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Book writer Winnie Holzman and composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who adapted Gregory Maguire's bestselling novel into the three-time, Tony Award-winning musical, will also work on the screenplay for Universal's film adaptation.

Oscar-nominated producer Marc Platt will produce the film adaptation, Universal Pictures confirmed.

Maguire previously spoke to \"GMA\" about how thrilled he was with the news of the film adaptation.

\"Children alone knew about the magic of Oz through the original novels published from 1900 on,\" he said in 2019. \"When the famous MGM film, 'The Wizard of Oz,' was made in 1939, the grownup world got in on the love affair. In 2021, 'Wicked's' story and its message will belong to the world in a new way.\"

The hit Broadway musical has been seen by over 60 million people worldwide and won over 100 international awards.

In his announcement Tuesday, Chu promised that he would \"protect this vigorously and hopefully bring a few new surprises along the way.\"

Chu is also directing the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, \"In the Heights,\" out in June 2021.

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