Wicked (also marketed as Wicked: Part One) is a 2024 American musical fantasy film. It is the first of a planned two-part cinematic adaptation of the Stephen Schwartz musical of the same name, itself based on the novels by Gregory Maguire. Jon M. Chu helms both films from screenplays by Schwartz and Winnie Holzman.
Like the musical and books before it, the film is a Perspective Flip prequel of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, focusing on the schooling years of Elphaba (portrayed by Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) — the future Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the South respectively. Green-skinned Elphaba arrives at Shiz an outcast, but forms an unlikely friendship with the popular Glinda, a budding relationship with the handsome Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), and mentorship from Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). However, Elphaba's significant magical power and her determination to remain true to herself and forge her own path will have significant consequences. And of course, that's all before the arrival of a certain Dorothy Gale...
The film also stars Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, and Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond along with Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, and Adam James in supporting roles. It is slated for release on November 27, 2024, with Part Two planned for release in 2025.
Previews: First Look
Wicked contains examples of:
- Adaptation Expansion: Due to becoming a two-part film, Wicked will feature at least two new songs.
- Floating in a Bubble: Glinda is seen floating in a magical bubble in the first look trailer.
- Gender Flip: Bowen Yang plays Pfannee, a minor female character in the novel and stage productions.
- Holding Hands: One particular shot in the first look focuses on Elphaba and Glinda grabbing each other's hands to hold.
- Lots of Luggage: The prissy Glinda arrives in a boat filled to the brim with pink luggage in the first look trailer.
- Movie Multipack: According to Jon M. Chu, the film was split into two parts because it would've been hard to adapt Wicked into a single movie without making some major changes.
- Single-Palette Town: The first look trailer gives us a look at the appropriately-named Emerald City, which features green buildings, green trains, and green interiors.
- Witch Classic: The green-skinned mage-in-training Elphaba gains black robes, a black pointy hat, and a flying broom in the first look trailer, making her look like a witch of yore.
Elphaba: I'm not afraid. It's the wizard who should be afraid of me.
