Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire and the hugely successful stage musical, Jon M. Chu’s upcoming musical fantasy adventure tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda; the film hits theaters November 2024.
If we were from Boston, we’d say this was a “wicked” Wicked teaser! Universal Pictures has shared a first-look teaser trailer and poster from Jon M. Chu’s upcoming musical fantasy adventure, Wicked. Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire and the hugely successful stage musical, the story finally makes its journey to the big screen, coming to theaters November 27.
Wicked, which tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, and Grammy-winning recording artist Ariana Grande as Glinda.
The story follows Elphaba and Glinda, who meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” their friendship reaches a crossroads, and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, and Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself and to those around her results in unexpected and shocking consequences for her future. Their adventure in Oz ultimately sees them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film also stars Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and the iconic Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.
The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda, played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots), and a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman).
Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) directs the first chapter of the two-part story, with Wicked Part Two scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 26, 2025.
Marc Platt (La La Land, The Little Mermaid) and David Stone (Kimberly Akimbo, Next to Normal) produce, with David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz, and Jared LeBoff as executive producers. Wicked is adapted for the screen by Winnie Holzman and Grammy and Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Universal Stage Productions, Marc Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone produce the Broadway stage musical.
VFX companies contributing to the film include Clear Angle Studios, Framestore, Gentle Giant Studios, ILM, OPIS, and The Third Floor, Inc.
Source: Universal Pictures
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
