James Cameron Thought About Wicked Film, But Couldn't Find the Song
James Cameron reveals he once discussed a film version of Wicked with Universal, drawn to Maguire's novel and Oz lore, but never found the defining musical moment that would connect the magic to the screen.
Filmmaker James Cameron recently revealed that he once explored turning the musical Wicked into a feature film, but he couldn't find the right creative direction to bring it to life. The talks with Universal Pictures took place roughly fifteen years ago, he explained on The Town podcast.
He was drawn to Gregory Maguire's novel and its ties to The Wizard of Oz, a film he deeply admires. Yet he said he never found "the song" — the pivotal idea or moment that would fully anchor the adaptation.
Why the idea paused and how the industry shapes such projects
He noted that today's studios often prioritize projects that feel like major events with big budgets. He cited contemporary epics like Dune and the ongoing Wicked project as examples of this trend. Cameron emphasized that, while he cannot predict the future, he could imagine revisiting a Wicked musical later if the concept becomes clear enough.
What happened next and where Wicked stands today
The film version of Wicked eventually went to director Jon M. Chu. The movie, titled Wicked: Part One, with a planned Part Two, draws from Maguire's novel as well as the Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. The main roles are played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Expert comment: An industry analyst notes that audiences increasingly favor high‑profile, franchise‑style productions. For a future Wicked adaptation to succeed as a musical on film, it would need a clear artistic punch beyond spectacle.
Short summary: Cameron entertained Wicked as a big-screen project but could not crystallize the central musical moment. The project shifted to Jon M. Chu's version, with two installments in development and stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. This example shows how modern studio demands and a single compelling idea drive which musicals reach theaters.
Key insight: When the defining creative spark isn’t found, even a visionary like James Cameron pauses a flashy musical idea, underscoring the balance between artistic clarity and studio-scale expectations.