‘Wicked’ Starring Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo: All There Is To Know

“Wicked” is an upcoming Universal Pictures adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical with the same title. The 2003 musical was influenced by Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch Of The West,” published in 1995.

Fans can already feel the magic, as some of their favorite stars, including Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, were cast for the movie in November 2021. The two have shared their excitement for the film, and they reportedly confirmed that preparation for the movie has helped their relationship grow, as it is “a sisterhood” and “the most delightful thing ever.”

While we await more details about when the movie will hit cinemas, read on to find out what we do know so far. 

So far, Grande and Erivo are the only actresses confirmed to be in the movie. The two were cast as leads in the film, and Kristin Chenoweth, who introduced the Glinda character in the Broadway version, endorsed the two for the roles by showing her excitement. 

“I’m not sure if I’ve ever been this proud. From the very first day I met you...you were destined for this role. Congratulations @arianagrande!” She wrote on her Instagram. “The best Glinda you will be with @cynthiaerivo by your side, I love you!!” She said and tagged the official accounts for the movie and musical.

The Disney soundtrack star Idina Menzel, who played Elphaba in the musical, also encouraged Grande and Erivo. She wrote, “Congrats to two amazing women. May it change your lives for the better forever and ever as it has for us. So much love.”

The award-winning director and producer Stephen Daldry was reportedly the first choice as the movie director. Unfortunately, in October 2020, for reasons yet to be revealed, he officially quit production for “Wicked.”

However, fans have nothing to worry about as Jon M. Chu, the genius behind the 2018 Hollywood blockbuster “Crazy Rich Asians” and the movie version of the Broadway show “In the Heights” stepped in February 2021 and is now the director for the film.

Fans were also excited that several characters from the Broadway musical would be making appearances in the movie. Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz, who were co-writers of the songs and lyrics of the musical, will be dealing with the screenplay, and Marc Platt will be returning as the film’s producer.

Over time, several fans have wondered whether the plot of “Wicked” would be different from the Broadway version and how exactly. While there’s no official news, Erivo assured on the red carpet of the SAG Awards that the upcoming film would stand apart from the musical. 

When asked by Entertainment Tonight, she said, “I think it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. I think we’re going to enjoy the magic of it. We’re going to try and put our own spin on what we know already and show you a story about two women who are sisters.” 

A source also revealed that the film would have new music. According to Playbill, the film would probably have four new songs, three of which are entirely new, and the fourth one inspired by the musical. 

Erivo made it known to fans during the SAG Awards that rehearsals for the movie would officially begin in July, and she and Grande are eager to get to work. This gave fans the hope that the production would likely start before the year runs out.  

While the original release date for the film was set as December 22nd, 2021, “Wicked” was part of the long list of projects which were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore pushed back their release date. 

A new date for the release has yet to be publicly announced. However, fans believe that it’s most likely going to air between the end of 2023 and the start of 2024 since filming is yet to begin.