Wicked Movie Producer & Author Unveils 90s Actors in the Running for Glinda & Elphaba Roles (Featuring 1 Star Who Advocated for the Rights)

Wicked producer Marc Platt and author Gregory Maguire have recently disclosed intriguing details about various 1990s stars who vied for the iconic roles of Glinda and Elphaba in a potential film adaptation of Maguire’s acclaimed novel. Published in 1995, Wicked saw immense success, sparking a bidding war among prominent actors eager to bring the story to life on the big screen. This competition took place before Wicked transformed into the beloved musical that premiered on Broadway in 2003, captivating audiences worldwide.

According to an article in Vanity Fair, the project was originally optioned by Demi Moore’s production entity, Moving Pictures, after Platt joined Universal Pictures. In this initial proposal, Maguire envisioned Moore portraying Elphaba, humorously stating, “I used to say, I can imagine Demi Moore naked and green on the cover of Vanity Fair.”At that time, Moore held the title of Hollywood’s highest-paid actress, bolstered by her performances in films like A Few Good Men, Indecent Proposal, and Striptease.

Aside from Moore, other actors such as Whoopi Goldberg, Claire Danes, Salma Hayek, and Laurie Metcalf showed interest in the film adaptation, although it remains unclear whether they all aspired to play Elphaba. The casting discussions also included notable names like Michelle Pfeiffer, Emma Thompson, and Nicole Kidman as potential contenders for the role of Glinda. Despite Moore’s production company winning the bid, the project ultimately did not secure a green light and was eventually reimagined as a musical. Maguire reflected on this phase:

My agents in New York and in Hollywood recommended the Demi Moore proposal because her company had a preexisting relationship with Universal, and they said that will grease the skids on getting a potential project into production. It doesn’t promise it, but it means that you’ve already jumped over the problem of how to get somebody to pick up the phone at the studio. Demi Moore could make that happen. She had Universal on speed dial.

I saw a couple of screenplays, and I confess with all high regard to people who write screenplays—and that’s not me—I didn’t care for them much.

Implications for Wicked

A 1990s Film Adaptation Would Have Been Drastically Different

If a film adaptation of Wicked had been produced in the 1990s, it would have diverged significantly from the vibrant musical that audiences cherish today. Maguire’s novel conveys a darker and more complex narrative compared to the family-friendly tone intrinsic to the stage musical.

The performances of Moore, Goldberg, Kidman, and other notable actresses would likely have presented a radically different interpretation of Elphaba and Glinda than the portrayals currently offered by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera. The enduring box office success of Wicked can be attributed to multiple factors, including its lengthy Broadway run and its appeal to a diverse audience. A non-musical version of Wicked in the late 1990s would have lacked the universal appeal that contributes to its acclaim.

Reflections on Early Adaptation Efforts

Looking Back: A Fortunate Turn for Wicked

Ariana Grande-Butera as Glinda holding her wand in Munchkinland in Wicked

As a fan of both the Wicked novel and the Broadway musical, along with the upcoming 2024 film, it’s intriguing to consider how differently the narrative might have unfolded. While Moore, Goldberg, Kidman, and other stars of the 90s could have delivered memorable performances as Elphaba and Glinda, the decision to not proceed with this adaptation seems entirely justifiable. Ultimately, the Broadway musical, the highly anticipated 2024 movie, and the projected 2025 installment, Wicked: For Good, offer a broader outreach and engagement than a straightforward adaptation of Maguire’s original work could have achieved.

Source: Vanity Fair

Source | Images