When word first hit in the early 2000s that a musical based on “The Wizard of Oz” was coming, everyone kinda had the same thought. “We already have that. It’s called ‘The Wiz,’ and it’s great.” But things slowly were revealed about this new take- it would be different, there would be no Dorothy (technically), and it would be a prequel about the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda. Needless to say, when it finally premiered in 2003, it REALLY took the world by storm. Kinda surprising honestly that it’s taken so long to get a film version done like the one we’re getting later this year!
This film takes it’s cues from the smash hit musical “Wicked” (music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman), which in turn was based on Gregory Maguire‘s 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” And THAT was a take on the classic 1939 MGM film, “The Wizard of Oz;” which was an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 14 “Oz” books. To say there is a legacy with these characters and this world is kind of an understatement?
Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo and multi-Grammy winner Ariana Grande star as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. Pay ALL THE ATTENTION to that man behind the curtain, as Jeff Goldblum will play The Wizard. Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh plays their reigning headmistress, Madame Morrible. Newcomer Marissa Bode will play Nessarose, Elphaba’s wheelchair using sister.
Johnathan Bailey (“Bridgerton“) will play the part of Elphaba’s love interest, Fiyero. Ethan Slater (“Fosse/Verdon“) will play Boq. Fun fact- Slater is actually Grande’s real-life beau. Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live“) and Bronwyn James will play two new characters created for the film, Pfannee and ShenShen. Keala Settle, Aaron Teoh, Colin Michael Carmichael, and Adam James round out the named cast.
“Crazy Rich Asians” helmer Jon M. Chu directs BOTH parts, as this project has been split into two films.
“Wicked Part One” is set to hit theaters November 27th, 2024. “Part Two” will release the following year on November 26th, 2025. You can check out the first trailer now:
