Baz Luhrmann Reported to Direct WICKED Film

IMDB.com is reporting that direct Baz Luhrmann has been sized to direct the feature film adaption of the Broadway hit WICKED. Winnie Holzman, who wrote the book for the musical is said to write the screenplay as well. Variety recently reported that the film was in its early development stages, and clearly the next step has been reached. No schedule for filming or production has been officially announced.

Baz Luhrmann is an Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer. After theatrical successes, including the original stage version of "Strictly Ballroom" and the Broadway production of "La Boheme", Luhrmann moved into film, and has directed four so far: Strictly Ballroom (1992), starring Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice, Romeo + Juliet (1996), starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes,
Moulin Rouge! (2001), starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor and Australia (2008), starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

WICKED, the smash hit musical that the New York Times called, "one of the most successful shows in Broadway history" continues its long engagement at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through January 11, 2009. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED's music and lyrics is composed by Stephen Schwartz and includes a book written by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. WICKED is a production of Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Winner of 20 major awards including the Grammy® Award and three Tony Awards®, WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. "Wicked" tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

Photo: Baz Luhrmann with Hugh Jackman, photo copyright Retna Ltd.