Wicked (titled onscreen as Wicked: Part I) is a 2024 American musical fantasy film directed by Jon M. Chu and based on the Broadway musical Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, which is in turn based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp, a green-skinned woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, her friend and rival who becomes the Good Witch of the North. The film also features, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum in supporting roles.
The film is the first of a two-part adaptation of the musical, which tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda's friendship and rivalry in the Land of Oz before and after the arrival of Dorothy Gale from Kansas. The film explores the themes of identity, prejudice, friendship, love, and betrayal, as well as the political and social conflicts in Oz. The film features songs from the musical, as well as new songs written by Schwartz for the film.
Wicked: Part One is produced by Marc Platt and David Stone, who also produced the original musical. The film was announced in 2012 but faced several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Chu was hired to direct the film in 2020, and Erivo and Grande were cast as the leads in 2021. Principal photography began in December 2022 in England, and was completed in January 2024. The film was released by Universal Pictures on November 22, 2024. It received positive reviews from critics and it has grossed $360 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. Wicked: Part Two will be released on November 21, 2025.
Plot[]
In the Land of Oz, the citizens of Munchkinland celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda the Good tells the Witch's story: born from an affair between the wife of then-Governor Thropp and a traveling salesman, she was rejected from birth due to her green skin, which caused her to suffer a troubled childhood ("No One Mourns the Wicked"). When asked if she and the Witch were friends, Glinda replies that they knew each other and reflects on their past.
Years earlier, Elphaba Thropp arrives at Shiz University to drop off her paraplegic younger sister Nessarose ("Dear Old Shiz"). Madame Morrible, the Dean of Sorcery Studies, offers to privately tutor Elphaba after the latter unintentionally reveals her magical abilities; Elphaba accepts, hoping it will allow her to meet Oz's ruler, the Wizard, whom she idolizes and hopes may change her skin color ("The Wizard and I"). To her discontent, however, Elphaba is forced to share a room with bubbly, popular Galinda Upland; the two clash constantly ("What Is This Feeling?").
Nessa befriends Boq Woodsman, a happy-go-lucky munchkin with a crush on Galinda, while Elphaba encounters rebellious prince Fiyero Tigelaar and his talking horse. Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat who teaches Ozian history and faces discrimination from the school, tells Elphaba that other animals are losing their civil rights and abilities to speak, fearing he may be next ("Something Bad"). Elphaba assures Dillamond that the Wizard will handle the matter.
Fiyero decides to host a party at the Ozdust Ballroom. Galinda convinces Boq to take Nessarose so she can go with Fiyero ("Dancing Through Life"). At the Ozdust, Galinda learns she will be allowed in Morrible's sorcery seminar at Elphaba's request as thanks for convincing Boq to take Nessa. When Elphaba is ridiculed for wearing a hat Galinda gave to her as a slight, a guilty Galinda dances with her ("Ozdust Duet") and later gives her a makeover ("Popular").
The next day, Dillamond announces his retirement due to the school board now disallowing animals to teach; he is forcefully escorted out of the classroom by guards. His replacement, the unscrupulous Professor Nikidik, attempts to do live experimentation on a frightened lion cub, but Elphaba and Fiyero intervene, escape campus, and release the cub into the forest. After sharing a moment, Elphaba laments that Fiyero prefers Galinda over her ("I'm Not That Girl").
Elphaba receives a personalized summons from the Wizard, who has heard about her progress. Galinda, now shortening her name to "Glinda" in honor of Dillamond's mispronunciation of it, accompanies her. The two ride a bullet train to Oz's capital, the Emerald City, where they affirm their friendship while sightseeing ("One Short Day").
After being introduced to the Wizard ("A Sentimental Man"), Elphaba says she wishes to help the talking animals of Oz in lieu of changing her skin color. Morrible reveals she has come to witness Elphaba and the Wizard's first meeting. The Wizard and Morrible encourage Elphaba to read from the sacred Grimmerie spellbook. Her incantation makes the Wizard's monkey guards painfully sprout wings, allowing the delighted Morrible and the Wizard to use them as spies. Elphaba realizes that they are the ones behind the animals losing their rights and speech, and that the Wizard is a fraud. Horrified that she was used to unlock the Grimmerie's power and further subjugate the animals, Elphaba flees, taking the Grimmerie with her.
Glinda follows her and implores her to reconcile with Morrible and the Wizard, but Elphaba decides to stop their cruel plans. She bids an emotional farewell to Glinda, who supports her but is apprehended by guards. Elphaba uses the Grimmerie to levitate a broom and escape from the city upon it, evading the Wizard's guards and monkeys after her powers cause a power outage throughout Oz. After Morrible warns that Elphaba is a "wicked witch", the students of Shiz evacuate campus with Fiyero fleeing the school grounds on horseback, and Nessarose sees Governor Thropp suffer a heart attack as they receive the news in their Munchkinland home. Meanwhile, Elphaba flies west ("Defying Gravity").
Cast[]
- Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp, a misunderstood young woman born with green skin who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West[1][2]
- Karis Musongole as young Elphaba[3]
- Ariana Grande-Butera as Galinda Upland, a popular young woman who becomes Glinda the Good[4][1][2]
- Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar, a prince from Winkie Country who meets Elphaba and Glinda at school[5]
- Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman,[6] a Munchkin in love with Glinda[2]
- Bowen Yang as Pfannee, one of Glinda's college friends[7]
- Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp, Elphaba's paraplegic younger sister[7]
- Cesily Collette Taylor as young Nessarose
- Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat and history professor at Shiz University[8]
- Luisa Guerrerio was the movement artist for Dr. Dillamond
- Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, the Dean of Sorcery at Shiz University[9]
- Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz[10]
- Bronwyn James as Shenshen, another of Galinda's college friends[7]
- Andy Nyman as Governor Thropp, Elphaba and Nessarose's father and the Governor of Munchkinland
- Courtney-Mae Briggs as Mrs. Thropp, Elphaba and Nessarose's mother, who dies after giving birth to Nessarose
- Keala Settle as Miss Coddle, the headmistress of Shiz University
- Aaron Teoh as Avaric, Fiyero's friend
- Sharon D. Clarke as the voice of Dulcibear, a talking bear who helps deliver Elphaba during her birth and acts as a nanny to the Thropp family
- Madeline Wilson was the movement artist for Dulcibear
- Jenna Boyd as the voice of Wolf Doctor, a doctor who helps deliver Elphaba during her birth[11]
- Sarah Mardel was the movement artist for Wolf Doctor
- Colin Michael Carmichael as Professor Nikidik, a professor at Shiz University
Additionally, the Cowardly Lion makes an appearance as a cub. Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl who is transported to the Land of Oz by a tornado with her dog Toto, is featured alongside the Scarecrow, Tin Man and an adult version of the Cowardly Lion in a brief cameo early in the film.[12] Robin Guiver performs the role of Chistery, the leader of the Wizard's monkey army and Elphaba's favorite winged monkey. Stephen Stanton voices Fiyero's horse.
Multiple cameos take place during the "One Short Day" sequence. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the stage musical, portray the leading members of the Emerald City Players. Former Fiyero understudy, Michael McCorry Rose, appears as the Wiz-O-Mania Narrator.[13] Book writer and screenwriter Winnie Holzman exclaims, "He can read it [the Grimmerie]! He must be a Wizard!" in a cameo during Wiz-O-Mania, and composer Stephen Schwartz cameos as the Emerald City Guard, who announces to Elphaba and Glinda that "the wizard will see you now". Adam James and Alice Fearn appear briefly as Galinda's parents, nicknamed "Popsicle" and "Momsie" by Galinda.[14] Shaun Prendergast appears as Shiz President and Cherida Strallen as the Shiz Librarian.[15] Various notable West End actors also make cameo appearances in the film, including Kerry Ellis,[16] Luke Bayer, Georgina Onuorah, and Dianne Pilkington.[17]
Production[]
Development[]
The film adaptation of Wicked has been in development since 2004, when Universal Pictures acquired the rights to the musical from its producers Marc Platt and David Stone. Platt and Stone remained attached as producers, while the musical's composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman were hired to write the screenplay. Several directors were considered for the project, including Rob Marshall, J. J. Abrams, James Mangold, and Ryan Murphy, but none of them were officially attached. The film was initially planned for a 2010 release, but was delayed due to various reasons, such as the success of the musical on stage, the difficulty of finding the right cast, and the competition from other film musicals.
In 2016, the film was given a release date of December 20, 2019, but was later pushed back to 2021. In 2018, Stephen Daldry was announced as the director, but he left the project in 2020 due to scheduling conflicts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Jon M. Chu was hired to replace Daldry as the director, after impressing Platt and Stone with his vision and passion for the film. Chu said that he was a longtime fan of the musical and that he wanted to make a film that would honor its legacy and appeal to a new generation of audiences. He also said that he wanted to expand the story and the characters, and to explore the themes of identity, friendship, and empowerment.
In 2021, it was announced that the film would be split into two parts, due to the length and scope of the musical. The first part would cover the first act of the musical, while the second part would cover the second act. Chu said that he wanted to give each part its own identity and style, and to create a cinematic experience that would be immersive and emotional. He also said that he wanted to add some new songs and scenes to the film, with the approval and collaboration of Schwartz and Holzman.
Casting[]
The casting process for the film was a long and challenging one, as the producers and the director wanted to find actors who could embody the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda, as well as sing and act with skill and charisma. Several actresses were rumored or considered for the roles, such as Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, Lea Michele, Anna Kendrick, Amanda Seyfried, Taylor Swift, and Zendaya, but none of them were officially confirmed.
In September 2021, Cynthia Erivo was cast as Elphaba, after auditioning with the song "The Wizard and I". Erivo is a Tony Award-winning actress and singer who previously starred in The Color Purple on Broadway and Harriet on film. She said that she was drawn to the role because of Elphaba's complexity and strength, and that she wanted to bring her own interpretation to the character. She also said that she was excited to work with Chu, whom she called "a visionary and a genius".
In October 2021, Ariana Grande was cast as Glinda, after expressing her interest in the role for years. Grande is a Grammy Award-winning pop star and actress who previously appeared in 13 and Hairspray Live! on stage and Victorious and Scream Queens on television. She said that she was a huge fan of the musical and that she felt honored to play Glinda, whom she described as "funny, sweet, and iconic". She also said that she was excited to work with Erivo, whom she called "a powerhouse and a legend".
The rest of the cast was announced between November 2021 and March 2022, with Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard. They all expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude for being part of the film, and praised the musical, the director, and their co-stars.
Filming[]
Principal photography for the film began in December 2022 in England, with Alice Brooks as the cinematographer and Myron Kerstein as the editor. The film was shot at various locations, such as Pinewood Studios, Shepperton Studios, and Leavesden Studios, as well as some outdoor locations, such as Windsor Great Park, Blenheim Palace, and Oxford University. The film used a combination of practical and digital effects, as well as elaborate sets and costumes, to create the fantastical world of Oz. The film also featured choreography by Jamal Sims and Mandy Moore, and musical supervision by Alex Lacamoire.
The filming was paused in July 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which affected the production of many films and television shows. The strike lasted for two months, during which the cast and crew expressed their solidarity and support for the union's demands. The strike was resolved in October 2023, after the studios and the union reached a new agreement that included better pay, benefits, and working conditions for the performers. The filming resumed in November 2023, with Chu thanking the cast and crew for their patience and dedication. The filming wrapped up in January 2024, with Chu announcing the completion of the production on his social media accounts. He also revealed the official title of the film as Wicked: Part One and shared a teaser poster featuring Erivo and Grande as Elphaba and Glinda.
Music[]
- Main article: Wicked: The Soundtrack
The soundtrack albums for both Wicked: Part One and Wicked: Part Two will be released by Republic Records/Verve Label Group, Grande and Erivo's respective record labels, with the soundtrack of the first film being released on November 22, 2024. In July 2024, it was revealed that John Powell had composed the incidental underscore for the film and will do the same for Wicked: Part Two. Jeff Atmajian updated William David Brohn's original orchestrations for the songs and enlarged the orchestra from the stage version's original 23 musicians to 80 for the film. The recording sessions for the orchestra took place at AIR Studios in London, with the musical's original music director Stephen Oremus conducting the song cues and Powell conducting the incidental score cues. Greg Wells, Oremus, and Schwartz served as music producers.
Release[]
Wicked: Part One is scheduled to be released by Universal Pictures on November 22, 2024 in time for the Thanksgiving weekend. The film was originally slated for a December 25 release but was moved up a month ahead to November 27 to avoid competition from other holiday films. The release date was then moved again up five days to November 22 to avoid competition from Moana 2. The film will also be released in IMAX and Dolby Cinema formats, as well as on Peacock, Universal's streaming service, 45 days after its theatrical debut.
Sequel[]
- Main article: Wicked: Part Two
Wicked: Part Two is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2025, a year after the first part. The film will follow the plot of the second act of the musical and will feature new songs and scenes written by Schwartz and Holzman for the film. The cast and crew have teased that the second part will be darker, more emotional, and more surprising than the first part and that it will reveal the fate of Elphaba, Glinda, and the other characters in Oz.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to Star in 'Wicked' Musical for Universal". Variety (November 4, 2021).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Wicked Movie Casts Ethan Slater Opposite Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety (December 7, 2022).
- ↑ "15 Swankified Easter Eggs in Wicked's Official Trailer". Playbill (May 15, 2024).
- ↑ Jackson, Angelique (November 4, 2024). "Ariana Grande Is Credited in 'Wicked' as 'Ariana Grande-Butera' Because 'That Was My Name When I Went to See the Show' at 10 Years Old". (en-US) Variety.
- ↑ Malkin, Marc (September 21, 2022). "Jonathan Bailey Joins 'Wicked' Movies as Fiyero (EXCLUSIVE)". (en-US) Variety.
- ↑ "Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Hold Hands While Taking Their Love from Emerald City to New York City". (January 23, 2024).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Wicked Adaptation At Universal Rounds Out Inclusive All-Star Cast With Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James". Deadline Hollywood (December 9, 2022).
- ↑ McClintock, Pamela (April 10, 2024). "'Wicked' Casts Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond the Goat". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ "Michelle Yeoh to Star in Wicked Movies as Madame Morrible (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety (December 8, 2022).
- ↑ Laudenbach, Sarah (December 10, 2022). "Jeff Goldblum Confirmed As Wicked's Wizard Of Oz In Exciting Movie Update". Screen Rant.
- ↑ Wood, Alex (October 9, 2024). "Sharon D Clarke and more join Wicked movie". WhatsOnStage.com.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 5, 2024). "'Deadpool 3', 'Twisters', 'Quiet Place: Day One', 'Inside Out 2' Among Potential Super Bowl Movie Spots". Deadline.
- ↑ "The Wicked Broadway Cameos You May Have Missed in the Wicked Movie". (en-US) NBC Insider Official Site (2024-11-22).
- ↑ "Alice Fearn confirmed for Wicked movie". (en-US) (2024-11-10).
- ↑ "All the West End and musical stars you can spot in the first Wicked movie". (en-GB) (November 20, 2024).
- ↑ "Kerry Ellis confirms involvement in Wicked movie adaptation". (en-US) (January 29, 2024).
- ↑ Stagedoor. "Wicked the Movie: A Theatrical Legacy Brought to the Big Screen by Stagedoor Editors on Stagedoor". (en) Stagedoor.
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