Wicked: Part One

Last updated

Wicked: Part One
Wicked Part 1 Poster.jpeg
Official logo of the two-part film adaptation, with Part One's release date.
Directed by Jon M. Chu
Screenplay by
Based on
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Alice Brooks
Music byStephen Schwartz
Production
company
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date
  • November 27, 2024 (2024-11-27)(United States)
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Wicked: Part One (also known as Wicked) is an upcoming epic musical fantasy film directed by Jon M. Chu and adapted to the screen by Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz. It is the first of a two-part film adaptation of their 2003 stage musical of the same name, which is in turn based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire and characters from L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz . The film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh in supporting roles. Set in the Land of Oz, the film revolves around Elphaba, a green-skinned woman, and explores the path that leads her to become the Wicked Witch of the West.

Contents

In 2012, Universal Pictures announced the film's development with Marc Platt as a producer. After a long development and multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chu was hired to direct, with Erivo and Grande cast in their respective roles in 2021. Principal photography began in December 2022 in England.

Wicked: Part One scheduled for release on November 27, 2024, while a sequel will be released the following year.

Premise

The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.[ citation needed ]

Cast

Production

Development

Jon M. Chu 2013.jpg
Stephen Schwartz 20181201-6013 (cropped).jpg
Director Jon M. Chu (left) and composer Stephen Schwartz

In 2003, the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was adapted as the Broadway musical Wicked . The musical was produced by Universal Pictures' stage division and directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. The Broadway production has inspired long-run productions in Chicago, London's West End, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the United States, as well as Germany and Japan. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards, winning three, and is the 6th longest-running Broadway show in history, with over 6,100 performances. The original Broadway production starred Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda.

In a 2009 interview, Maguire stated that he had sold the rights to ABC to make an independent non-musical TV adaptation of Wicked. It would not be based on Winnie Holzman's script. [1] On January 9, 2011, it was reported by Entertainment Weekly that ABC would be teaming up with Salma Hayek and her production company to create a TV miniseries of Wicked based solely on Maguire's novel. No further information, such as casting, had been revealed yet. [2]

Original Broadway cast members Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda and Idina Menzel as Elphaba were mentioned as possible film leads. Lea Michele and Amy Adams were also rumored to be potential leads. Potential writers included Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz, while J. J. Abrams, Rob Marshall and Ryan Murphy were mentioned as possible candidates for director. [3] In December 2012, following the success of Les Misérables , [4] [5] Marc Platt, also a producer of the stage version, announced the film was going ahead, [6] later confirming the film was aiming for a 2016 release. [7] After a long development, Universal announced in 2017 that the film would be released in theaters on December 20, 2019, with Stephen Daldry directing. [8]

Pre-production

In May 2017, Schwartz stated that the film would feature "at least two" new songs. [9] On August 31, 2018, Universal put the film on hold, due to production scheduling, and gave the film adaptation of Cats the release date formerly held by the film. [10] On February 8, 2019, Universal announced a new release date of December 22, 2021, for the Wicked film. [11] On April 1, 2020, Universal put the film on hold once again due to Universal shifting release dates amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and gave Sing 2 the 2021 release date. [12] On October 20, 2020, it was announced that Daldry had left the production due to scheduling conflicts. On February 2, 2021, it was announced that Jon M. Chu will take over as director. [13] [14] In August, Alice Brooks was confirmed as the film's cinematographer, after working with Chu before on the film version of In the Heights . [15]

Cynthia Erivo (82023) (cropped).jpg
Ariana Grande Grammys Red Carpet 2020.png
The film stars Cynthia Erivo (left) and Ariana Grande.

In November, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were cast to portray Glinda and Elphaba, respectively. [16] In June 2022, Chu confirmed the hiring of Nathan Crowley as production designer. [17] On September 21, 2022, it was reported that Jonathan Bailey had joined the cast as Fiyero. [18] In October 2022, it was announced that Jeff Goldblum was in final talks to star as The Wizard. [19] Goldblum remained in talks by December, when Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Aaron Teoh and Colin Michael Carmichael were added to the cast. [20] [21] [22]

About preparing for the role of Elphaba, Erivo said to Variety , while expressing her desire to see the stage version on Broadway again before filming: "I'm relearning everything ... I want to go and see it again. ... When I get to New York at some point I'll pop in and see the show again, that'll be my fifth time." She also said at that time that discussions were underway on what the film will look like, particularly its production design and visual style, while confirming the hiring of Paul Tazewell as costume designer. Her request to him for Elphaba's costume when she becomes the Wicked Witch of the West involved "a Jean Paul Gaultier collection with a 'new world, kind of gilded age' feeling." [23]

Filming

Principal photography was set to commence in June 2022 at the Sky Studios Elstree facilities in the United Kingdom. [24] In July 2021, Stephen Schwartz indicated there were plans to film in Atlanta in 2021. [25] On April 26, 2022, Chu announced the adaptation will be filmed in two parts, saying: [26]

As we prepared the production over the last year, it became impossible to wrestle the story of 'Wicked' into a single film without doing some real damage to it ... As we tried to cut songs or trim characters, those decisions began to feel like fatal compromises to the source material that has entertained us all for so many years. We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one 'Wicked' movie but two! With more space, we can tell the story of 'Wicked' as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys for these beloved characters.

In June 2022, Stephen Schwartz added, while confirming that a new song will be written for one of the two films: [27]

We found it very difficult to get past 'Defying Gravity' without a break ... That song is written specifically to bring a curtain down, and whatever scene to follow it without a break just seemed hugely anti-climactic ... Even as a very long single movie, it required us cutting or omitting things that we wanted to include and that we think fans of the show and the story will appreciate. What we have discussed is that changes need to be 'additive,' to use (producer) Marc Platt's term. They need to add something to the story or the characters. They can't just be changes to do something different. I feel confident that by the time the movie is made, if we all continue to have the same degree of input, I could have a conversation with anyone who has a question about any of the changes made from the stage show and justify why I think it's better for the movie.

On July 18, 2022, it was revealed that with the filming process settled at the newly-built Sky Studios in Elstree, England, rehearsals would begin in August with principal photography beginning in November. [28] On December 9, 2022, Chu confirmed on Twitter that filming had begun. [29]

A 23 September 2022 Planning Statement, in support of a planning application submitted on behalf of Western Sky Limited, indicated that outdoor filming would occur at a site being developed at Ivinghoe Turf [30] in Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire, UK. The planned shooting dates are between 6 April 2023 and 25 July 2023. [31]

Release

Wicked: Part One was originally scheduled to be released theatrically on December 25, 2024, by Universal Pictures, [26] but on March 14, 2023, it was announced that it will be moved up and is now set to be released on November 27, 2024. [32]

Marketing

The official logo artwork for the film and its sequel was unveiled at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas on March 14, 2023. [33]

Sequel

Originally announced as one film, Wicked was split into two films in April 2022. The sequel, Wicked: Part Two, is scheduled to be released on December 25, 2025. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glinda</span> The Wonderful Wizard of Oz character

Glinda is a fictional character created by L. Frank Baum for his Oz novels. She first appears in Baum's 1900 children's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and is the most powerful sorceress in the Land of Oz, ruler of the Quadling Country South of the Emerald City, and protector of Princess Ozma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wicked Witch of the West</span> Fictional antagonist in L. Frank Baums childrens book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wicked Witch of the West is a fictional character who appears in the classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), created by American author L. Frank Baum. In Baum's subsequent Oz novels, it is the Nome King who is the principal villain; the Wicked Witch of the West is rarely even referred to again after her death in the first book.

<i>Wicked</i> (Maguire novel) 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is an American novel published in 1995, written by Gregory Maguire with illustrations by Douglas Smith. It is the first in The Wicked Years series, and was followed by Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, and Out of Oz. In 2003, it was adapted as the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Wicked. The musical is in the process of being adapted into a feature film.

Elphaba Thropp is a fictional character in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, as well as in the Broadway and West End adaptations, Wicked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoshana Bean</span> American actress and singer-songwriter (born 1977)

Shoshana E. Bean is an American singer, songwriter, YouTuber, and stage actress. She has released three records and has appeared on many theater cast recordings and film soundtracks. In 2022, Bean received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Susan Young in Mr. Saturday Night.

<i>Wicked</i> (musical) 2003 musical by Stephen Schwartz

Wicked is a 2003 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. It is loosely based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, in turn based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film adaptation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eden Espinosa</span> American actress and singer (born 1978)

Eden Erica Espinosa is an American actress and singer who is best known for her performances as Elphaba for the Broadway, Los Angeles, and San Francisco productions of the musical Wicked. In 2022, she was nominated for the Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program for her role as the Queen of Hearts in Alice's Wonderland Bakery.

"Popular" is a song from the Tony Award-winning musical Wicked. It is performed by the Broadway company's original Glinda, Kristin Chenoweth, on the original Broadway cast recording. The song is about a popular girl (Glinda) trying to help her unpopular roommate (Elphaba) become more popular.

"Defying Gravity" is the signature song from the musical Wicked, composed by Stephen Schwartz, originally recorded by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on November 10, 2003, and released on December 16, 2003. It is mostly a solo sung by the main character of the show, Elphaba, with two small duets at the beginning and in the middle of the song between Elphaba and her friend Glinda, and a chorus part at the end in which the citizens of Oz sing.

"For Good" is a musical number from the hit musical Wicked. It is sung as a duet between Elphaba and Glinda as a farewell. The song's score and lyrics were written by composer Stephen Schwartz.

"No Good Deed" is a musical number from the hit Broadway musical Wicked. It is sung by Elphaba, the main character of the show. It is widely regarded as the most powerful piece of the musical; and the most emotional.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexia Khadime</span> British actress and singer

Alexia Khadime is a British actress and mezzo-soprano, known for her roles in musical theatre and television.

The Wicked Years is a series of novels by Gregory Maguire that present a revisionist take on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, its 1939 film adaptation, and related books.

Donna Marie Vivino is an American theatre, television, film actress and singer. She is well known for playing Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked and as the original Young Cosette in Les Misérables on Broadway. She was seen on Law & Order in January 2023 as guest star Rachel Ford. She will be appearing in the upcoming films "Family Affair" and "Inappropriate Behavior" with Bobby Cannavale.

Jemma Rix is an Australian theatre performer, who has played the role of Elphaba in the Melbourne, Sydney, Australian and Asian touring companies of Wicked. Rix first performed the role in the shortened 30-minute version of the show at Universal Studios Japan. She was an original cast member of the Australian premiere production as the standby for Elphaba.

"I'm Not That Girl" is a showtune from the musical Wicked, based on the novel, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West", by Gregory Maguire. It was composed by Stephen Schwartz, originally recorded by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (reprise) on November 10, 2003, and released on December 16, 2003. It is a solo sung by the main character of the show, Elphaba Thropp in the first act and Glinda in the reprise in the second act.

Chandra Lee Schwartz is an American theatre performer, who played Glinda on the First National Tour of Wicked from Friday, 21 August 2009, through Sunday, 17 April 2011. She originally starred alongside Donna Vivino as Elphaba, who was later replaced by Jackie Burns. Schwartz recently reprised the role of Glinda in the Broadway production of Wicked beginning September 27, 2011. Her final performance was held on October 14, 2012 alongside former national tour co-star, Jackie Burns. She returned to the role of Glinda on the First National Tour, on July 29, 2014, with Emma Hunton as Elphaba. She closed the production, alongside Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba, on March 15, 2015. She was recently cast as Annie in the upcoming world premiere of a musical adaptation of Sleepless in Seattle.

<i>The Wizard of Oz</i> (2011 musical) 2011 musical based on the 1939 film

The Wizard of Oz is a 2011 musical based on the 1939 film of the same name in turn based on L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with a book adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams. The musical uses the Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg songs from the film and includes some new songs and additional music by Lloyd Webber and additional lyrics by Tim Rice. It is the third stage musical adaptation of the film following the 1945 version for the St. Louis Municipal Opera and the 1987 version for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cynthia Erivo</span> British actress, singer and songwriter (born 1987)

Cynthia Erivo is an English actress, singer, and songwriter. She is the recipient of several accolades, including a Grammy Award and a Tony Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.

<i>A Very Wicked Halloween</i> 2018 American TV series or program

A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway is a Halloween television special commemorating fifteen years since the premiere of the musical Wicked on Broadway. The concert special aired on NBC on October 29, 2018, and was hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, and featured performances by Ariana Grande, Adam Lambert, Ledisi and Pentatonix.

References

  1. ↑ "Gregory Maguire on Wickedness Post-Bush". Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  2. ↑ "ABC, Salma Hayek developing 'Wicked' miniseries". EW.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  3. ↑ Jamie Sharp (September 6, 2010). "Finally – Wicked: The Movie This Way Comes!". Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  4. ↑ Universal Chairman Wants 'Fifty Shades' for Summer 2014, More 'Bourne' and 'Van Helsing' Reboot (Q&A) Archived 2013-06-05 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 21, 2013
  5. ↑ LES MIS Hit Status Leading To WICKED At Universal? Archived 2013-03-13 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 21, 2013
  6. ↑ WICKED Film to Enter Development 'Soon' Archived 2016-03-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved December 13, 2012
  7. ↑ "Wicked movie finally seems to be on course, set for 2016 release". Film Divider. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Universal's 'Wicked' Movie Adaptation Gets December 2019 Release". Hollywood Reporter. June 16, 2016. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Stephen Schwartz: 'Wicked' Movie to Feature 'at Least Two' New Songs" Archived 2020-07-06 at the Wayback Machine variety.com.
  10. ↑ "'Cats' Will Pounce During Christmas 2019 Frame; 'Wicked' Moves" Archived 2018-08-31 at the Wayback Machine deadline.com.
  11. ↑ "Wicked Feature Adaptation Moved to December 2021" Archived January 20, 2021, at the Wayback Machine Comingsoon.net.
  12. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (April 1, 2020). "'Minions: The Rise Of Gru', 'Sing 2' Set New 2021 Release Dates; 'Wicked' Still Brewing Slot". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ "'Wicked' Director Stephen Daldry Exits Universal Movie Musical Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. October 20, 2020. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020.
  14. ↑ Kroll, Justin (February 2, 2021). "'Wicked': Jon M. Chu Tapped To Direct Universal's Film Adaptation". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  15. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (August 31, 2021). "'Wicked' Movie Will Reunite Director Jon M. Chu With His 'In the Heights' Cinematographer Alice Brooks". Collider. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ Shaffer, Ellise; Donnelly, Matt (November 4, 2021). "Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to Star in 'Wicked' Musical for Universal". Variety . Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  17. ↑ O'Connell, Sean (June 1, 2022). "Jon M. Chu's Praise For Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo Will Get You Hyped For The Wicked Movie". CINEMABLEND. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  18. ↑ Malkin, Marc (September 21, 2022). "Jonathan Bailey Joins 'Wicked' Movies as Fiyero (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  19. ↑ Malkin, Marc (October 28, 2022). "Jeff Goldblum in Final Talks to Join 'Wicked' Movies as the Wizard (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  20. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (December 7, 2022). "Wicked Movie Casts Ethan Slater Opposite Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  21. ↑ Malkin, Marc (December 8, 2022). "Michelle Yeoh to Star in Wicked Movies as Madame Morrible (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  22. ↑ Kroll, Justin (December 9, 2022). "Wicked Adaptation At Universal Rounds Out Inclusive All-Star Cast With Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  23. ↑ Urban, Sasha (April 4, 2022). "Cynthia Erivo Says She Wants to See 'Wicked' One More Time Before Making the Movie". Variety . Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  24. ↑ Kit, Borys (October 27, 2021). "Universal's 'Wicked' Movie Hits New Speed Bump". The Hollywood Reporter . PMRC. Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  25. ↑ Wood, Alex (July 2, 2021). "Stephen Schwartz: Wicked movie to start production later this year in Georgia". WhatsOnStage . Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  26. 1 2 3 D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 26, 2022). "Universal Releasing 'Wicked' Musical In Two Parts". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  27. ↑ Willman, Chris (June 28, 2022). "'Wicked' Songwriter Stephen Schwartz on Why the Movie Must Be a Two-Parter: Nothing Can Follow 'Defying Gravity'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  28. ↑ Major, Michael (July 18, 2022). "WICKED Movie to Begin Principal Photography in November". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Lost my phone…so I couldn't keep up today with the announcements especially while we were shooting day 3 here in London. Just know things are going great. The #WickedMovie is really happening and I have 3 days of footage of prove it :) oh also JEFF GOLDBLUME IS THE WIZARD!!!!". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  30. ↑ Audits, DJ. "Ivinghoe Turf 360° Outdoor Set Construction". Google Maps. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  31. ↑ "PLANNING STATEMENT TO SUPPORT APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION (INCLUDING DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT)" . Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  32. ↑ Petski, Densie (March 14, 2023). "Universal Moves Up 'Wicked' Part 1 Release Date". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  33. ↑ https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-the-WICKED-Movie-20220416
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.