After years of eagerly anticipated waiting, the iconic Broadway musical Wicked is finally spreading its wings and soaring onto the big screen. This cinematic adaptation promises to be a spectacular spectacle, with an A-list cast that includes Ariana Grande as the bubbly Glinda, Cynthia Erivo as the enigmatic Elphaba, and Jonathan Bailey as the dashing Fiyero.
But the star power doesn’t end there. Michelle Yeoh joins the ensemble as Madame Morrible, the enigmatic headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University, and Jeff Goldblum brings his quirky charm to the role of the Wizard himself. Peter Dinklage lends his voice to the talking goat and professor Dr. Dillamond, while Broadway’s Ethan Slater shines as Boq, a Munchkin student. Marissa Bode portrays Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, and Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James add their comedic flair as Glinda’s friends, Pfannee and ShenShen. Completing the cast is Keala Settle as Miss Coddle, a new character created exclusively for the film.
This cinematic adaptation of Wicked has been a long-awaited dream for fans of the beloved musical. The project first entered development in 2004, shortly after the show’s dazzling Broadway debut. But the wait will be well worth it, as the film promises to bring the story to life in a breathtaking way. In April 2022, director Jon M. Chu announced that the musical would be divided into two films, the first of which is set to enchant audiences on November 27, 2024, with the second installment following on November 26, 2025.
To ensure the film remains faithful to its stage roots while expanding its world and characters, composer Stephen Schwartz, who penned the original music and lyrics, and Winnie Holzman, who wrote the dialogue, are collaborating on the screenplays. Three-time Oscar nominee Marc Platt is producing the film, bringing his wealth of experience in bringing Broadway musicals to the big screen.
As the countdown to the first film’s release continues, fans can revisit Ariana Grande’s captivating rendition of “The Wizard and I,” which she performed live during a TV special marking Wicked’s 15th anniversary in 2018. It was a performance that hinted at her lifelong dream of playing Glinda, a dream that is now beautifully coming true. Some dreams, it seems, are destined to take flight.
