Monday, February 7, 2011

Elphaba as a Disney Princess?


UPDATE: I changed the link to the video to the animator's blog, so you should be able to see the video now.

While surfing the web today I came across this video. It is from animator Heidi Jo Gilbert who created animated storyboards for the song "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked and appeals to Wicked creator Stephen Schwartz to allow her to make his creation into an animated movie. Gilbert also assures viewers of her video that while she has worked for Disney, she created these on her own time. However, there is no denying that this is Elphaba and Galinda Disney-fied with their watery doe-eyes and tiny waists.
At first, I couldn't wrap my head around an animated Wicked. I suppose it makes sense. The story does lend itself to the whimsy of animation and a musical being made into an animated film would be new, but it still irked me at first consideration.
That being said, when Elphaba belts out to find her in the "western sky" I still got teary eyed and by the end of the video I was behind the idea. Whether this derives from my long-held desire to be able to pop in a Wicked DVD or whether I really think it is the way they should be brought to the big screen, I cannot tell you.
So watch the video and tell me what you think! Do want little girls to be playing with Elphaba Barbies? Also keep in mind that if they did this, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth wouldn't be "too old" to play the voices of these college freshmen...