Universal Pictures will release the feature film adaptation of the Broadway hit ‘Wicked’ on December 22, 2021. The film is from director Stephen Daldry (‘Billy Elliot,’ ‘The Crown’), with Marc Platt producing.

The three-time Tony Award-winning stage musical was adapted from Gregory Maguire’s novel. So, the same people who adapted it for Broadway are doing it for the film. Thus, the screenplay is from Winnie Holzman, with input from Stephen Schwartz. Holzman wrote for the shows ‘Thirtysomething’ and ‘Roadies.’ Meanwhile, Schwartz is a three-time Oscar-winning composer and lyricist.

Universal originally placed ‘Wicked’ this year, on December 20. However, the studio used that spot for a different Broadway feature film adaptation: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats,’ directed by Tom Hooper (‘The King’s Speech,’ ‘Les Misérables’).

“Wicked’ will come out five days after 20th Century Fox’s ‘Avatar 3’, as well as untitled films from Disney (live-action) and Warner Animation.

Source: Variety