A Wicked Phenomenon

Sienna Wiitasalo Arts & Culture

Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, is one of 2024’s most highly anticipated movies. Released on November 22nd, 2024, this marks the first movie adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story gained worldwide fame as a musical, premiering on Broadway in 2003 and becoming one of the most sensational stage productions of all time.

Wicked is set before and during Dorothy’s time in Oz, coinciding with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Told from the perspective of two witches, Galinda and Elphaba, it tells a story of friendship, and the complexities that come with it. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (later Glinda), the Good Witch of the North, were portrayed by Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth respectively during the musical’s first Broadway run. These two legends originated some of musical theatre’s most iconic ballads, including “Defying Gravity.”

After its 2016 announcement by Universal Studios, audiences have been patiently waiting for the Wicked movie adaptation, which was originally set to premier in 2019. Due to delays, mainly from COVID-19, production was pushed back and set to release in 2024.

Wicked: Part One is the first part of two movies. Although viewers will only get to see half of Glinda and Elphaba’s journey this season, the wait for part two is minimal—Wicked: Part Two has already been filmed and scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.

Casting directors for Wicked 2024 did not disappoint when casting Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, two vocal powerhouses whose talents are demonstrated in their live performances throughout the film. Erivo has performed on Broadway in The Colour Purple and is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award winning actress. Grande is a two-time Grammy Award winning singer who has also acted in numerous TV shows and movies.

Their chemistry on screen has been widely praised, with Erivo reflecting in Vanity Fair: “We needed real connection, which bloomed just as Grande needed it most.” The movie’s promotions have been just as incredible, with Grande and Erivo making appearances together at the Olympics, the Met Gala, and on a global press tour. Brand collaborations with Gap, Samsung, Claire’s, H&M, IT Cosmetics, and Squishmallows have driven comparisons to Barbie’s massive 2023 campaign.

In many interviews, Grande has talked about her dream of playing Glinda since she was a little girl. She formed a connection with Kristin Chenoweth as a child and promised to “take care of [Glinda]” upon accepting the role. Meanwhile, Erivo describes playing Elphaba as “a dream come true,” bringing her extensive musical experience to her character. Viewers are bound to see passion in their roles. After all, Wicked is one of the most famous musicals globally. As Dorothy once said, “somewhere over the rainbow... dream[s] really do come true.”