As a long-time fan of Oz lore, I can confidently say that Jon M. Chu has breathed new life into the Land of Oz with his upcoming adaptation of Wicked. With Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande leading the cast as Elphaba and Glinda respectively, I am eager to see how these two complex characters navigate their friendship and destiny in a world far removed from the one we remember from The Wizard of Oz.
Are you convinced that you know the Land of Oz inside and out? You might want to reconsider! Director Jon M. Chu (known for films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights”) encourages viewers to let go of any prior assumptions about Munchkinland, the Emerald City, and the Yellow Brick Road, as a fresh take on “Wicked” is set to premiere on the big screen.
Divided into two segments, the eagerly anticipated screen adaptation delves into an alternate origin story for the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, originally known as Elphaba, a green-skinned outcast. Portrayed by Cynthia Erivo from “The Outsider,” this gifted sorceress studies at the esteemed Shiz University, where she unwillingly forms an alliance with the popular Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, a Grammy-winning artist. Upon graduation, these young women journey to the Emerald City to encounter the Wizard, who turns out not to be as admirable as he seems. This disappointing revelation eventually causes a rift between Elphaba and Glinda, as their fates diverge onto distinct paths.
A subtle and multi-dimensional interpretation of the traditional L. Frank Baum narratives (often linked to the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz”) necessitated a reimagining of Oz that seemed authentic and inhabited.
How the Oz in Wicked will differ from previous Wizard of Oz adaptations
During an interview with Empire for their recent issue, Chu hinted at a unique and uncooked perspective of Oz within the first 60 seconds. You’ll witness the authenticity of the 9 million tulips we actually planted.
In the musical, we find that the story starts with the citizens of Oz rejoicing over Dorothy’s watery defeat of the Wicked Witch. As Chu explained, “The stage production commences somewhat ominously, yet I felt it was cause for celebration since she had perished. Consequently, this should be a joyous event.” However, he added, “It initially seems more cheerful than the actual show, but then swiftly changes and becomes gloomier.”
When does the Wicked movie open in theaters?
The musical “Wicked” is set to fly on broomsticks into cinemas nationwide this coming Friday, November 22. On the contrary, the release date for “Wicked Part Two” has been planned for a grand entrance in theaters on November 26, 2025.
Back in the spring of 2022, I learned with excitement that the studio had decided to split the adaptation into two full-length movies.
It became apparent that condensing the story of “Wicked” into a single film would cause significant harm, so a decision was made to expand the project from one movie to TWO. This larger canvas will allow for a more faithful adaptation of the cherished tale, with additional room to delve deeper into the characters’ journeys and introduce unexpected elements that enrich the story.
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2024-08-27 20:31