Cynthia Erivo recalls going to see Wicked on her 25th birthday and feeling like she was floating on air. And in Universal’s new Wicked featurette, Ariana Grande says she saw the original Broadcast cast when she was just 10 years old and formed an immediate bond with the material.
In the Heights‘ Jon M. Chu directs from a screenplay by Winnie Holzman, based on the musical Wicked, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman, from the novel by Gregory Maguire. Marc Platt (The Little Mermaid) and David Stone (Kimberly Akimbo) serve as producers, with David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz, and Jared LeBoff executive producing.
“Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart,” reads Universal’s synopsis.
“The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.”
The cast of the film adaptation also includes Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once) as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible. Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) plays Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince. Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) is Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student. Marissa Bode makes her feature film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister. And Jeff Goldblum is the legendary Wizard of Oz.
Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots) play Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda. Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) plays Miss Coddle, a new character created for the film. Four-time Emmy winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) is the voice of Dr. Dillamond.
Wicked premieres in theaters on November 27, 2024, followed by Wicked Part Two on November 26, 2025.
