In 1973 Richard Lester directed a 3 hour film based on THE THREE MUSKETEERS, with a screenplay by George MacDonald Fraser. Apparently the producers (as I recall the story) already had planned to release as two films - THE THREE MUSKETEERS and TEH FOUR MUSKETEERS: MILADYS'S REVENGE.
But of course they only hired the cast and everyone else for one film and paid them for one film (ah, movies). When they split it into two, they were ultimately forced to double everyone's contracts, as they now were appearing in two films.
With WICKED, they assumed it would be the biggest smash ever made, so dollar signs flashed before the STudio eyes and presto - two films. With the recent record of films based on Broadway musicals, I would not be so bullish. |
