Wicked has begun its marketing campaign, and the film is still in production.
The iconic Broadway show film adaptation has dropped some photos, teasing the first look at Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Glinda – though they have been slammed on social media somewhat for being wide shots and dimly lit images.
Based on the hit stage musical that serves as a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s children’s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, both installments of Universal’s Wicked are being directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians), while the stage show’s book writer Winne Holzman and composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz have penned the script.
Chu took to social to share the first images from the production; check out the tweet below…
I’ve already been changed for good by these two women… #CynthiaErivo & #ArianaGrande as the Witches of Oz. They will lift ur spirits, break ur heart and leave you speechless with their voices. So excited to introduce you into our world… SO much more to come…… pic.twitter.com/Z2eDt3aWX0
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) April 16, 2023
Cynthia Erivo will lead the film as the green-skinned Elphaba, who turns into the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside Ariana Grande as the sorceress Glinda, who becomes the Good Witch. Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Aaron Teoh, and Colin Michael Carmichael will also star.
Jon M. Chu is directing both film installments, with Part 1 releasing on December 25th, 2024, and Part 2 on December 25th, 2025.