Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is an upcoming musical fantasy film that releases in theaters on Friday, November 22. The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the good witch of the north.
The plot covers Elphaba, who is green-skinned, and her studies at Shiz University. It also explains her journey on becoming the wicked witch of the west, and how an unexpected friendship with her classmate forms, who eventually becomes Glinda, the good witch of the north. The movie follows their girlhood and growing friendship, and most importantly how they achieved their titles.
After long development with multiple delays because of Covid-19, Jon M. Chu was hired to direct the film with Eviro and Grande casted in their respective roles back in 2021. A decision was also made to split the film into two parts, so they could expand upon the journeys of the characters’ relationships, without cutting any major plot points and songs. Photography on the film began in December 2022 in England, but was paused in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. It was finally able to resume, and ended in January 2024. The movie finally premiered at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia on November 3, 2024. A theatrical release in the United States is scheduled for November 22, 2024. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to be released sometime in late 2025.
The film also includes a few appearances from The Wizard Of Oz, including the Cowardly Lion as a lion cub, and Dorothy Gale, who is a Kansas farm girl who is accidentally transported to the Land of Oz by a tornado with her dog Toto. The Tin Man, Scarecrow and an adult version of the Cowardly Lion, will also make a brief appearance in the film.
On April 16, 2023, the first pictures of the film were released on social media, featuring Grande as Glinda and Erivo as Elphaba. Their renditions of the songs “Popular,” and “Defying Gravity” were presented at CinemaCon on April 26, 2023, by the Universal Pictures chairwoman, Donna Langley.
“The pop megastar often delivers startling depth to her character before jumping into a musical number that will have you grinning from ear to ear. You sort of can’t believe what you’re watching.”
Gregory Ellwood of The Playlist
“One of the very best big screen adaptations of a Broadway musical ever.”
Scott Menzel, Journalist
