‘Wicked’ is a retelling of the story of the ‘Wicked: The life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, and made its Broadway premiere on October 30, 2003, in New York - it has now been turned into a movie that has already made a global total of $164.2 million since it was released.
This past weekend, I got the opportunity to watch this incredible film adaptation. With ‘Wicked’ living up to the rave reviews of late, it is safe to say that this film did not disappoint. From the bold characters to the vibrant and captivating songs, this film was perfect for all theatre geeks, and for all those who haven’t seen Wicked before.
The movie ‘Wicked’ starring Ariana Grande as Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba came out on 22nd November 2024 in the UK. It is the first of a two-part film adaptation of the stage musical, which was based on the 1995 novel. The novel was never aimed towards children, the author, Gregory Maguire, wrote the book thinking about the nature of good and evil.
After a long development and multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jon M. Chu was hired to direct. It was decided to split the film into two parts to expand upon the journeys and relationships between the characters, without cutting any songs and major plot points. Part 2 of this ‘Wicked’ retelling is due to come out in late 2025.
"When I first saw it a good few years ago, I felt like I recognised something in the character, the feeling of being on the outside, being a bit different, not fitting in… I hope that people see Elphaba and understand if they feel different, and if they feel like they're on the outside, that only makes them more special," actress Erivo said of her character, Elphaba, on US chat show The View.
And what does Ariana Grande think? On ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’, Ariana stated that it is like “taking your little self with you and grabbing its hand and saying we might have gotten far apart along the way but I've got you now and we are going together”. This comment from an actress as highly regarded as Grande, who has been present throughout the childhoods of many ‘Wicked’ watchers through her role as Cat Valentine in 2010’s ‘Victorious’, had an inspiring impact.
Grande has stated before that she wanted to play Glinda since she was 10 years old after being inspired by Kristen Chenoweth who played the character in 2004.
Wicked offers an experience that both fans of the West End hit and newcomers will treasure, whether you are eager to revisit the magical land of Oz or explore it for the very first time. From the movie's enthralling narrative that dives deep into friendship, identity, and the grey areas between good and evil, to its breathtaking visuals and passionate performances, this cinematic adaptation is a reminder of the beauty in being different and the power of embracing who we truly are. Do not miss the chance to witness this enchanting adventure unfold on the big screen!
