The producers of Wicked will be hoping the new movie adaptation is “gonna be popu-lar” when it takes flight in 2019.

The long-awaited film version of Wicked the Musical has been scheduled for release on December 20 2019 in the US, according to Variety.

The hit West End and Broadway musical will be adapted by Stephen Daldry as director and Marc Platt as producer. No casting has yet been announced.

Wicked in the West End Wicked in the West End (PA)

Also collaborating on the project are Gregory Maguire, who wrote the original bestselling novel Wicked: The Life And Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West, as well as writer Winnie Holzman and Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz.

The narrative focuses on the untold story of the witches of Oz, with an alternative approach to the the 1900 L Frank Baum novel and the 1939 movie The Wizard Of Oz. It has previously starred Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth.

Wicked in the West End (Katie Collins/PA)Wicked in the West End (Katie Collins/PA)

Wicked will follow other movies adapted from musicals, including the ever-popular Mamma Mia.