Wicked is an exciting two-part film which will be based on a two-part musical adapted from the famous broadway show of the same name and is derived from the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ written by Gregory Maguire. Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) is co-directing the musical, now the film chronicles the events behind the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good from The Wizard of Oz and relations of friendship, power, and identity.
Synopsis
The events unfold in Oz, long before Dorothy’s arrival and revolves around two girls – an unfortunate girl cursed to be born green named Elphaba and a willing blonde doll named Glinda who has everything going for her. During their upbringing and time spent at Shiz University, the two at first they are at odds but eventually become close friends.
Their friendship, however, faces strain as Elphaba begins to witness the ugly side of Oz under the Wizard and vows to bring change that ultimately turns her into the most hated Wicked Witch of the West. Simultaneously, Glinda walks a different path, a path that leads her to become the Good Witch.
The picture delves into the question of how such personality aberrations that stem from discord in perception of the same moral compass lead to two individuals turning out to be a complex result, one which questions goodness and evil.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Jon M. Chu
- Screenplay: Winnie Holzman (derived from the stage production) and Stephen Schwartz (composer & lyricist)
- Cast: Gloria in New York Times.
- Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.
- Ariana Grande as Glinda.
- Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero.
- Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard.
- Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible.
- Ethan Slater as Boq.
Release Schedule
- Part 1: The date of release is set for November 27, 2024.
- Part 2: It is anticipated for the year 2025, progressing the plot.
Music
The film will include classic numbers from the Broadway show such as Defying Gravity, Popular, and For Good, with Schwartz adapting the score for the film as well. There will definitely be more new songs composed for the film which will also be performed by its fans.
Cultural Significance
The Broadway musical Wicked won its first Tony award in 2003 and has been all the rage ever since. The epic narrative with wigs sundried by hysterical and popular music combined with a message of race differences, strength and self-love earned the musical multiple accolades transforming it into a Grammy and Tony award-winning best stage show.
The long-developing and the long full-fledged production of the motion picture brings this much loved story to the masses and always maintains the reputation of being a stage show. With a famed cast and Jon M. Chu as director with his style of filmmaking, many are anticipating an improvement in the visual aspects of the film as well as the emotional aspects.
Where to Watch
After its release, Wicked: Part 1 is expected to have a theatrical release globally before it can be streamed on Peacock and other platforms due to Universal Pictures’ distribution rights.
And for the loyalists who are excited to listen to the story again, the Broadway cast recording can be found on all major streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.