‘Wicked’ Film Adaptation Release Date Announced

The film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked finally has a release date. Universal Pictures announced Thursday the film will hit theaters Dec. 20, 2019.

Stephen Daldry, known for directing 2000’s Billy Elliot and 2008’s The Reader, will helm the film, and Into the Woods’ Marc Platt will produce. Stephen Schwartz, who composed the music and lyrics for the musical based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, is penning the screenplay along with the book writer of the musical, Winnie Holzman.

Wicked serves as a prequel to the events of the classic film The Wizard of Oz, telling the tale of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda the Good Witch before Dorothy arrives in Oz.

Casting announcements have not yet been made. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, of the Broadway adaptation in 2003. Wicked won three Tony Awards and reached the $1 billion mark in Broadway ticket sales earlier this year. It is currently in its thirteenth year on Broadway and is the 10th longest-running Broadway show of all time.

Menzel and Chenoweth recently reunited to record a performance of “For Good” from the show. Check it out below: