First Look And Updated Release Date for ‘Wicked’
Today, the world got its first look at the highly-anticipated Wicked film, courtesy of its two leading ladies, AND the film has an updated release date. Now reported to hit theaters on November 27, 2024, Wicked stars Broadway’s Cynthia Erivo as the Wicked Witch Elphaba and singer Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch. It was originally slated for a December 25, 2024, release, but the production was delayed by COVID-19.
Erivo and Grande made simultaneous but separate posts on their individual Instagram accounts. Erivo posted a mysterious image of Elphaba in her iconic witch wardrobe, holding a broom and cape flowing. The circular designs and arches stay true to the Original Broadway set, sparking hope that the movie will be a detailed and faithful film adaptation of the stage musical.
Erivo captioned the post, “Looking toward the sky that is Western,” which is a nod to lyrics in the Act I finale song Defying Gravity.
Grande left her post captionless, but fans spent no time wondering. Grande’s image is a bit darker, making the background challenging to discern. Glinda is running up a long narrow staircase, but there is little else to see around her. Her perfectly pink dress is the only thing the eye wants to look at anyway. With a full, flowing skirt, Grande seems almost like she’s floating up the stairs. This is just how Glinda would have it, considering she prefers to travel by bubble.
The internet has already fallen in love, despite the darkly lit and far away first images.
The film is based on the hit 2003 Broadway show about the Wicked Witch’s side of The Wizard of Oz (1939) story. The musical is based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. The musical boasts music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. Disney fans will recognize Schwartz’s work on Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), and Enchanted (2007), as well as DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt (1998).
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The original cast included Kristen Chenoweth as Glinda and Disney powerhouse Idina Menzel as Elphaba. Audiences will recognize Menzel and the voice of Elsa in Frozen (2013).
Fans have faith that Cythina Erivo and Ariana Grande will do the roles justice. Wicked (2024) will be directed by John M. Chu and also star Jonathon Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode. Mark your calendars for November 27, 2024!
