Disney artist makes a "Wicked" proposal

[Chernabog_Rocks]

Would Glinda become an honorary Disney princess?

I think it'd be very interesting for Wicked to join the Disney canon. I would want them to focus on the darker aspects of the play, maybe incorporating more of the novel into it. The musical is a bit light and fluffy, even though it tries to deal with heavy issues.

Ugh good god no.

I agree that Wicked would make for an interesting addition to the Disney canon. It wouldn't be the first time Disney has dabbled in that universe I believe, or at least thought about it. However there are other films I'd prefer to see first, Aida and the Snow Queen mainly.

[pinkrenata]

Every other song can either be told through dialogue ("Something Bad"), a simple look ("I'm Not That Girl"), or ends up not having much relevance to the main storyline ("Popular").

Awww, but "Popular" is the most charming song in the show. And also one of the most <i>popular</i>. (Ha. Ha.)

[monorail91]

However there are other films I'd prefer to see first, Aida and the Snow Queen mainly.

I agree. I've been waiting for an Aida movie for years, even though by now it's probably unlikely...

I've heard rumors that they want to make a movie version of the Beauty and the Beast musical...I hope not!

[Disneykid]

Awww, but "Popular" is the most charming song in the show. And also one of the most <i>popular</i>. (Ha. Ha.)

I know; it's one of my favorites, too. I would stick it in the end credits either as just as a song or as a small, self-contained sequence that plays alongside the credits (think Toy Story 3).

[Disney Duster]

Chernabog, I already pointed out how Disney tried their hands in this, you skipped my ost in the first page...Disney also did the one Oz book Return to Oz, of course.

You know, since Return to Oz was part of Disney, as long as they kept that kind of darkness (but Disneyed the movie up as much as they could, with Gregory McGuire's approval) then I really could see, and like, this happening!

Disneykid, that is actually an almost perfect looking list to me. However, the problems of "Popular" and "I'm Not That Girl" do arrive (I also love "No Good Deed" but for some reason no one realizes how awesome and necessary that song is).

You know how Tangled actually has a lot of little songs, or snippets of songs? And you know how Alice in Wonderland has the most songs than any Disney film? Well, maybe looking to those, we could fit in some of these other important songs!

"Popular" I feel is a must, even if it's cut down, because it builds Glinda and Elphaba's relationship (the backstory and all that about how Elphaba feels about her father and her sister is dialogue that must also be in, too). I completely forgot Elphaba got dressed up after that, I actually thought she completely disregarded the make-up part, so really I think this song is important because of the friendship it builds.

I don't think there's anything wrong with singing replacing where dialogue would go in the usual mainstream animated film. But if that wouldn't work either, maybe Glinda could start trying to sing the song, and perhaps even only start with "Popular, you're gonna be" (and only dialogue leading into that), and Elphaba could cut her off after a fair amount, not wanting to be made up (in the book, she just put on a pretty hat, then took it off rather quickly). And then Glinda must obligatorally finish the song after she leaves or something.

Elphaba could just sing one or two lines of "I'm Not that Girl" as a very little song, with a lot of melody in the background for the rest, like you said. Then Glinda could even sing that one line she does, and it would kind of fit.

I see "No Good Deed" as really important because it shows how Elphaba truly does decide to become the Wicked Witch of the West. I mean, it makes her acting so wicked to Dorothy and finally looking so evil make sense. It makes less sense without the song.

Another option I have is, unfortunately, cutting "One Short Day" and replacing it with "Popular". And to be honest, I think it's so easy to see why Glinda and Elphaba hate each other, that we don't need "What is this Feeling?", because it's more important and needed to have songs that show their relationship building than how much they don't want to build a relationship with each other, lol. I do understand how I could be wrong on this and you may see "What is this Feeling?" as an actual start of the building, but this is what I think for now, and so I would replace that song with "No Good Deed".

After saying all that...I can see how "One Short Day" actually does build Glinda and Elphaba's relationship as "two good friends" and "two best friends", but at least with my way, we have "Popular", the song that's more beloved and, I think, better than "One Short Day", in the film. I just think people would feel the film was better with "Popular" in it, too.

[ajmrowland]

Every other song can either be told through dialogue ("Something Bad"), a simple look ("I'm Not That Girl"), or ends up not having much relevance to the main storyline ("Popular").

Awww, but "Popular" is the most charming song in the show. And also one of the most <i>popular</i>. (Ha. Ha.)

I agree. And this is after all those days of hearing my sister practicing it herself. She's been wanting to become an actress and saw the show some years ago. must've been 2006. Either way, it's my favorite of the songs, even after having it shoved down my throat.

[toonaspie]

Wouldn't royalties be an issue though and an unnecessary expense for the animated feature budget?

In any case I'd rather see a live action film over this and the TV miniseries being planned.

[Linden]

Well, I've never seen Wicked or read the book, but I've heard the whole cast album! And I know the general gist of the story. I'm not sure if I'd want to see it as a Disney movie (because of "thematic elements":P) but, this clip was awesome! I loved where Elphaba summons the broom and jumps from the tower onto it. I also like the character designs. The voices seemed to fit with the characters. Also, I noticed the Pocahontas music, too. Only, I just assumed it was "Steady as a Beating Drum," since I don't watch Pocahontas much. My one gripe with the video is that it didn't include the whole song. But no one's said anything about this, so maybe I'm wrong. It's just, I thought there was at least one more verse and a chorus that came before "Tell them how I'm defying gravity..."

I don't think Disney would ever make this, especially with Universal owning the rights. I think Disney would, understandably, cut/change things essential to the storyline. As I said, I haven't seen the musical, but from what I understand, Wicked has a bittersweet, sad, and/or disappointing ending. Disney would never go for it. Look at what they did with TLM or the even the Fantasia 2000 segment of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier." And I don't think they've ever had such a flawed hero/heroine (in DACs). I think if Disney did make it, it would alienate all the Wicked fans by "emasculating" it (I hate this word, but I couldn't think of a non-sexist alternative).

Anyway, at the very least, I'd love to see the animation in this clip finished. I'd also be open to seeing an animated version of the musical, but I don't think it would please anyone except people who've never seen/read the source material.

[disneyprincess11]

*IN A SING SONG VOICE* LOOOOOOOK WHAAAAT I FOUNNNND! KEEP SCROLLING DOWN!

http://heidigilbert.blogspot.com/

WOWWWW THIS WAS AMAZING! I MEAN GLINDA'S HAIR IN THE WIND AND CAMERA-ZOOM IN WHILE SHE SINGS I HOPE YOUR HAPPY! I GOT CHILLS!

Too bad Universal already has the movie rights!

[Disney Duster]

Would Glinda become an honorary Disney princess?

Actually, Elphaba is not only the star, but her love interest is a prince, Prince Fiyero of the Arjiki tribe, that's how she gets her castle. So she could, and should, be the princess.

But I would not really want her to be the princess. I don't really think I'd be okay with it. And considering she turns wicked in the end, and she really is the Wicked Witch of the West, I don't think Walt would approve either. That's just what I think, okay?

[monorail91]

I think that's the fundamental difference between the book and the musical. In the book, the storyline is much more consistent with our preconceived notions of the Wicked Witch of the West, and she does indeed become evil by the end.

In the musical, however, it's more of a "but you don't know the real story" and, wouldn't you know it, the Witch (Elphaba) has actually been good all alone, and it's all been a misunderstanding. They have competing hypotheses IMO.

[pinkrenata]

But I would not really want her to be the princess. I don't really think I'd be okay with it. And considering she turns wicked in the end, and she really is the Wicked Witch of the West, I don't think Walt would approve either. That's just what I think, okay?

If Elphaba was a real person, she'd gag at being included in the Disney Princess line.

But this <i>would</i> be an opportunity for creating a Disney Witch line, eh?

[Chernabog_Rocks]

If Elphaba was a real person, she'd gag at being included in the Disney Princess line.

But this <i>would</i> be an opportunity for creating a Disney Witch line, eh?

I wouldn't blame her for gagging at being included

I gag just seeing the line or hearing it be mentioned.


On topic a bit more, I think Wicked would be a good way to do a more adult animated feature such as Hunchback of Notre Dame, but hopefully without the monkeys bursting into song at an innapropriate time.

[fatcake]

I found a blog, with fan concepts of wicked, those concepts are by elsa chang, check out her gorgeous art here:

http://elsasketch.blogspot.com/

[kurtadisneyite]

Wasn't Tim Burton seriously considering developing a "Wicked" like property based on Maleficent?
That way Disney gets all the goodies from a villain-based story.
And if that does well, why not "Hooked on Evil", or "The Terror of Tremaine", etc?

[Big One]

Wasn't Tim Burton seriously considering developing a "Wicked" like property based on Maleficent?
That way Disney gets all the goodies from a villain-based story.
And if that does well, why not "Hooked on Evil", or "The Terror of Tremaine", etc?

Yeah he is.

I hope not after the disaster that was Alice in Wonderland. Tim Burton needs to stop with this shit.

[Disney Duster]

My one gripe with the video is that it didn't include the whole song. But no one's said anything about this, so maybe I'm wrong. It's just, I thought there was at least one more verse and a chorus that came before "Tell them how I'm defying gravity..."

I think if Disney did make it, it would alienate all the Wicked fans by "emasculating" it (I hate this word, but I couldn't think of a non-sexist alternative).

It is the whole song, think about it "take a message back from me...tell them how..." you see?

I think that's the fundamental difference between the book and the musical. In the book, the storyline is much more consistent with our preconceived notions of the Wicked Witch of the West, and she does indeed become evil by the end.

In the musical, however, it's more of a "but you don't know the real story" and, wouldn't you know it, the Witch (Elphaba) has actually been good all alone, and it's all been a misunderstanding. They have competing hypotheses IMO.

I think the book questioned what does it mean to be good or evil more than the play. Elphaba in the book killed someone because she thought that someone, Madame Morrible, was evil. And Madame Morrible is evil in the play. I think Elphaba goes more insane and unsure of what to do in the book. I consider the only big difference between Elphaba at the end of the book and Elphaba at the end of the play is that the Elphaba in the book killed someone, was kind of crazy, and was even deeper and more developed and complicated (but you could just say the book just told us more about her). I still see what Elphaba did, kidnapping Dorothy to get her shoes, was about the same, and what was "No Good Deed" about? It was about her saying she would finally do things that seemed wicked, aside from killing true innocents I suppose.

pinkrenata, yes, I agree. I loved the Elphaba in the book. I also like the play, but the book made me really care about the characters and feel they were real...amazing. I only hope the movie puts more of the book in. Oh, please oh please.

fatcake, from that site, I can't tell if that artist read the book or not. I will always think the original Fiyero should have been black, and they probably should have at least given him a tan and tattoos in the show (he had the blue tattoos in previews of the show). But I understand that might have screwed up the fact they don't like Elphaba for having different skin. Still...a really dark tan is different from being green! Anyway, I like the Wizard's cathedral, but at first I thought that was supposed to be Shiz and think it's better as Shiz. And the weird thing is the cathredral is only in the book, at least I thought. And I like Glinda's design too. And I'm okay with Elphaba's face, hair, and body, but not her yucky costume.

[ajmrowland]

I just saw the show tonight at the PAC, and it was FANTASTIC!!!!!

I really hope Disney makes a movie of it. I dont care how bad the reviews are!

And the play had the same effect on me that the book has on Duster, and I never read the book.

Edit: I dont like the rendition of the Wizard in the link. He looks too.........cheeky.

[disneyprincess11]

I know this is a little too late, but...

I found a blog, with fan concepts of wicked, those concepts are by elsa chang, check out her gorgeous art here:

http://elsasketch.blogspot.com/

WOW! THESE ARE GORGEOUS! I really love these character design, esepecially Glinda's! She looks adorable!



Love that hat on her!

This is defientely my favorite!



Love Glinda's dress and its so cute how shes putting flowers in Elphie's hair, reminds me of Tangled!

Best part of these is how professional it looks!

Actually, Elphaba is not only the star, but her love interest is a prince, Prince Fiyero of the Arjiki tribe, that's how she gets her castle. So she could, and should, be the princess.

But I would not really want her to be the princess. I don't really think I'd be okay with it. And considering she turns wicked in the end, and she really is the Wicked Witch of the West, I don't think Walt would approve either. That's just what I think, okay?

Not to sound rude, but yuck! No way! It would be so confusing! We'd get Elphaba as the Disney Princess AND one of the most famous Hollywood villians of all time. It would be so confusing, esepecially to little kids! Same thing goes with Glinda!

[The_Iceflash]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the love of God No!!!

I don't want that disaster of a fanfic anywhere near Disney.