it's safe to say that Wicked: Part One (2024) is more than a little "popular" as it continues to sweep through theaters around the world. The musical sensation based on the original novel by Gregory Maguire with music by Stephen Schwartz is an absolute smash. But while it is set to be one of the biggest films of the year, could Disney possibly compete with it?
Unfortunately, the House of Mouse has been on a hit-and-miss streak at the theaters after the lukewarm reception of Moana 2 (2024). With Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) set to debut within the same frame of time as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), it looks like another underwhelming turnout is in the studio’s future.
That said, 2025 has the potential to be Disney’s phoenix era if the studio heads make the right creative decisions. Audiences are already pre-hyped for the next installment of the witches of Oz, but Disney might be sitting on their next musical masterpiece.
You'll Be Back: Disney Needs Hamilton
Along with being a legendary songsmith and sensation on the Broadway stage, Lin-Manuel Miranda has been Disney's golden boy for the past few years. With his contributions to projects like Moana (2016) the remake of The Little Mermaid, the Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, as well as the new Lion King prequel, Miranda has his hands full..
While those instances barely scratch the surface of Miranda's talents, he's perhaps best known for his hip-hop musical of the Ten-Dollar-Founding-Father, Alexander Hamilton. Along with taking the stage by lyrical storm, Hamilton soon found a home on Disney+ where it found a larger audience. However, the story might not end there.
In a recent interview with Variety, Miranda shared his thoughts on giving Hamilton the Wicked treatment, something that the Walt Disney Company could very well have in its back pocket. Since Disney+ brought audiences the filmed production of the Broadway show, it's only natural that the studio brings things full circle.
Miranda told Variety,
"I already have an amazing production of the one we made on Broadway... I’m really happy that exists and that we’re able to share it with the world. But if someone’s got an idea, holla at me.”
Filmmakers, songwriters, and fans can wish, want, and hope for an adaptation as much as they'd like, but the ball might be in the mouse's court already. The question is: will Disney answer the call?
It's no secret that Lin-Manuel Miranda's absence from Moana 2 was so palpable, and it's likely one of the reasons many felt so underwhelmed with the performance. What better way to reestablish good faith with both Miranda and Disney fans than by bringing Hamilton to the big screen?
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas, but the possibilities are there. Considering Disney isn't out of its creative woods yet and Miranda is already on the payroll, it might only be a matter of time.
A filmed production of the Hamilton Broadway musical can be streamed in its entirety on Disney+.