James Cameron recently spoke about his involvement in James Cameron Wicked movie discussions, revealing that he was close to directing a film version of Wicked following his work on Avatar in 2009. The acclaimed Terminator and Avatar filmmaker shared his experiences as audiences are now watching Jon M. Chu’s take on Wicked: For Good, noting that he had engaged in early talks with Universal Pictures executives about bringing Gregory Maguire’s beloved story to the big screen.
Why Cameron Considered the Wicked Movie and Ultimately Walked Away
Cameron, whose filmography ranges from technological epics to iconic science fiction, is well known for his creative ambitions. During an appearance on The Town With Matthew Belloni podcast, he expressed a longstanding passion for Wicked, a story that originated as a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire and became a celebrated 2003 Broadway musical starring Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. Cameron stated,
“I mean, The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite [movies.]”
— James Cameron, Director. He further explained that the scale and spectacle of a Wicked adaptation appealed to him, emphasizing that he typically seeks out projects capable of achieving event status, a requirement for justifying the substantial budgets associated with his films.
However, Cameron eventually chose not to pursue the directing role because he felt he “couldn’t find the song.” Despite this creative hurdle, he left the door open for a future musical film, suggesting that audiences may yet see him venture into the genre.
The History of Hollywood’s Attempts to Adapt Wicked
James Cameron is just one of many prominent industry figures who have sought to adapt Wicked for cinema. The conversation dates back to when Marc Platt presided over production at Universal and first considered a film adaptation ahead of the now-iconic Broadway production. According to Platt,
“It had been optioned initially by Demi Moore’s company,”
— Marc Platt, Producer. He recounted in a 2024 Vanity Fair interview the early interest from notable actors, stating,
“People who had expressed an interest in the first six months included Whoopi Goldberg and Claire Danes… Salma Hayek had had some interest, and Laurie Metcalf.”
— Marc Platt, Producer.
Casting choices and directorial interest have shifted throughout the years. Platt revealed that several names came up regarding who might play Glinda, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Emma Thompson, and Nicole Kidman. Additionally, Suzanne Todd, who previously worked as Joel Silver’s assistant, noted,
“There was kind of a rumble for a minute that [director Robert Zemeckis] wanted to do it,”
— Suzanne Todd, Assistant Producer.
Casting Considerations and the Role of Elphaba
The question of who might best portray Elphaba or Glinda has long been debated. The discussion included Demi Moore as a leading contender for Elphaba, though there was no firm commitment on her part. Platt observed,
“I think on different days she could do either, but in the moment it was definitely for Elphaba,”
— Marc Platt, Producer. The story’s original author Gregory Maguire endorsed this idea, making a cultural reference to Moore’s memorable 1991 Vanity Fair cover, saying he could
“imagine Demi Moore naked and green on the cover of Vanity Fair”
— Gregory Maguire, Author.
The Broader Impact and What the Future Holds
The ongoing discussions around James Cameron’s potential involvement in a Wicked adaptation highlight the enduring allure of the story within Hollywood. While Jon M. Chu’s recent version continues to attract audiences, Cameron’s vision for a grand-scale musical remains one of Hollywood’s most intriguing “what could have been” scenarios. The persistent efforts by Universal Pictures, Marc Platt, and other producers and directors like Robert Zemeckis showcase the challenges and excitement of translating such a beloved property from page and stage to the silver screen. For now, Wicked’s cinematic legacy is evolving, but the fascination with potential adaptations and star-studded aspirations shows no sign of fading.
