Take a look above at the three-and-a-half-minute official trailer that’s arrived for Wicked, a big-screen adaptation of the stage musical that’s been attracting audiences for over twenty years. This is to be the first of two parts.
The film stars Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her striking green skin, yet to unlock her true potential. Opposite her is the global superstar Ariana Grande, portraying Glinda, a privileged and ambitious young woman still searching for her true heart.
At Shiz University, located in the mystical Land of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda form an unlikely yet profound friendship. However, their bond is tested after a fateful meeting with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Glinda’s insatiable desire for popularity leads her down a path of power, while Elphaba’s steadfast commitment to her true self and those she cares about sets her on a course with unexpected and shocking repercussions. Their extraordinary journeys in Oz ultimately define them as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
The cast also includes Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as the elegant headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) as the roguish prince Fiyero; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s SpongeBob SquarePants) as the altruistic Munchkin, Boq; Marissa Bode in her film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favoured sister; and the iconic Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.
The film is directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), adapted for the screen by the stage production’s book writer Winnie Holzman and legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz.
Wicked opens in US cinemas on November 27 and Australian cinemas on November 28. Wicked Part Two is slated for a 2025 release: US cinemas on November 26 and Australian cinemas on November 27.
