EXCLUSIVE: After processing Lin Manuel-Miranda’s In the heights for Warner Bros. Jon M. Chu’s goal is to adapt one of Broadway’s biggest hits. Sources tell Deadline that Chu will direct Universal’s Evil, the filming of the record of the record-breaking musical phenomenon that is in its 17th hit on Broadway.
The three-time Tony Award-winning stage musical was adapted from Gregory Maguire’s best-selling novel by book author Winnie Holzman and composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who is also collaborating on the adaptation of the screenplay. Marc Platt will produce for his university-based Marc Platt Productions. Evil is produced on Broadway by Universal Stage Productions, Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.
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Timing is everything and in this situation it worked out well for both parties. Last fall, Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry left the project after the studio wanted to move quickly on the long-awaited adaptation. Around the same time, Chu’s paths had to part with Disney +’s new Wilg series he intended to direct due to problems with Covid-19 that kept pressure on production. On top of that, Chu is expecting a baby. With Chu’s schedule open and Evil looking for a director, worked out the timing for both sides.
With a national tour and several international productions, the stage music has been seen by more than 60 million people worldwide, making it one of the most successful theater ventures of all time. The winner of more than 100 international awards, including Grammys and three Tony Awards, Evil has been exported to more than 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and China) and has been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese.
Senior EPP production Erik Baiers and director of development Lexi Barta will oversee the project on behalf of Universal.
Except to customize In the heights, which premieres later this year in theaters and on HBO Max, Chu directed the box office. Crazy Rich Asians for Warner Bros. Chu is repeated by UTA, Artists First Inc and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, LLP.