Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Shine in ‘Wicked’ 2024: A Magical Retelling of the Beloved Musical

The highly anticipated film adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked‘ is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2024. Directed by Jon M. Chu and written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, the film is the first part of a two-part adaptation of the stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman, which is loosely based on Gregory Maguire‘s 1995 novel of the same name.

The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the green-skinned witch who would eventually become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The cast also includes Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard.

The story follows Elphaba’s journey at Shiz University and her unlikely friendship with Glinda, setting the stage for their eventual paths as adversaries in the Land of Oz. The film premiered at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia on November 3, 2024, and has garnered significant praise for its performances and production. Erivo and Grande have been particularly lauded for their roles, with critics noting their compelling and nuanced portrayals of the complex characters.

The production faced several delays, including disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Principal photography began in December 2022 in England and concluded in January 2024. The decision to split the film into two parts was made to fully capture the epic scope of the story and to ensure that no major plot points or songs were omitted.

Reviews have highlighted the strong chemistry between Erivo and Grande, as well as the impressive production values. Despite some critics finding the music not as memorable as other musicals, the overall consensus is that the film’s story, performances, and production make it a standout musical of the year.