James Cameron has never shied away from ambitious worlds, sweeping emotions or stories that demand a big-screen experience, but even for the filmmaker behind “Titanic,” “Terminator” and “Avatar,” there was once a fantasy realm he nearly stepped into.
Long before the long-awaited “Wicked” movies took shape, Cameron found himself drawn to the iconic tale of Oz, its characters and its larger-than-life scope. And while the idea of the blockbuster visionary tackling one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals sounds like a natural fit, his journey toward the Emerald City took an unexpected turn.
James Cameron Opens Up About the Musical He Almost Made
Cameron revealed that his brush with “Wicked” came during a creative crossroads nearly 15 years ago, at a moment when he was still exploring what his next big storytelling world might be. Speaking on The Town with Matt Belloni, in remarks recovered by Deadline, he said, “I almost made Wicked back when,” adding that he has always been drawn to expansive, immersive films. “The kind of movies that I like to watch, let’s say Dune or even Wicked,” he explained, noting that the story had captured his imagination long before the current adaptation existed.
He confirmed that he met with Universal Pictures to discuss what his version might look like. Cameron said he “really loved the story” and admired how Gregory Maguire’s world-building and character arcs could translate to the screen. He could already picture the visual possibilities of a reinvented Oz, but despite that excitement he hit an unexpected creative barrier. As he put it, he “couldn’t find the song,” which left him unsure about guiding the emotional and musical language that anchors a project like this.
Even so, Cameron made it clear that his hesitation was not due to a lack of affection for musicals. During the podcast, he reminded listeners that “my favorite movie is a musical, Wizard of Oz,” a detail that reveals a deep and long standing connection to the genre. That admiration may have been what compelled him to consider “Wicked” in the first place, even if the timing or creative spark was not fully there.
Cameron also suggested that he has not completely ruled out trying a musical someday. His career is full of moments where he returned to genres he once avoided and surprised audiences with risks that reshaped modern cinema. If he ever does attempt a musical, it would likely carry the same ambition, emotional sweep and sense of scale that have defined his films for decades.