Demi Moore as Elphaba? No Music? Two Decades Ago, Wicked Would’ve Been a Very Different Movie
It’s hard to imagine a world where a film adaptation of Wicked—the beloved Broadway musical that has captivated audiences for more than two decades—would have been envisioned without its iconic music. But if the plans from the early 2000s had come to fruition, fans of Oz’s misunderstood green witch could have been introduced to a completely different story. Imagine Demi Moore as Elphaba, without the musical number, and a more traditional film focused on Oz’s politics. That’s as close to a Wicked movie as we could get.
The Unconventional Origins of Wicked
Before Wicked became a Broadway phenomenon in 2003, it was a novel by Gregory Maguire, titled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Published in 1995, Maguire’s novel was a dark, political reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, delving into themes of morality, identity, and power. While the novel has a devoted fan base, it was a radical departure from the quirky Technicolor world of the 1939 film.
When Universal Pictures acquired the film rights to Maguire’s book in the late 1990s, the studio wasn’t thinking about a musical. Instead, the vision was for a full-blown, character-driven fantasy film akin to Lord of the Rings. Demi Moore, one of the biggest stars of the 1990s, was reportedly offered the role of Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West.
Demi Moore as Elphaba
Demi Moore was an interesting choice for the role of Elphaba. Known for her powerful performances in films like G.I. Jane, Ghost, and A Few Good Men, Moore had the acting chops to portray the complexities of Elphaba. At the time, she was also one of Hollywood’s highest-grossing stars, making her an obvious choice to lead a popular adaptation of Maguire’s acclaimed novel.
Unlike the vibrant, soaring vocals that Idina Menzel would later bring to the role on Broadway, Moore’s Elphaba would be rooted in sophistication and seriousness. Early drafts of the script focused on the witch’s political struggles and her journey from idealistic outcast to fearsome revolutionary. In this perspective, Elphaba’s story is not about defying gravity but about challenging societal expectations and Oz’s oppressive system.
A Wicked Without Music
Perhaps the most shocking element of the original Wicked film concept was the lack of music. In the late 1990s, Universal had no plans to adapt Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s stage musical—it hadn’t even existed yet. The idea of adapting Maguire’s novel into a Broadway production had yet to materialize, and the studio was focused entirely on a non-musical film adaptation.
This version of Wicked would have focused more on the political intrigue in Maguire’s book, exploring the corruption of the Oz government and the complicated relationship between Elphaba and Glinda. While the story might appeal to fans of the novel, it would have lacked the quirky, emotional resonance that the musical’s score provided.
Without Schwartz’s memorable songs like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good,” it’s hard to imagine Wicked making the same cultural impact. Music became the heart and soul of the story, giving the audience a direct emotional connection to Elphaba’s struggles and triumphs.
A Tale of Two Witches
Another major difference between the original film concept and the final Broadway musical is the dynamic between Elphaba and Glinda. While the stage production emphasized their growing friendship, early drafts of the film focused more on their rivalry.
In the non-musical version, Glinda was envisioned as a more calculating and ambitious character—less bubbly and lovable than the version popularized by Kristin Chenoweth. The relationship between the two witches is portrayed as a battle for control of Oz, with their personal histories and ideologies clashing in dramatic ways.
This darker, more antagonistic dynamic would have significantly altered the tone of the story, moving it closer to a political thriller than the heartfelt tale of sisterhood that fans love today.
Despite Universal’s initial enthusiasm for the project, the non-musical Wicked movie never came to fruition. Several factors contributed to its shelving:
The Novel’s Complexity
Maguire’s book was dense and politically charged, making it a challenging source material for a mainstream Hollywood film. Adapting its intricate narrative into a cohesive, engaging movie proved difficult, and early scripts reportedly struggled to capture the essence of the story.
Shifting Trends in Hollywood
By the early 2000s, fantasy films were gaining popularity, but they were increasingly grand, visually stunning epics like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Universal may have worried that a dialogue-heavy, character-driven Wicked would struggle to compete.
The Emergence of the Musical
In 2003, Schwartz and Holzman’s Wicked premiered on Broadway, becoming an instant phenomenon. The musical’s success reshaped Universal’s plans, with the studio realizing that any movie adaptation would need to incorporate the beloved songs and tone of the stage production.
The Musical’s Lasting Legacy
When Wicked finally hits the big screen in 2024, it will be a faithful adaptation of the Broadway musical, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to see iconic moments from the show recreated on the big screen, complete with the music and magic that made it a global phenomenon.
Looking back, it’s fascinating to consider what could have been. A Wicked musical without Demi Moore would have been a bold and unconventional take on the story, but it’s unlikely to have achieved the same cultural resonance as the musical.
At its core, Wicked is a story about identity, empathy, and challenging stereotypes. These themes are universal, but the musical’s success lies in its ability to combine them with humor, heart, and memorable melodies.
Without the music, Wicked might have struggled to connect with audiences on such a deep level. Songs like “I’m Not That Girl” and “For Good” tap into universal emotions, allowing audiences to see themselves in the characters.
Conclusion
The story of Wicked’s journey from page to stage to screen is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the importance of finding the right medium to tell a story. While the idea of Demi Moore as Elphaba in a non-musical adaptation remains an intriguing “what if,” the version of Wicked we know and love today has cemented its status as a cultural landmark.
As fans prepare for the long-awaited film adaptation, they can rest assured that the heart and soul of Wicked—its music, its magic, and its message—will shine brighter than ever. And perhaps, in a parallel universe, there is a version of Oz where Demi Moore’s Elphaba is still working her magic.