Wicked: a Witch’s guide to unlikely friendships – when good girls and bad witches mix (trailer).
In a world where musicals occasionally leap from the stage to the silver screen, one such jump has been brewing longer than a witch’s potion. Enter Wicked, a tale not unfamiliar to those who’ve tread the boards of Broadway or, dare we say, cracked open a novel by Gregory Maguire. Directed by Jon M. Chu, known for turning rich narratives into cinematic gold, this adaptation promises to sprinkle a little magic dust over the holiday season of 2024, or so the calendars are marked.
Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the lady in emerald, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, who’s as bubbly as a cauldron over a fire, the film is a veritable who’s who of talent. Throw in Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and a roster of stars capable of lighting up the darkest of nights, and you’ve got a gathering that could rival any Ozian shindig.
But let’s not get too carried away. The path to the screen has been as winding as the Yellow Brick Road itself, with production dodging flying houses and pandemic monkeys since its announcement in 2012. After a pause for the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, Chu and company have finally wrapped up filming, setting our sights on a November 27, 2024 release. And because all good things come in pairs (or so the citizens of Oz believe), a sequel, Wicked: Part Two, is waiting in the wings for 2025.
The story, for the uninitiated, dives deep into the backstory of Oz’s most misunderstood (and green-skinned) inhabitant, Elphaba, alongside her frenemy, Glinda. Before Dorothy dropped in, these two were hashing out their differences, dealing with wizards, and setting the stage for the Oz we thought we knew.
Produced by Marc Platt, a name synonymous with theatrical and cinematic success, Wicked aims to be more than just a film; it’s an “immersive, cultural celebration.” A lofty goal, indeed, but with Chu at the helm and a cast decked out in talent, it might just fly higher than a broomstick at full throttle. For readers of SFcrowsnest, a magazine where the fantastical is always at home, Wicked offers a blend of nostalgia and novelty. It’s a chance to see beloved characters in a new light, sung by voices that could coax tears from a Tin Man. Yet, amidst the anticipation, there’s a whisper of caution in the wind. After all, in a land where witches roam and wizards rule, not every spell casts as intended.
