Wicked movie officially confirmed by Universal Pictures

OK, I know I'm not the only 'Wicked' fan here (Amy herself is one of them in case you don't know!) and I thought you might be interested by the following press announcement released today by Universal Pictures. The producers have officially confirmed that a 'Wicked' movie is underway.

PLEASE LET THEM CONSIDER AMY FOR THE PART OF ELPHABA! We all know it's her dream role :) Although I suspect she would be more logically playing Glinda the Good if she ever was in the movie. Anyway-- I bet the producers would prefer Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as they originated the roles on Broadway, so I don't think it will happen for Amy. Perhaps she will want to do a cameo and play a munchkin? Who knows! Here, here:

Marc Platt and Universal Pictures are taking formative steps toward a screen adaptation of "Wicked," the stage musical that Universal co-finances and Platt produces with David Stone.

After crossing the $1 billion mark in worldwide stage gross and opening its eighth production in Australia, "Wicked" has become one of the studio's most profitable investments and could follow a stage-to-screen track reminiscent of "Mamma Mia!" which U bows Friday.

Platt, who transitioned from U production prexy to producer under Stacey Snider and Ron Meyer, has been at the studio for a decade. While he remains close with Snider (who left to run DreamWorks), he said he's loyal to Meyer -- who championed U's investment in "Wicked" -- and has developed strong ties to U Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger, co-chairman David Linde and production president Donna Langley.

U brass has made it a priority to lock up their big suppliers, and Platt's pact follows longterm deals made by Imagine Entertainment and Working Title.

"Marc has strong commercial tastes, but so eclectic that you can't put him in a box or category," Langley said. "Our goal now is absolutely to make the 'Wicked' film, but much like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to 'Mamma Mia!' until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."

Platt, who produced the play with Stone and U, confirmed they are in early movie talks, and that book writer Winnie Holzman will write the script.

Source