Abrams in Running to Direct Wicked Movie?

Deadline is reporting that four big name Hollywood directors are vying for the chance to direct the movie version of Wicked. The list is of rumored directors is JJ Abrams, James Mangold (Knight and Day), Ryan Murphy (Glee), and Rob Marshall (Nine). Wicked is a Broadway musical based on the fictional story of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Considering that Abrams is expected to start filming Super 8 this fall and Star Trek next summer, I don't see how he can even be on the short list unless Universal is willing to wait until 2012 to start production. So take at least the Abrams part of the rumor with a grain of salt.