As a gamer who’s been around the block a few times, I can’t help but be impressed by Ariana Grande‘s unwavering determination to bring Glinda to life on the big screen. From her chance encounter with Kristen Chenoweth as a young girl to her relentless auditioning at Universal Pictures, it’s clear that she’s been chasing this role for over half her lifetime! And let me tell you, when I was that age, I was still trying to beat Super Mario Bros. 3 on Nintendo.
It appears that Ariana Grande has long been slated to portray Glinda, the benevolent witch who traverses bubbles in the movie version of “Wicked”, which will premiere in theaters nationwide on November 22. At just ten years old, the future Grammy winner had a fortuitous encounter with Kristen Chenoweth, the original character’s performer, backstage after a Broadway performance of this renowned musical.
Ten years after turning 20, Grande started trying out for the movie adaptation at Universal Pictures. At 31 now, fans are eagerly anticipating seeing Grande in the part that she’s spent her entire life working towards.
How badly did Ariana Grande want the role of Glinda in the Wicked movie?
In an interview with Vanity Fair, director Jon M. Chu (known for films like “In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians”) mentioned that Ariana Grande auditioned numerous times. He initially found it hard to believe she could pull off the role, as it seemed almost effortless to say, ‘Ariana Grande.’ However, each time she auditioned, she stood out as the most captivating individual, making it impossible not to be mesmerized by her presence.
As a fellow enthusiast, I can relate to Ariana Grande’s eagerness for that role. Yet, even with the competition fierce, she didn’t shy away from lending a hand to the other Glinda contenders, many of whom were acquaintances and some who weren’t as familiar with the material. In her own words, “I was making an effort to be completely open with everyone. I shared my rehearsals, what songs I was practicing, when I was going in for auditions, expressing my affection, and even exchanging numbers.
What is Wicked about?
In Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel titled “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”, the upcoming Broadway musical and films are a prelude to the classic tale of “The Wizard of Oz”. Instead of focusing on Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, these adaptations delve into the story of the character who will eventually become their adversary.
Initially, Elphaba, often referred to as the Wicked Witch of the West and later portrayed by Cynthia Erivo (from “The Outsider”), was a brilliant student at the esteemed Shiz University, sharing a dorm with Glinda. However, her life takes a turn for the worse when she encounters the supposedly benevolent Wizard in the Emerald City, whose true nature might not live up to our previous perceptions of him (Jeff Goldblum assuming this role).
In 2013, Maguire stated that he aimed to expand and elaborate on the history of Oz. He wanted to understand how the entire society functioned, both in the past and potentially in the future, based on people’s behavior. To achieve this, he made a list of questions that a cultural anthropologist might ask when encountering a new population. These included: What are the patterns of inheritance? Are there class divisions? How do individuals within a particular clan interact with other clans and with differences within their own clan? What is the societal view on gender? What are the customs surrounding marriage, birth, and death? Furthermore, he questioned how stories and beliefs shaped this society.
When does Wicked open in theaters?
Written by Winnie Holzman, who penned the original musical’s script, the movie adaptation of Wicked will be released in cinemas on Friday, November 22. The sequel is set to premiere in theatres approximately a year later on November 21, 2025.
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2024-10-07 19:01