JJ Abrams Possibly Directing ‘Wicked’ Musical Adaptation?

Does JJ Abrams have a musical in his future as a director? Abrams is currently gearing up to go into production on his new movie Super 8 and most think he will follow that up with the Star Trek sequel. But a new report says that JJ is also angling to helm the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical "Wicked".

 

Does JJ hear the sound of music?

Deadline New York reports that JJ Abrams is amongst the directors who have "met or otherwise thrown their hat in the ring" to discussions with the producers of the hit musical Wicked to discuss making a feature film adaptation. Wicked is a musical stage adaptation of the book "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" The musical about the Land of Oz from the witches point of view has been running on Broadway since 2003, with additional productions on tour and running (or having run) in ten other cities. Other directors said to be in the running are James Mangold (Knight and Day), Ryan Murphy (Glee) and Rob Marshall (Chicago). Of that list only Murphy and Marshall have significant musical backgrounds, although Abrams has musical ability and has even composed music for the themes of Alias, Fringe and Felicity.


Does JJ have a musical in his future? 

For now Abrams is preparing to direct Super 8, the mysterious film he wrote and is producing with Steven Spielberg. Super 8 is due in theaters in the summer of 2011 and will be his third feature as a director following Mission: Impossible: III (2006)and Star Trek (2009). Abrams is producing the Star Trek sequel which should be going into production next summer, and although many expect him to also direct, he has yet to confirm his plans following Super 8. More about Super 8 at www.super8-movie.com/. Here is the teaser trailer.

 

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Good news, but JJ, please don’t spread yourself too thin! I think that Trek benefits from your undivided attention.

This could be pretty cool, and Im glad he’s being considered. But how can he possibly direct Star Trek 2 if he lands this? His schedule is tight enough as it is for doing it. IMO he lands this, Star Trek 2 most likely has a different director, which is the vibe I’ve been getting for a while now anyway. We’ll just have to wait and see I guess.

James Mangold probably shouldn’t get it because “Knight and Day” isn’t supposed to be that great. Rob Marshall did a great job with “Chicago”, but made a mess with “Nine”. He changed it too much from the original show. And we all know about this JJ chap!

I’d reckon if the studio will let him away from the day job, Ryan Murphy will pobably get the gig. With “Glee” on TV, he’s the man of the moment, and the studio can advertise it ” from the creator of Glee!”.

Hmm….

I have very mixed feelings about this. On one hand, he does have great musical talent. On the other hand, I don’t know if I want to see 47 million lens flares during Defying Gravity.

I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say go for it!

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I can never get use to the next movie being called StarTrek 2, makes me think mainstream forgot about Wrath of Khan.

I’m sure he will be on board to direct Trek XII

2

Besides I will be watching the next Star Trek movie regardless of who directs it.

Funny how Hollywood keeps any new talent out, but then when anybody is finally recognized for being good, they get opportunities that would keep 10 people busy! SO STUPID!

Wicked is awesome. I hope JJ takes it.

I thought it was Mission Impossible 3? Oh well. Anyways, Super 8 so far looks interesting that I am wondering what was in that train car.

I don’t even want to hear RUMORS about a movie adaptation of “Wicked” unless Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth reprise their starring roles. You have been warned, Powers That Be.

If anyone has seen the extras on the Star Trek DVD then we know JJ Abrams has rhythm.

BUT…

I would go with the Glee guy, we know this chap has a lot of talent and just to echo “sonofspock1” the pulling power of Glee will just add to the already huge West End musical.

ALSO…

Star Trek: 2 – JJ Abrams will want to keep his options open with other directorial duties until he knows what he wants to do in terms of Star Trek.

2 words—–Lens Flares!

#5
Ok, Star Trek 12 will work. Either way it will be interesting to see if JJ is on board or not. From the few comments he has made, I think he is more into doing one thing big then moving on, but will wait and see. And I’ll also be watching it no mater who directs. (But I hope its JJ) :]

why do people think JJ is the only guy who can do Trek, It has had many different writers over the years.

7 – Harry, on the one hand, I’m sure JJ thrives on hyper-workloads. On the other, I’d be concerned there’ll be a sameness to all of the projects. No, I never want to see Chris Pine’s Kirk do the Tom Cruise summer blockbuster run for your life we’ve seen in soooo many movies… or ANY more shaki-cam movies… or Lost-esque plotting in ANYTHING else. Still, we ain’t gonna stop this train. Let’s just hope most of the projects turn out worthwhile.

Trek is more important JJ have you forgotten

See. I knew it.

15

CmdrR, we may not be able to stop this train, but we can at least comment on it as it goes whizzing past!

I saw this show on Broadway with Kristin and Idina, and twice in LA – it’s REALLY good. The problem with Abrams is that he just can’t help meddling and imposing his own “ideas” on source material. If anything ev er cried out for a faithful adaptaion, Wicked is it. It doesn’t need any “reimagining” or “updating” or twists.

Musicals are tricky things, even with the best source material. No one would dispute that John Huston was a great director, but he made a mess of the “Annie” movie. Is there any “proof of concept” demonstrating Abrams capaility with musicals?

As for casting, I love Chenowith, but with her age and several TV failures, you know she’ll be bypassed. I have no idea who could replace her. As for Idina’s role, I predict Hollywood will also bypass her, and instead go for the look-alike girl from “Glee”.

Leave Star Trek completely out of the title and call it something like “To Boldly Go” or “Where No One Has Gone Before” or “Space Seed” or whatever.

J.J. Abrams would make an excellent director for the ‘Wicked’ film adaptation. Hope he can still direct ‘Star Trek XII’. With all respect to people want a new title for ‘Star Trek XII’ to exclude the words ‘Star Trek’, the words ‘Star Trek’ SHOULD be in the title.

Combine the two projects and do a Trek musical! ;)

John M. Ford would approve.

No, no, no, no, NO, JJ, DON’T DO IT. Don’t sacrifice another wonderful musical/book to the film that will undoubtedly contort it into something considerably less wonderful than Kristin Chenowith up on stage singing so wonderfully. /dramatic heartbreak

I’m all for Abrams expanding his repetoire, but I’m suddenly very nervous — not about him, but about what’s going to happen to Wicked’s reputation. D: It’s in my top ten fave musicals — and I’ve seen a LOT.

(I stand by my position that Broadway’s “Sound of Music” was better than the movie — and I love Julie Andrews.)

Save the musicals! Stick to Star Trek, Abrams!

Is MI4 dead? After “Knight and Day,” Tom Cruise seems to be much less relevant. He’s about due for a Tarantino-esque revival-based-in-California-desert-with-Elvis-references treatment before he goes mainstream again.

Tom Cruise is such a lousy actor, let’s hope he’s gone for good!

Christopher Nolan directing Trek would be… fascinating!

But seriously, there are others who could direct Trek just as well or better than JJ. I’d be just as happy to see Nicholas Meyer or Jonathan Frakes do it as long as they have JJ’s budget.

Can I suggest Danny Boyle?

He’s my favorite director, right now and I love his genre-crossing talents.
I’d love to see how he handles sci-fi

Paramount and Bad Robot keep calling it Star Trek 2, so that’s good enough for me.

JJ must direct the next star trek if they want it to keep pace with huge block buster hits. Look at Transformers and Batman. They both had the same directors.

29

Yea Transformers would benefit from a better director though.

Modern franchise movie-making seems to thrive upon having the same writers/directors behind the camera each time around. At least get 2 Trek movies in JJ. Failing that, I nominate the guy who took over for the lion’s share of Abrams’ directing on Lost after he left, Jack Bender.

Del Toro gets my vote if JJ does wicked instead. Or Ridley Scott would be great.

I could always direct it…

30.

And better writers. Oh, wait….