Universal's 'Wicked' loses director Stephen Daldry

British filmmaker Stephen Daldry has exited Universal's film adaptation of famous Broadway musical "Wicked". The book, which was adapted for the stage in 2003, followed the witches of the Land of Oz. Its plot begins before and continues after Dorothy Gale arrives in Oz from Kansas. Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music and lyrics to the Broadway show, is adapting the screenplay with Winnie Holzman.

British filmmaker Stephen Daldry has exited Universal's film adaptation of famous Broadway musical "Wicked". According to The Hollywood Reporter, Daldry's exit from the movie was "amicable" and the studio is now searching for his replacement.

The project, which has been long in the making at the studio, is a prequel to "Wizard of Oz", based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West". The book, which was adapted for the stage in 2003, followed the witches of the Land of Oz. Its plot begins before and continues after Dorothy Gale arrives in Oz from Kansas.

Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music and lyrics to the Broadway show, is adapting the screenplay with Winnie Holzman. Marc Platt, a producer on the musical, is also producing the film. "Wicked" is scheduled to be released in December 2021.