Wicked (1998) debuted at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival but had a delayed release due to a financial dispute between a producer and the studio. The film was released on DVD in 2001.
Director Michael Steinberg considered actresses like Rachael Leigh Cook and Katie Holmes for the role of Ellie. Julia Stiles, who was then 15, won the role when she faxed a letter to Steinberg in which she gave an interesting take on the character.