Do We Want a 'Hadestown' Movie?
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
Look, the short answer is yes. But it deserves a deeper conversation.
Since its Broadway debut in 2019, Hadestown has enchanted audiences with its haunting melodies and spellbinding storytelling. Anaïs Mitchell’s folk-jazz retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth has become a modern musical theater phenomenon, sweeping the Tonys and earning a devoted fanbase.
Naturally, with the rise of stage-to-screen adaptations and box office success of Wicked, many are wondering: Is Hadestown the next Broadway hit destined for the big screen? More importantly, do we even want a Hadestown movie?
Not to be a downer, but let’s list some risks with trying to bring this musical to the big screen.
While Hadestown has an incredibly passionate fanbase, it doesn’t quite have the same widespread, mainstream reach as Wicked, which is a key factor in predicting box office success for a film adaptation.
Wicked has been running on Broadway since 2003, meaning multiple generations have grown up with its music and story. Fans who saw it as kids are now introducing it to new audiences. Hadestown, in contrast, debuted on Broadway in 2019, making it a much younger show. Songs like Defying Gravity and For Good have transcended theater, becoming pop-culture staples. Hadestown has a critically acclaimed, beautiful score, but it hasn’t quite broken into mainstream consciousness in the same way.
Wicked is based on The Wizard of Oz, a story nearly everyone knows. This built-in familiarity makes it an easy sell for general audiences. Hadestown, on the other hand, is based on Greek mythology, specifically the Orpheus and Eurydice story—lesser-known outside of literature and theater circles.
Unlike some musicals that transition easily to film, Hadestown is deeply theatrical. The minimalist set, the revolve, the onstage musicians—it all plays into the storytelling. The intimacy of watching the actors craft this world in real-time is part of what makes the show so mesmerizing. Would a film, with its inevitable cuts and CGI embellishments, dilute that intimacy? At the same time, I thought the same about Chicago and look how that one turned out.
Hadestown isn’t a typical book musical. There’s very little spoken dialogue; the story is told almost entirely through song. In film, audiences expect more naturalistic storytelling, and studios often struggle with making sung-through musicals feel organic (Les Misérables, Cats). Would a Hadestown movie attempt to add unnecessary dialogue or break up the flow of its score?
Finally, one of the charms of Hadestown is its indie, grassroots origins. It started as a concept album, developed off-Broadway, and retained a unique identity even as it hit Broadway’s biggest stage. A major Hollywood adaptation could strip away its soulful grit in favor of star casting and glossy production. A film should enhance Hadestown, not sanitize it.
But even after all of that, there’s ways a movie could really work.
The world of Hadestown is rich with possibility. The grimy, industrial underworld; the red-hot jazz clubs of Hermes and Persephone; the cold, mechanical walls of Hades’ domain—all of these could be expanded beyond the limitations of a stage. A film adaptation could lean into the steampunk aesthetic, infusing the story with a new visual depth while maintaining its mythical, Depression-era influences.
Perhaps the best solution? The recent news that a pro shot of the show will be released. This would preserve the stage production while making it accessible to all while also testing the waters for a movie adaptation.
If a director with a strong visual style (think Guillermo del Toro, Baz Luhrmann, or Barry Jenkins) created a distinctive, immersive world, it could intrigue even those unfamiliar with the musical.
The film would need to retain its sung-through format, resist over-explaining the story, and capture the raw emotion that has made Hadestown a modern masterpiece. If adapted, it would likely be a more niche success—beloved by theater fans, but not necessarily a guaranteed blockbuster.
Until then, we’ll keep walking that road to Hadestown, waiting to see if Hollywood knocks on its door.