James Cameron, well known for his blockbuster films, shared that he was once close to directing a musical adaptation of Wicked, revealing new details about his past plans involving the project. This revelation about James Cameron Wicked movie plans came to light during an interview, uncovering how nearly 15 years ago, just after the release of Avatar, Cameron contemplated heading to Oz instead of returning to Pandora.
Cameron’s Fondness for Wicked and The Wizard of Oz Influenced His Consideration
James Cameron, whose resume includes Titanic and the Avatar franchise, has a history of being attached to major films he later leaves, such as X-Men and Spider-Man. His fondness for The Wizard of Oz and the success of Wicked as a stage musical inspired him to consider bringing that story to life on screen. During an appearance on The Town with Mattew Belloni, Cameron discussed how the classic musical stood out to him, saying,
“I almost made Wicked back when. I really love the story. I mean The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies,”
Cameron told Belloni. The director explained that his involvement was around 15 years ago, shortly after Avatar’s historic release, but admitted that the reason he stepped away was simply that he “could not find the song.” When asked if he considered himself ready to make a musical, Cameron responded with some hesitation but confirmed The Wizard of Oz was his favorite, adding,
“favorite movie [The Wizard of Oz] is a musical.”
– James Cameron, Filmmaker.
How Cameron’s Version Might Have Differed from Other Projects
It is unsurprising that The Wizard of Oz is a deeply personal favorite for Cameron, as the influence of Oz can be seen in elements of Avatar, such as its fantasy world and the thematic idea of journeying to a place beyond imagination. Historically, Cameron has favored starting his own franchises instead of adapting existing ones, with only a few exceptions such as Aliens and True Lies. A Wicked directed by Cameron would have stood out, considering his unique visual style and capacity for world-building.
Bringing Wicked to cinemas took years and different directors were considered during its development. While Cameron’s interests predated even Universal Pictures’ announcement in 2011, J.J. Abrams, Rob Marshall, and James Mangold were all on the studio’s shortlist before Stephen Daldry took the helm, aiming for a 2019 release. However, multiple setbacks delayed production and Daldry eventually left in 2020. Jon M. Chu took over as director in 2021 and led the filming of Wicked and its sequel Wicked: For Good.
The Timing of Avatar and Wicked’s Production Journeys
Cameron’s discussions with Universal Pictures about a Wicked film occurred after Avatar’s unprecedented success. In that period, Cameron focused his energy on developing Avatar: The Way of Water, a process that spanned nearly a decade and involved significant innovation, such as motion capture filming underwater. If Cameron had chosen to direct Wicked, it likely would have pushed back the Avatar sequels even further.
Coincidentally, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Wicked: For Good are both set for release in 2025, with both expected to be major box office draws. This overlap in release years highlights what could have been a significant creative crossroads for Cameron had he chosen to pursue his James Cameron Wicked movie plans over expanding the Avatar universe.
Who’s Bringing Wicked to Life on Screen?
The long-awaited Wicked movie features a prominent cast. Cynthia Erivo steps into the role of Elphaba Thropp, while Ariana Grande portrays Glinda Upland. Both actresses bring star power and musical talent to a film that has been anticipated for years.
The journey of Wicked from stage to screen underscores the complex choices filmmakers like James Cameron face between chasing personal passion projects and developing existing cinematic worlds. As both the new entries in the Avatar franchise and Wicked’s film adaptation reach audiences, moviegoers will see the parallel results of creative visions realized after many years of anticipation.
