Wickeds Ariana Grande Shut Down a Hip-Hop Version of “Popular”

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As a seasoned moviegoer with a soft spot for musicals and a deep appreciation for the art of adaptation, I must say that the journey of “Wicked” has been nothing short of captivating. The tale’s transformation from stage to screen, under the deft hand of director Jon M. Chu, is nothing less than magical.

In relation to the musical “Wicked”, the original composer was approached about creating a hip-hop version of the song “Popular”. However, this concept was swiftly dismissed. The composer and lyricist stated that Ariana Grande didn’t wish for her character Glinda to be seen as an extension of her music career, which is why she showed no interest in modifying “Popular” to sound more pop-like.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Schwartz mentioned that he wished to revamp the film’s music: “To keep things fresh for the movie, my team and I considered updating the rhythm. Perhaps even giving it a bit of a hip-hop twist.” However, as the composer explained, the multiple Grammy Award winner promptly rejected this idea. Instead, Schwartz shared that the pop star expressed a desire to play “Glinda, not Ariana Grande portraying Glinda.

Apart from agreeing initially, Grande required some persuasion regarding the alteration in the finale of “Popular.” However, Schwartz managed to convince her that it was consistent with the character’s development, stating, “If I had conceived it for the initial series, this is how it would have played out.” It appears that the movie is striking the perfect chord, as Wicked stands among the most critically acclaimed musical adaptations and a significant box office success.

Oscar Chances for ‘Wicked’ and Ariana Grande

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from critics, it seems that the adaptation of “Wicked” is poised to compete for numerous awards this season. Both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who play Glinda and Elphaba respectively, have received near-unanimous acclaim for their performances. Additionally, director Jon M. Chu is predicted to be in contention for an Oscar nomination. Furthermore, the film stands a strong chance of excelling in technical categories like Makeup and Hairstyling, Production Design, Film Editing, Visual Effects, and Sound.

As a cinephile, I can confidently say that the captivating film “Wicked” is making a strong bid for the prestigious Best Picture Oscar. However, it’s going to be an uphill battle given the formidable competition from films such as “Anora,” “Conclave,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Emilia Perez,” and “The Brutalist.” Yet, with its impressive box office performance and exceeding expectations, it would be foolish to underestimate “Wicked.” Indeed, it’s already setting the bar high in a crowded winter film lineup.

The storyline for “Wicked” continues, as the release date for “Part Two” has been set for November 21, 2025. For those curious about what lies ahead, the movie’s director hints that “Wicked: Part Two” will delve into the repercussions of past events.

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2024-11-27 05:34