Salma Hayek reflects on failed ‘Wicked’ spin-off as the movie becomes a phenomenon

The land of Oz has never been short on reinventions, but few have flown quite like “Wicked.” With reviews that “defy gravity” and a stellar 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the long-awaited film adaptation of the beloved Broadway hit tugged heartstrings around the globe. And as the green dust settles from its latest success, and its second part trailer will be released this year, one name from the past is popping back into the conversation: Salma Hayek.

The Academy Award-nominated actress, producer, and all-around Hollywood powerhouse once tried to bring her version of “Wicked” to the screen. 

Before Chu’s Blockbuster

Hayek’s version dates all the way back to 2011—a full five years before Universal announced its plan to adapt “Wicked” into a movie musical. The project was intended as an eight-part TV miniseries based on Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” the darker, more political novel that inspired the Broadway smash. 

Notably, Hayek wasn’t aiming for jazz hands and high notes. In a recent interview with Jimmy Fallon, she clarified, “I wasn’t planning to star in. I just wanted to produce.”

But it never got off the ground. No actors were cast. No director signed. 

With the first installment of “Wicked” now lighting up theaters and its sequel already generating buzz, it’s safe to say this version isn’t going anywhere. Director Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “In the Heights”) brought an all-star cast, big-budget visuals, and, crucially, the iconic songs that made the Broadway show a worldwide sensation.

Salma Hayek on the set of ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

“Wicked” by Salma Hayek didn’t happen, but she is still very much a part of Hollywood’s best.  The Mexican bombshell made a surprise appearance on the set of ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,’ joining the star-studded cast, which includes Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Angela Bassett, Pom Klementieff, and more.

© Getty Images for Kering

During an exclusive interview with ¡HOLA!, Angela shared that the icon’s visit was one of the project’s highlights. “I remember Salma Hayek came by one day,” she revealed, describing the moment as “lovely.” Angela talked about the “long hours” of filming, calling Tom Cruise “amazing and incredible.” The actress also highlighted the “impossible stunts that Tom and his crew make possible.” 

“I think another impossible stunt is maintaining your humanity, your vulnerability, your willingness to balance the strongest and the softest parts of yourself and bring those together and realize that they are both together in equal measure,” Angela explained when talking about the emotional side of her portrayal.