By Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer
The long-gestating film adaptation of the Broadway hit "Wicked" has hit another snag. Director Stephen Daldry is exiting the project, a studio representative confirmed Tuesday.
The industry trade website Deadline first reported the news.
The "Billy Elliot" director has been associated with the adaptation for years, going back as far as 2012. Writer Winnie Holzman, who wrote the musical, wrote the script with "Wicked" composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. At one point, the film was supposed to hit theaters in Dec. 2019.
Universal Pictures earlier this year removed "Wicked" from its release schedule. It was last slated for a Dec. 22, 2021 theatrical launch.
No cast has been officially announced.
In addition to directing the stage and movie versions of "Billy Elliot," Daldry's Broadway credits include "An Inspector Calls," "Skylight" and he just got a Tony Award nomination for "The Inheritance." He has won two Tonys.
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More