer confirmed publicly that they've got a director and are eyeing a 2016 release date. What'd I tell ya about having patience for those Broadway big-screen adaptations? Seems like Into the Woods is paying off by once again confirming to Hollywood that musicals are good investments to make.

And actually, it's an Into the Woods producer who's done the confirming. Marc Platt spoke to Film Decider — the same folks who got us all psyched with those rumors a while back — and responded to their question about whether Wicked's on the slate for 2016 with this:

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.

[...] It’s a loose goal. But the bar is very high for the creators of Wicked.

Platt also says that Stephen Daldry's been attached to direct the film for the past "year or two." As for who'll be writing the script, that'd be Winnie Holzman, creator of My so-Called Life.

He also emphasized patience:

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.

That emphasis on quality's pretty reassuring. What I'm impatient for them to get to, though, is the casting. Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel are in their forties and not exactly of age to play students Elphaba and Galinda — so who else should play them?

Some preliminary options, only vaguely ignoring age conflicts (hit me up on twitter if you know of young'uns who might be good for the parts):

Anna Kendrick, Elphaba

I always knew she could sing, but Into the Woods convinced me she could belt the tough stuff.

Amanda Seyfried, Galinda

Les Mis and, yes, Mama Mia are proof she's got pipes.

Anne Hathaway, Either

Straining believability age-wise even more than Seyfried or Kendrick, but I mean.

Kristen Bell, Galinda

Another not-old but older-than-student-age one, but whatever. She showed her singing chops in Frozen, but she hasn't shown them in a live-action film in quite a while.

Nikki M. James, Either

If they go for the Bell age-bracket I'm throwing this Tony-winner into the ring.

Beyonce, Whoever She Wants To Be

I just feel obligated to mention Beyonce.

Evan Rachel Wood, Either

I've just really needed her in another musical since Across the Universe.

Demi Lovato, Elphaba

If she wants to go big screen, I welcome her belting here.

Emmy Rossum, Either

We've got to give her a post-Phantom Of the Opera chance after all that great work on Shameless.

Samantha Barks, Elphaba

If they go the Broadway route, Barks already has tested screen potential.

Taylor Swift, Galinda

I...don't actually want this, if only because Swift definitely does not have the vocal power of a Kristen Chenoweth or a Megan Hilty. But I'm gonna right away that she's gonna be rumored for this at some point.

Emily Blunt, Either

Also straining age bounds. I don't really care, though, cause she'd be awesome.

Harry Styles, Fiyero

This could get very silly. Still, I'm into it.

Images: Getty Images [14]