Disney (and others) at the Box Office - Current State of Affairs

[Casper Gutman]

I initially mistook your post (which was perfectly clear) to be referring to the film adaptation rather than to the musical itself. I know what it's like not to "get" something that the rest of the world seems to love. For me, it's The Bear (very different genre, I know!).

Yup. Very off topic, but another big one for me is anti-hero TV. Sopranos, Breaking Bad, The Penguin, etc. I've watched quite a bit and I can absolutely admire the craft and skill but on a profound level it just doesn't appeal to and sometimes even troubles me. I guess I don't want to root for the bad guy!

Back to Wicked, I certainly hope this launches a string of big musical films, although I'm not entirely sure what the logical follow-up to Wicked would be. The huge lesson Hollywood should draw from this is that, as Barbie indicated, there's a vast, untapped market for blockbusters aimed primarily (though certainly not solely) at a female audience. On a more specific note, between Wicked and the success of Agatha All Along, if I'm a Hollywood exec I'm looking for some more witch-based properties.

 

[Ghost93]

The huge lesson Hollywood should draw from this is that, as Barbie indicated, there's a vast, untapped market for blockbusters aimed primarily (though certainly not solely) at a female audience.

While I agree, I think the other lesson Hollywood should learn from Wicked's success is to hire professional singers when making musical adaptations. We should never have to endure another Russell Crowe in Les Miserables again!

 

[Casper Gutman]

While I agree, I think the other lesson Hollywood should learn from Wicked's success is to hire professional singers when making musical adaptations. We should never have to endure another Russell Crowe in Les Miserables again!

No argument about Crowe... although as much as I love Goldblum, he's no Pavarotti.

I don't think there really are many other Broadway shows that could capitalize on the success of Wicked. If I'm Disney, start getting some of my top talent working on a big, colorful, over-the-top, unashamed original live-action fantasy musical property.

 

[Farerb]

Yup. Very off topic, but another big one for me is anti-hero TV. Sopranos, Breaking Bad, The Penguin, etc. I've watched quite a bit and I can absolutely admire the craft and skill but on a profound level it just doesn't appeal to and sometimes even troubles me. I guess I don't want to root for the bad guy!

Back to Wicked, I certainly hope this launches a string of big musical films, although I'm not entirely sure what the logical follow-up to Wicked would be. The huge lesson Hollywood should draw from this is that, as Barbie indicated, there's a vast, untapped market for blockbusters aimed primarily (though certainly not solely) at a female audience. On a more specific note, between Wicked and the success of Agatha All Along, if I'm a Hollywood exec I'm looking for some more witch-based properties.

What Hollywood should draw from this is that there's a market for "chick flicks", which Hollywood has completely abandoned for some reason a decade ago.

By the way, what Broadway musicals do you like?

 

[Farerb]

No argument about Crowe... although as much as I love Goldblum, he's no Pavarotti.

I don't think there really are many other Broadway shows that could capitalize on the success of Wicked. If I'm Disney, start getting some of my top talent working on a big, colorful, over-the-top, unashamed original live-action fantasy musical property.

Frozen is basically Wicked 2.0. Disney will eventually make a live action remake and a remake for Tangled as well.