As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for musicals and a soft spot for adaptations of beloved Broadway shows, I must admit that the recent debacle surrounding the poster for “Wicked” has left me somewhat perplexed. On one hand, it’s heartening to see such enthusiasm from fans, eagerly altering promotional materials to pay tribute to the original. However, on the other, it’s disheartening to witness the unintentional offense caused to actress Cynthia Erivo, whose visage is front and center in this new adaptation.
As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been quite captivated by Universal Pictures’ escalating hype for the upcoming film, “Wicked.” Lately, they’ve unveiled a series of posters that have undeniably stoked my curiosity, anticipation rising as we edge closer to its November premiere. The marketing approach has been nothing short of impressive, with pre-sales reportedly trailing only behind those of this year’s Deadpool and Wolverine.
The original poster art for the Broadway show is an illustration that shows Elphaba with her signature hat covering her eyes, with Glinda leaning over and whispering in her ear. The latest movie poster for Wicked is a clear homage to that artwork, but Elphaba’s eyes are not blocked by her hat, allowing you to see Erivo’s eyes as Ariana Grande’s Glinda whispers in her ear. Many fans altered the poster and posted it on various social media platforms with Erivo’s eyes covered, using AI and other photo editing tools to do so. They may have thought they were doing something cool with the image, but Erivo took to her Instagram story to reveal how “offensive” the edited version was and called out other changes to the image, detailing AI tools that were used to depict the two characters fighting.
Fans have taken creative liberties with the poster design, referencing aspects that Erivo highlighted on her Instagram story. While some may find these modifications amusing, others might consider them as making the image more reminiscent of the original Broadway show’s promotional artwork. It’s understandable why the actress would be upset, given the significance of having her face as the main focus on the poster, setting this adaptation apart from the musical it was based on. Erivo also pointed out another alteration in her Instagram story, which can be seen below.
Wicked Is Headed for Box Office Gold
As a cinema enthusiast, I can confidently say that the upcoming release of “Wicked” is set to dazzle at the box office, based on its impressive pre-sales figures. Some industry experts are even predicting an opening weekend revenue exceeding $120 million, which would make it one of the biggest movie musical debuts in recent years. Unlike other modern musical films, “Wicked” doesn’t shy away from its musical roots. And with devoted fans of the Broadway show eagerly awaiting this adaptation, there’s no way clever marketing strategies could deter them from catching this film on opening weekend.
Under the direction of Jon M. Chu, from a script penned by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, the movie titled Wicked marks the first part of the film adaptation of the renowned Broadway musical bearing the same name, written by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. Originally based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, this motion picture adapts the initial act of the musical, narrating Elphaba’s (Erivo) tale before she transforms into the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. Her journey unfolds as she commences her education at Shiz University and forms a complex bond with Glinda (Grande), who eventually becomes known as Glinda the Good. The film boasts an impressive cast that includes Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Peter Dinklage, and Marissa Bode.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-16 19:35