Wicked (2024 film)

Wicked(titled onscreen asWicked: Part I) is a 2024 Americanmusicalfantasy filmdirected byJon M. Chuand written byWinnie HolzmanandDana Fox. It is the first installment of a two-part film adaptation of the stage musicalof the same namebyStephen Schwartzand Holzman, which was loosely based onGregory Maguire's1995 novel, a reimagining oftheOzbooksand the 1939 filmThe Wizard of Oz.
The film covers the musical's first act. It starsCynthia ErivoasElphaba ThroppandAriana GrandeasGalinda Upland, withJonathan Bailey,Ethan Slater,Bowen Yang,Marissa Bode,Peter Dinklage,Michelle Yeoh, andJeff Goldblumin supporting roles. Set in theLand of Oz, beforeDorothy Gale's arrival from Kansas, its plot follows Elphaba, the futureWicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with her classmate Galinda, who becomesGlinda the Good.
Universal PicturesandMarc Platt, who both produced the stage musical, announced the adaptation in 2012. After a long development and multiple delays, partlydue to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chu was hired to direct, with Erivo and Grande cast in 2021. The adaptation was split into two parts to avoid cutting plot points and expand the characters' journeys and relationships.Principal photographybegan in England in December 2022, was interrupted in July 2023 by the2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, eventually resuming and concluding in January 2024.
Wickedpremiered at theState Theatrein Sydney, Australia on November 3, 2024, and was theatrically released in the United States on November 22. It received positive reviews, and was named one of the best films of 2024 by theAmerican Film Institute, and wonBest Filmat theNational Board of Review. Itsother accoladesinclude ten nominations at the97th Academy Awards(includingBest Picture,Best Actressfor Erivo, andBest Supporting Actressfor Grande), seven at the78th British Academy Film Awards, and a record-tying five at the31st Screen Actors Guild Awards. It also wonCinematic and Box Office Achievementat the82nd Golden Globe Awards. It has grossed$726.4 millionworldwide on a$150 millionbudget, becoming the highest-grossingOzfilm, the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of all time, the twentieth highest-grossing film released by Universal, and thefifth-highest-grossing film of 2024. The sequel,Wicked: For Good, is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
In theLand of Oz,Glinda the Goodjoins the citizens ofMunchkinlandas they celebrate the death of theWicked Witch of the West. A child asks Glinda why wickedness happens, and she reflects on the question by discussing the Witch's backstory: born from an affair between the wife of then-Governor Thropp and a traveling salesman, she was ostracized from birth due to her unnaturally green skin and uncontrollable magical abilities ("No One Mourns the Wicked"). When asked if she and the Witch were friends, Glinda reveals that they knew each other and explains their past.
Years earlier,Elphaba Thropparrives at Shiz University to see off herwheelchair-boundyounger sister, Nessarose ("Dear Old Shiz"). Following an unintentional release of her powers, Madame Morrible, Shiz's Dean of Sorcery Studies, offers to enroll Elphaba and privately tutor her in sorcery. Elphaba accepts in the hopes that it will allow her to meet Oz's ruler, theWizard, and be "de-greenified" ("The Wizard and I"). To her discontent, she is forced to room with bubbly Galinda Upland; the two clash constantly ("What Is This Feeling?").
One night, Elphaba follows Dr. Dillamond, a talking Goat who faces discrimination as one of Shiz's last Animal professors, to a meeting of Animals off-campus. Dillamond reveals other Animals are losing their civil rights and ability to speak, but Elphaba assures him the Wizard will set things right ("Something Bad").
Rebellious transfer studentFiyero Tigelaararranges to take a group of students to the Ozdust Ballroom ("Dancing Through Life"). Galinda convincesBoq Woodsman, a happy-go-luckyMunchkinwith a crush on her, to invite Nessarose so she can accompany Fiyero. At the Ozdust, Galinda learns from a begrudging Morrible that she will be allowed to join the sorcery seminar at Elphaba's request. Elphaba arrives and is ridiculed for wearing a pointed hat that Galinda gave her as a joke. A remorseful Galinda dances with her ("Ozdust Duet"), and the two later bond ("Popular").
Dillamond announces that Animals are no longer allowed to teach at Shiz and is forcefully removed from his classroom. His replacement, the unscrupulous Professor Nikidik, demonstrates a new contraption—a cage—witha frightened lion cubenclosed within, designed to prevent animals from learning to speak. A frustrated Elphaba releases her magic and spins poppy dust over the room, putting everyone except herself and Fiyero to sleep. They escape campus and release the cub into the forest. After sharing a moment, Elphaba laments that Fiyero prefers Galinda over her ("I'm Not That Girl").
Elphaba receives an invitation to meet the Wizard, who has heard of her powers from Morrible. Galinda, now shortening her name to "Glinda" in solidarity with Dillamond, accompanies her. They ride a train to Oz's capital, theEmerald City, where they affirm their friendship while sightseeing ("One Short Day"). After being introduced to the Wizard ("A Sentimental Man"), Elphaba says she wishes to help the Animals instead of changing her skin color. Morrible arrives to witness Elphaba and the Wizard's first meeting, and the two encourage Elphaba to cast a spell from the sacredGrimmeriespellbook. She casts a levitation spell that makes the Wizard's monkey guards painfully sprout wings, allowing the delighted Wizard and Morrible to use them as spies. Elphaba realizes that they are the ones behind the persecution of the Animals and that the Wizard is a fraud with no magical power. Horrified, Elphaba steals the Grimmerie and flees.
Glinda follows Elphaba and implores her to reconcile with Morrible and the Wizard, but Elphaba decides to stop their plans. She bids an emotional farewell to Glinda, who supports her but is apprehended by guards. Elphaba repeats the levitation spell on a broom and escapes the Emerald City. As Morrible warns Oz that Elphaba is a "wicked witch", Fiyero leaves Shiz on horseback amidst a mass evacuation, and Governor Thropp suffers a heart attack after he and Nessarose receive the news. Elphaba flies west, leaving Glinda behind ("Defying Gravity").
Additionally, theCowardly Lionmakes an appearance as a cub.Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl who is transported to theLand of Ozby a tornado with her dogToto, is featured alongside theScarecrow,Tin Manand an adult version of the Cowardly Lion in a brief cameo early in the film.Robin Guiver performs the role of Chistery, the leader of the Wizard's monkey army and Elphaba's favoritewinged monkey.Stephen Stantonvoices Fiyero's Horse.
Multiple cameos take place during the "One Short Day" sequence.Idina MenzelandKristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the stage musical, portray the leading members of the Emerald City Players. Former Fiyero replacement Michael McCorry Rose appears as theWiz-O-ManiaNarrator.Book writer and screenwriterWinnie Holzmanexclaims, "He can read it [theGrimmerie]! He must be a Wizard!" in a cameo duringWiz-O-Mania, and composerStephen Schwartzcameos as the Emerald City Guard, who announces to Elphaba and Galinda that "the wizard will see you now".Adam JamesandAlice Fearnappear briefly as Galinda's parents, nicknamed "Popsicle" and "Momsie" by Galinda.Shaun Prendergastappears as Shiz President and Cherida Strallen as the Shiz Librarian.VariousWest Endactors make cameos, includingKerry Ellis,Luke Bayer,Georgina Onuorah, andDianne Pilkington.
In the 1990s, Moore's Moving Pictures acquired the rights to theWickednovel and began writing a screenplay withMichelle Pfeiffer,Emma Thompson,Nicole Kidman, andDemi Moorebeing considered for the roles of Glinda and Elphaba, withRobert Zemeckisconsidered for director.In 2003, theGregory MaguirenovelWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, arevisionistexploration of the characters and setting ofL. Frank Baum's 1900 novelThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was adapted as the Broadway musicalWicked. The musical was produced byUniversal Pictures' stage division and directed byJoe Mantello, with musical staging byWayne Cilento. The Broadway production has inspired long-run productions in Chicago, London, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, as well as Germany, Australia and Japan. It was nominated for tenTony Awards, winning three, and is the 4th longest-running Broadway show in history, with over 7,500 performances, running for over 20 years. The original Broadway production starredIdina Menzelas Elphaba andKristin Chenowethas Glinda.
In a 2009 interview, Maguire stated that he had sold the rights toABCto make an independent non-musical TV adaptation ofWicked. It would not be based on Holzman's script.On January 9, 2011, it was reported byEntertainment Weeklythat ABC would be teaming up withSalma Hayekand her production company to create a TV miniseries ofWickedbased solely on Maguire's novel. No further information, such as casting, had been revealed yet.
Chenoweth, Menzel,Lea Michele, who portrayedDorothy GaleinLegends of Oz: Dorothy's Return, andAmy Adamswere all rumored to be potential leads, Holzman and Schwartz were rumored as potential writers, andJ. J. Abrams,Rob Marshall,James Mangold, andRyan Murphywere all mentioned as possible candidates for director.In December 2012, following the success ofLes Misérables,Marc Platt, also a producer of the stage version, announced the film was going ahead,later confirming the film was aiming for a 2016 release.After a long development, Universal announced in 2016 that the film would be released in theatres on December 20, 2019, withStephen Daldrydirecting.Daldry was reported consideringLady GagaandShawn Mendesfor the roles of Elphaba and Fiyero.By 2024, Holzman was credited as the sole writer.In August 2024, it was determined by theWriters Guild of AmericathatDana Foxcollaborated with Holzman on the screenplay and thatCraig Mazincontributed additional literary material.
In May 2017, Schwartz said that the film would feature "at least two" new songs.On August 31, 2018, Universal put the film on hold, due to production scheduling, and gavethe film adaptationofCatsthe release date formerly held by the film.On February 8, 2019, Universal announced a new release date of December 22, 2021, for theWickedfilm.On April 1, 2020, Universal put the film on hold once again due to Universal shifting release dates amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic, and gaveSing 2the 2021 release date.On October 20, 2020, it was announced that Daldry had left the production due to scheduling conflicts.On February 2, 2021, it was announced thatJon M. Chuwould take over as director. Serving as executive producers would be Schwartz, Holzman, Fox, David Nicksay and Jared LeBoff.In August,Alice Brookswas confirmed as the cinematographer, after working with Chu on thefilm versionofIn the Heights.
Casting sessions for the film's roles were held by casting directorsBernard Telseyand Tiffany Little Canfield inLondon,EnglandandNew York City,New York. They opted to fill their ensemble with dancers of different shapes, sizes and ethnicities to play Shiz University's student body and were able to get access to West End musicals actors, likeAdam JamesandAlice Fearn, who had previously appeared in the 2019 revival ofFiddler on the Roofand as Glinda's mother on the originalWickedstage show from 2017 to 2019 respectively, as Galinda's parents "Popsicle" and "Momsie".In November,Ariana GrandeandCynthia Erivowere cast asGlindaandElphaba.Grande had previously recorded "Popular Song" (a remix of "Popular" from the musical) in 2012,and had performed "The Wizard and I", a song from the musical, in theNBCspecialWicked 15th Anniversary. Erivo previously had performed "I Couldn't Be Happier", an excerpt from the song "Thank Goodness", in thePBSspecialWicked in Concert.It was reported that Grande auditioned five times for the role of Glinda.Dove Cameron,Taylor Louderman,Renee RappandAmanda Seyfriedwere also reported to have auditioned for Glinda.In June 2022, Chu confirmed the hiring ofNathan Crowleyas production designer.On September 21, 2022, it was reported thatJonathan Baileyhad joined the cast asFiyero, beating, among others, actorsRyan McCartan(who played the role in 2018–2019 on Broadway),Cooper Koch,Nick JonasandJoe Jonasfor the part.Telsey had Bailey in mind for Fiyero since seeing him starring inMarianne Elliott's 2019 revival of the gender-swappedWest End theatreproductionCompany, but Bailey was unavailable back then, forcing Telsey to held auditions for months with no success, so when theCOVID-19 pandemicpushed back all of Bailey's upcoming projects including some shows, Bailey was finally cast as Fiyero, being one of the last actors to be cast.In October 2022, it was announced thatJeff Goldblumwas in final talks to star asthe Wizard.Goldblum completed talks by December,whenEthan Slater,Michelle Yeoh,Marissa Bode,Bowen Yang,Bronwyn James,Keala Settle, Aaron Teoh and Colin Michael Carmichael were added to the cast.Nessarose Thropp's casting was challenging due to Telsey and Canfield due to them not knowing young actors and singers who were wheelchair users in addition to not casting the character until Erivo was cast as Elphaba, after which Bode was brought on to play Nessarose.In April 2024, it was revealed atCinemaConthatPeter Dinklagehad been cast as the voice of Dr. Dillamond.
On preparing for the role of Elphaba, Erivo toldVariety, 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, and confirmed the hiring ofPaul Tazewellas costume designer. Her request to him for Elphaba's costume when she becomes the Wicked Witch of the West involved "aJean Paul Gaultiercollection with a 'new world, kind ofgilded age' feeling".Erivo also contributed to several other parts of Elphaba's appearance, notably her hair and nails: "I knew I wanted [Elphaba] to have micro braids and I wanted her to have a full set [of nails] for two reasons: [they are] a nod to my culture and a nod to the world of Oz." She also stated: "I imagined that her nails were a part of her magic—that they just grew out of her and she hadn't yet discovered why, like her green skin."
The script includes made-up words such as "clandestinedly", "hideoteous" and "confusifying".
Principal photographywas set to commence in June 2022 at theSky Studios Elstreefacilities in the United Kingdom.In July 2021, Schwartz indicated there were plans to film in Atlanta that year.On April 26, 2022, Chu announced the adaptation would be filmed in two parts,WickedandWicked Part Two(later renamedWicked: For Good), saying:
In June 2022, Schwartz confirmed that a new song would be written for one of the two films:
On July 18, it was revealed that with the filming process settled at the newly built Sky Studios Elstree inBorehamwood, England, rehearsals would begin in August withprincipal photographybeginning in November.On December 9, Chu confirmed on Twitter that filming had begun.
On September 23, 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 TurfinIvinghoe, Buckinghamshire, UK. Early into filming,paparazzifromThe Daily Mailwere seen flying over the Munchkinland set byhang gliderwithGoProcameras attached to their feet as Ariana Grande and the cast and crew filmed "No One Mourns the Wicked", the opening number of the first film. The first pictures of Grande in costume as Glinda were leaked online and sparked anticipation. Grande said in an interview forVMan: "I think we were very spoiled to have done this with [Chu]. It felt like a teeny, little secret student thing –  it's intimacy ... It felt so small and private until all of a sudden, we were outside, and theDaily Mailwas hand gliding [sic] over our set".
Shooting was planned to take place between April 6 and July 14, 2023, with principal photography set towrapwith the "One Short Day" sequence on July 25.Filmingwas suspendedfrom July 13 to November 8 due to the2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.Filming resumed on January 24, 2024, and concluded on January 26. The song vocals were recorded live on set at the insistence of Erivo and Grande.Academy Award-winning production sound mixerSimon Hayescollaborated with Chu on the recordings of the actors' vocals, using a variation of the same recording techniques that were implemented onLes Misérables.Chu also citedSteven Spielberg's 1991 filmHookas inspiration for the large-scale sets and practical effects, including nine million colorfultulipsplanted on location to surround theMunchkinlandset, a pavedyellow brick roadwith real mud and a life-sizeart deco-inspired train to transport Elphaba and Glinda to theEmerald City, which he called the "Unlimited One".Chu also cited the 1998 filmsPleasantvilleandThe Truman Showas influences on how bothWickedandWicked: For Goodthematically portray the Land of Oz, saying, "It helps create this idea of the rebelliousness that this new younger generation are discovering ... How far will that take everybody in Oz throughout the course of the whole story of both movies? It's an awakening of a generation. You start to see the truth about things that maybe you were taught differently."The interior of the wizard's castle was inspired byHans Poelzig'sGroßes Schauspielhaus.
Although the film was described by media sources as a prequel to the 1939Metro-Goldwyn-MayerfilmThe Wizard of Oz, it was not allowed legally to be considered as such. The film lists as its source material the musical and the book it was adapted from, which in turn were based onL. Frank Baum's 1900 novelThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which is in thepublic domain; the 1939 film is under copyright protection and was not licensed source material.The filmmakers had to toe a fine line between calling the film to mind but notinfringingupon it. To that end, Universal had a copyright expert on set to ensure no infringement occurred.The production team worked under the constraint of abiding by the stipulations set forth byWarner Bros., the legal owner of the rights to iconic elements of the 1939 film, including theruby slippersworn byJudy Garland. Therefore, Universal was unable to use them nor any original character likenesses from the 1939 film. This extended to the green of the Wicked Witch's skin for which Cynthia Erivo and SFX makeup artist David Stoneman used what they considered a sufficiently different shade dubbed "Cynthia Green" (named after Erivo).The studio was unable to useMargaret Hamilton's signaturechin moleof theWicked Witch of the Westnor could they employ theyellow brick road's swirl design forMunchkinland.The expert also ensured that the Emerald City was not too close in appearance to the original Emerald City in the 1939 film.
On February 6, 2024, it was confirmed thatIndustrial Light & MagicandFramestoreprovided the film'svisual effectswithPablo Helmanserving as production visual effects supervisor, and that post-production work was in progress, with Chu working remotely with editorMyron Kersteinvia communication through the newly releasedApple Vision Pro.Throughout editing, Kerstein felt emotionally connected to the film and its story, particularly during post-production work on the Ozdust Ballroom and "Defying Gravity" sequences, while reflecting on the former scene: "We always felt like the Ozdust Ballroom was basically the set piece we had to get right, because if that didn't work, the rest of the movie was going to fall apart." The sequence involved watching the entireties of every ten-minute-long take of Elphaba and Glinda's dance duet and picking the right portions that provoked the most emotional response.Editing on the entire film was done throughAvid Media Composer.Post-production on the first film was completed on September 19, 2024.
The soundtrack album forWickedwas released byRepublic Records/Verve Label Group, Grande and Erivo's record labels, on November 22, 2024.In July 2024, it was announced thatJohn Powellhad composed the incidental underscore for the film and is set to do the same forWicked: For Good.Jeff Atmajianupdated the lateWilliam David Brohn's original orchestrations for the songs and enlarged the orchestra from the stage version's original 23 musicians to 125 for the film.The recording sessions for the music took place atAIR Studiosin London,with the musical's original music directorStephen Oremusconducting the song cues and Powell conducting the incidental score cues alongsideGavin Greenaway, all with theLondon Symphony Orchestra.Greg Wells, Oremus and Schwartz served as music producers.The score album was released on December 6, 2024.
Some songs fromWicked: For Goodappear throughout the score, most prominently "For Good" whenever Elphaba and Galinda's friendship is seen or mentioned, "Thank Goodness" when Galinda changes her name, and "Wonderful" when Elphaba receives her invitation from the Wizard.
A few days later, the production company released the "Sing-Along" playlist on the main digital platforms, while also scheduling this type of screening in cinemas around the world. In this format, viewers are encouraged to sing along live, with lyrics added to the film as if it were a karaoke session.
Changes for the film include adding new characters: Dulcibear, Elphaba's childhood nanny; Miss Coddle, a headmistress at Shiz University; and Galinda's parents, who drop her off at Shiz. In the musical, Madame Morrible is the university's headmistress, but in the film, she is repositioned as its Dean of Sorcery so that the university can have its own President, with Miss Coddle assuming the headmistress role on screen.The film shows Elphaba's private tutoring sessions with Madame Morrible in learning how to control her powers, flashback scenes depicting Elphaba as a child being ridiculed by the children of Munchkinland for her green skin and more moments to show the dynamic between her and Nessarose as sisters. The sexual content of the novel and the musical, particularly the affair between Mrs. Thropp, Elphaba's mother, and the traveling salesman was toned down for both films to reach a wider audience and attain a PG rating from theMotion Picture Association(MPA).
Contrary to the book and the traditional casting of Pfannee as a woman in the musical, the character wasgender-swappedto a male actor, Bowen Yang. The character arc of Boq was expanded upon for the film, and he was given the surname Woodsman."Something Bad" is changed to a private meeting of the talking Animals at Dr. Dillamond's home off Shiz campus. There, the Animals sing to each other about the state of Oz rather the conversation being only between Elphaba and Dr. Dillamond, as in the stage show. In the show, Elphaba is already enrolled to Shiz alongside Nessarose, but in the film, she is only there on the first day to accompany and watch over Nessarose at the request of their father, with Morrible enrolling Elphaba by chance.
In the film, Fiyero and Elphaba's first meeting happens in the forest rather than with a group of classmates at Shiz.Fiyero's musical number, "Dancing Through Life", takes place on open grounds on stage. In the film, it starts inside the university's circular, rotating library, complete with an added extended dance break. The Ozdust Ballroom portion of the number was both altered and expanded upon, reimagining the ballroom as what Chu called a nightclub in "the underbelly of Oz", complete with a musical band with Animals playing instruments.The musical number "Popular" is also extended with additional key changes and vocal extensions.
The song "One Short Day" is significantly expanded in the movie to include the Emerald City Players' production of "Wiz-O-Mania", which lays out more of the backstory for the Wizard and the Grimmerie. The leading players areIdina MenzelandKristin Chenoweth, who starred in the original Broadway production of the stage musical as Elphaba and Glinda.
The climactic shot of the "Defying Gravity" sequence, where Elphaba sings her signature "battle cry" while in the sky at sunset, with green lightning striking through the clouds and her billowing cape growing larger, pays homage to the "cherry pickereffect" used to lift the actress playing Elphaba off the stage during the climax of the song.The sequence itself is also extended to make it work as the finale of the first film, leaving the audience on acliffhangerwith a "To be continued..." title card, setting upWicked: For Good.
On April 16, 2023, first-look pictures of the film were released through social media, featuring Erivo's Elphaba and Grande's Glinda.Work-in-processfootage, featuring first listens to Grande and Erivo's renditions of "Popular" and "Defying Gravity", was presented atCinemaConon April 26, 2023, introduced on stage by Universal Pictures chairwomanDonna Langley.The first trailer for the film, in the form of a 60 second "First Look", premiered duringSuper Bowl LVIIIon February 11, 2024.The film returned to CinemaCon on April 10, 2024, to present new footage and marked the first time the cast and crew appeared together in public to promote the film. Costumes and props were also on display in the lobby of the venue during this event.
A featurette featuring behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with Chu, Erivo, and Grande on how muchWickedandWicked: For Goodmean to them as a cinematic passion project, debuted at the 2024NBCUniversalUpfront event atRadio City Music Hallon May 13, 2024, and was released online shortly after. The official 3-minute theatrical trailer for the film was released on May 15, 2024, followed by a version produced and animated entirely in theLego brickfilmstyle on May 29, 2024. The Lego version was later attached to the theatrical screenings of the animatedPharrell WilliamsfilmPiece by Piece.A behind-the-scenes television special,Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked, aired onNBCon November 19, 2024, to promote the film.The network also hosted a promotional tie-in for the film during its coverage of the2024 Summer Olympicsin Paris throughout the summer, with Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Michelle Yeoh attending theopening ceremony, aviral videoof the Emerald City's "Unlimited One" train cruising down tracks in front of theEiffel Towerand extensive advertising during primetime coverage of theWomen's Gymnastics event, with John M. Chu and the cast in attendance at the Qualifying round.On September 4, 2024, character posters were revealed ahead of the release of a new trailer the next day, which remixed "Defying Gravity" withHerbert Stothart's iconic"Wicked Witch/Miss Gulch" motiffromMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer's now-Warner Bros.-owned 1939 film version ofThe Wizard of Oz.After debuting in the Behind-the-Scenes TV special, the film's YouTube channel released the entire "What Is This Feeling?" sequence online on November 22, 2024 to coincide with the film's release. It would end up going viral with over ten million views.
A wide range of merchandising for the film across toys, apparel, books, beauty products, and accessories was released by Universal Products & Experiences ahead of the film's release. On the announcement, Vince Klaseu, president of Universal Products & Experiences, remarked: "It has been so fun to develop and expand the beloved story ofWickedand bring these incredible characters and worlds to life through magical products and immersive retail experiences; our global merchandise program across retail and theme parks reflects the film's empowering themes and bold iconography, paving the way for even more excitement in 2025 withWicked: For Good...Wickedis very special to us, and we can't wait for fans to embrace these inspiring characters this holiday season."Universal had 450 promotional partners for the film, with a media value of$350 million, the most ever for a Hollywood theatrical film.On October 1, Grande's cosmetics brandR.E.M. Beautyreleased a collaboration inspired by the film.A 96-pageWicked-focused special-edition issue ofPeoplemagazine, featuring exclusive cast interviews and pictures from production, was published on November 1.
On May 15, 2024, the film launched an interactive website for Shiz University, allowing fans to apply for a 2024 semester at the college before August 15. In September 2024,influencerson various social media platforms started sharing their "acceptance letters and packages" from Shiz, containing a personalized acceptance letter from Madame Morrible herself, a map of the campus, a newspaper (reporting "Prince Fiyero spotted at Shiz"), a pin and a university jumper. Other fans who applied received their acceptance letters via email, with those applying late for the college being denied admission.
On October 10, 2024, it was announced that the film would launch the "Journey Through Oz" Press Tour during the weeks leading up to the film's release with each city being transformed into some of the film's various locations: Sydney (Munchkinland), Los Angeles (Shiz University), Mexico City (Enchanted Forest), New York (Ozdust Ballroom), and London (Emerald City).
On December 26, 2024, it was announced that the film would take part in the 2025Rose Paradeon January 1, 2025 inPasadena, Californiawith a 55-foot-long "Defying Gravity" float covered with 60,000 tulips imported fromHollandalong with colorfulcarnationsto celebrate the film'sNew Year's Everelease on VOD.
On October 9, 2024, to coincide with tickets going on sale, a poster was released with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, recreating the original poster art of the stage musical.Reception towards the poster was mixed, and it resulted in the creation of "fan edits" designed to bring the poster closer to the original art, usingAdobe Photoshopandgenerative AItools.The poster was also mocked with a video made withRunway AIto make it look like Elphaba and Glinda in the image werecatfighting.It also became the subject of viralinternet memes, including a parody replacing Elphaba withCharli XCXin a promotional image for her and Grande's remix of "Sympathy Is a Knife"
On October 15, 2024, a Twitter user created their own edit, attempting to more accurately match the movie poster to the original theatrical poster, making edits by obscuring Elphaba's eyes, raising Glinda's hand to cover her mouth, and giving Elphaba smirking red lips. Although many fans considered it an improvement,the following day Erivo shared a repost of the edited poster on her Instagram story, writing:
The user later deleted the post out of respect for the actress, saying their intentions were not malicious and they had not anticipated the reaction. However, on October 20, the user reposted their edit, saying while they felt Erivo's feelings were valid, they stood by the image as "an innocent fan edit to pay homage to the original Broadway poster".On October 19, during the 4th Academy Museum Gala red carpet arrivals, Grande responded to the controversy, saying, "I think it's very complicated because I find AI so conflicting and troublesome sometimes, but I think it's just kind of such a massive adjustment period ... This is something that is so much bigger than us, and the fans are gonna have fun and make their edits ... And I have so much respect for my sister, Cynthia, and I love her so much."On October 29, Erivo was asked byEntertainment Tonightabout the nature of her comments, and said "it wasn't necessarily a clapback ... Because I think I'm really protective of the role ... I am passionate about it, and I know that the fans are passionate about it, and I think, for me, it was just like a human moment of wanting to protect little Elphaba. It was a human moment. I probably should've called my friends, but it's fine."
Mattelhas produced a series of dolls for the film portraying main characters Glinda, Elphaba, Fiyero, Madame Morrible, as well as Nessarose in a wheelchair. In August 2024, two song snippets from the film ("Popular" and "Defying Gravity") were leaked through asound chipin their line of singing dolls.
In November 2024, the doll boxand the manualfor many dolls in theWickedline were found to contain links to the website of the adult film studioWicked Pictures(www.wicked.com) instead of the movie's own website (www.wickedmovie.com).Mattel apologized for the error, and asked parents who had bought products with the incorrect website to destroy the packaging.In December 2024, Mattel was sued by a mother in North Carolina, citing the emotional distress that she and her daughter had suffered due to the error.
Originally announced as one film,Wickedwas split into two films in April 2022.The first half premiered in Sydney, Australia at theState Theatreon November 3, 2024,with premieres that followed in Los Angeles at theDorothy Chandler Pavilionon November 9, 2024,inMexico Cityat theAuditorio Nacionalon November 11, 2024,and in London at theRoyal Festival Hallon November 18, 2024.It was theatrically released byUniversal Pictureson November 21 in Australiaand Mexico,and on November 22 in the United States, with engagements inRealD 3D,IMAX,Dolby Cinema,4DX,ScreenXandD-Box. This was followed by its Polish premiere as the closing night film of the32nd International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Camerimageon November 23, 2024, with cinematographerAlice Brooksand production designerNathan Crowley(who received the 2024 Production Designer Award at the festival) in attendance.Advance screenings of the film took place on November 18, 2024, forAmazon Primemembers, and for the general public on November 20, 2024. These two screenings marked the only times during the film's theatrical release that most theaters across the United States were simultaneously able to show the film in IMAX, due toGladiator IItaking over most of those screens on opening weekend.A sing-along version of the film was released theatrically on December 25, 2024.
The film was previously scheduled to be released on December 20, 2019, December 22, 2021, December 25, 2024, and November 27, 2024,with the latter release date to avoid competition withAvatar: Fire and AshandSonic the Hedgehog 3(the former of which was later delayed to 2025 afterThunderbolts*, and laterMufasa: The Lion Kingtook its date),before moving forward by five days to its current date to avoid competition withMoana 2, with the new date putting it againstGladiator II.This sparked speculation on whether the film andGladiator IIsharing a release date could result in a scenario later termed "Glicked", similar to theBarbenheimerphenomenon which was a result ofBarbieandOppenheimerboth being released on July 21, 2023.With the film being released two weeks after the2024 United States presidential election, Marc Platt reflected on the story's increasing relevance in the currentpolitical climate, saying, "It's a significant election for both of us, but our story aspires to be about the distance people travel to connect with each other, about seeing the other as not the other, about living in a world where sometimes the truth is not real."
The film was screened exclusively for influencers, awards season pundits and entertainment industry personnel on theUniversal Studios Loton October 16, 2024.A private screening of the film was held at the home ofKim Kardashianon October 22, 2024, exclusively attended byher familyalongside Erivo and Grande.Another private screening took place at theDGA TheaterinManhattanon October 28, 2024, attended by Erivo, Grande, Chu, Platt, Schwartz, original Broadway cast members Kristin Chenoweth,Norbert Leo ButzandChristopher Fitzgerald, members of the current Broadway cast, and other actresses who had played Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway and national tour over the years. The screening was preceded by a video greeting from Idina Menzel, who could not attend due to rehearsals being underway for the new musicalRedwood.A screening hosted byAnna Wintourwas held at theMetropolitan Museum of Arton November 14, 2024, attended by the cast members of the film and other celebrities.Screenings for the general public took place at the State Theatre in Sydney from November 20 through November 22.
Prior to its theatrical release inKuwait, the film was pulled from some theatres due to "public ethics".However, the film continues to be screened in various cinemas in the country.Following its release in the United States, right-wing conservative Christian groupOne Million Momscalled for a boycott on the film, claiming that it "promotes witchcraft and pushes the LGBTQ agenda on families, particularly children." Kristin Chenoweth defended the film in a comment on Instagram, saying "Everyone knows the 'one million Moms' are a mere few hundred. Maybe. It's called entertainment. Artistry. I am a Christian woman or originated the role of Glinda and all the silliness that these women spew out of hate. No no no. I can't help it: I try to love 'em anyways. For they don't get it. For anyone who wants to see girl power, then go soWICKED. Onstage or in a movie theater."
The film was releaseddubbedin a number of countries following the local productions of the original musical staged along the years.In some dubbed versions of the film, the lead characters were voiced by performers who had previously portrayed them on stage in local productions.Danna Paolaand Ceci de la Cueva inLatin American Spanish,Myra Ruiz and Fabi Bang inBrazilian Portuguese,and Park Hye-na andJeong SunahinKoreanall performed as Elphaba and Glinda in the original local productions of the musical. Sabrina Weckerlin, who voiced Elphaba in German,first played Elphaba in 2007 as an alternate in the original German production,while Johanne Milland, who voiced Glinda inDanish,played Glinda in the 2024 Danish production of the musical.Dutch actor Vajèn van den Bosch, who played Elphaba in the German production in 2021,instead returned as Glinda in Dutch.
Additionally, a few more actors from local original productions made a cameo appearance as dubbers of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. That was the case ofWillemijn Verkaik, who first played Elphaba in 2007 in the original German production of the musical,and then again in several other international productions, including the original Dutch production in 2011,West End,and Broadway.Verkaik dubbed Menzel in the Dutch and German dubbingstogether with Glinda's original Dutch and German performers as Chenoweth's dubbers:Chantal JanzenandLucy Scherer.Maria Lucia Rosenberg, who played Elphaba in the original Danish production in 2011,also came back to dub Menzel inDanish.In a few more dubbings, more cameo appearances were made with Menzel's character, as she was voiced not only by actors who had previously portrayed Elphaba in local productions, but especially in countries where the musical was never played, also by voice-actors who had previously voiced in different languages another major character in Menzel's career:Elsa, fromDisney'sFrozen. That's the case of Elke Buyle inFlemish,Nikolett Füredi inHungarian,Taryn Szpilman in Brazilian Portuguese,andAnnika HerlitzinSwedish.
Opposite to other localizations, which were based on previously existing theatrical versions of the show, two days ahead of the film's release, a first-time Norwegian production of the musical was announced to be in the making, and scheduled to premiere in 2025.
The film was released onvideo on demandon December 31, 2024 in the United States.It was released on4K Blu-ray,Blu-Ray, andDVDon February 4, 2025 byUniversal Pictures Home Entertainment. Both the digital and physical releases contain the theatrical and sing-along versions of the film along with bonus features such as extended and deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Tickets forWickedwent on sale on October 9, 2024, the day afterParamount Picturesreleased their tickets forGladiator II. On October 10,Fandangoreported that the film became the site's number 2 first-day ticket pre-seller of 2024, behindMarvel Studios'Deadpool & Wolverine, as well as the best PG-rated first-day ticket pre-seller of the year and the number 3 best PG-rated first-day ticket pre-seller of all time, behindFrozen 2and the 2019 remake ofThe Lion King(both fromDisney).According toDeadline Hollywood, Quorum projectedWickedto gross$67–74 millionin its domestic opening weekend, whileBox Office Theoryprojected it would gross$96–150 millionandBoxoffice Proprojected it would be$100–125 million, topping the box office ahead ofGladiator II. Initial skepticism was directed towards the notion that musical films post-pandemic would not be profitable.By the week of its release, projections were raised to a$165–200 millionworldwide opening (and$125–150 milliondomestically), with positive word-of-mouth and the film's awards season buzz cited as the reasons.
As of February 12, 2025,Wickedhas grossed$472.1 millionin the United States and Canada, and$254.3 millionin other territories, for a worldwide total of$726.4 million.
In the US and Canada, it made$46.47 millionon its first day, which included$19.2 millionfrom preview screenings in the week leading up to its release:$2.5 millionon Monday,$5.7 millionon Wednesday, and$11 millionon Thursday. It debuted with$112.5 millionin the US and Canada and$162.9 millionworldwide, topping both box offices.It was the largest opening ever for a film based on a Broadway musical, surpassing the$31.1 milliondomestic opening ofInto the Woods(2014) and the$103 millionworldwide opening ofLes Misérables(2012).The following Thursday, it made$16.9 million, the second-bestThanksgiving Daytotal ever behindMoana 2($28 million), released the day prior. It grossed$32 milliononBlack Friday.
Wickedgrossed$80 millionin its second weekend (and a total of$117.5 millionover the five-day frame), dropping by 29% and finishing behindMoana 2.At the end of the holiday weekend, it reached over$250 milliondomestically, making it thehighest-grossing stage musical-to-screen adaptation of all timein the US and Canada, beating the$190 millionlifetime domestic gross ofGrease(1978).In its third weekend, it made $34.9 million, remaining in second, for a running total of $455 million worldwide.By December 15, 2024, it had grossed $525 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film based on Baum'sOzworks, surpassing the $493 million worldwide gross of Disney'sOz the Great and Powerful(2013). By Christmas Day, the film grossed $392.4 million domestically, becoming the49th highest-grossing film of all time in the United States and Canada.By December 29, 2024,WickedsurpassedMamma Mia!(2008), breaking theGuinness World Recordto become the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of all time.By January 2025, it surpassedDune: Part Twoto become the fifth highest-grossing film of 2024 and surpassedE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial(1982) andFast X(2023), respectively, to become Universal's third highest-grossing film of all time in North America and the studio's twentieth highest-grossing film of all time worldwide.
In the first week of its release onvideo-on-demand(VOD) services,Wickedtopped the charts on every platform, includingiTunes Movies,Google Play,Fandango at HomeandAmazon Prime Video. Universal reported thatWickedearned more than $70 million in premium VOD sales in the United States and Canada during its first week, including more than $26 million on New Year's Eve. It surpassedThe Super Mario Bros. Movie(2023) to become the biggest first-week performance for a Universal theatrical film on VOD.
On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes, 88% of 382 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Defying gravity with its magical pairing of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande,Wicked's sheer bravura and charm make for an irresistible invitation to Oz."Metacritic, which uses aweighted average, assigned the film a score of 73 out of 100, based on 63 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed byPostTrakgave it a 92% overall positive score, with 80% saying they would "definitely recommend" it.
Kyle SmithofThe Wall Street JournalcalledWicked"the most entertaining film of the year and the most dazzling live-action Hollywood musical sinceChicago".Jazz Tangcay ofVarietycalled it "a musical masterpiece that is much more than we could have ever expected" and praised Chu's direction, the performances and the sets and costumes.Antonia Blyth ofDeadline Hollywoodcalled it "a blast from start to finish" and "a delicious, hilarious romp that shows off Erivo and Grande's next-level talent and laugh-out-loud comedy chops. They serve up every number with surprises, delights and genuine depth."Manohla DargisofThe New York Timeswrote that Erivo "is the strongest draw in this splashy, overly long movie",while Gregory Ellwood ofThe Playlistwrote that Grande "often delivers startling depth to her character before jumping into a musical number that will have you grinning from ear to ear".
Jonathan Baileywas deemed a standout byPeter BradshawofThe Guardian, writing that he "uncorks an outrageous scene-stealer as thehetero-campFiyero",and byABC News'Peter Travers, noting that his performance was a "display of song, dance and acting virtuosity"."Dancing Through Life", his character's musical number, was described as "the adaptation's biggest musical accomplishment" byEntertainment Weekly'sChristian Holub.The Ozdust Ballroom and "Defying Gravity" scenes were cited as among the best of 2024 byVarietyandLooper, respectively.FilmmakersSteven Spielberg,George Lucas,Oliver Stone,Joe Dante,Adam McKay,Drew Goddard,William Goldenberg,Reinaldo Marcus Green,Max Hechtman,Laurel Parmet,Nicholas StollerandJuel Taylorpraised the film.
Odie Henderson ofThe Boston Globecalled the film "visually unappealing", commenting that "it can't handle the tonal shifts. Authoritarianism and broad comedy make strange and uneasy bedfellows."Christy Lemire ofRogerEbert.comsaid that "When it's all about the spectacle of big, splashy production numbers, this prequel toThe Wizard of Ozis thrilling" but that "far less effective is the way Chu ... wedges in the movie's heavier themes of authoritarianism".James Berardinelliof ReelViews wrote that "AlthoughWicked: Part 1has its share of high points (some of which aim very high), the filmmakers seem to have embraced the concept of 'bloat' as a beneficial characteristic."
Idina MenzelandKristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Galinda on Broadway, praised the performances of their film counterparts, with Chenoweth adding: "The whole cast is amazing. Jon Chu nailed it. I was so moved, emotional, happy, filled with joy."Menzel stated: "The film is so loving and respectful of the original show, but then builds on it in so many beautiful ways I never thought possible."Lorna Luft, one of the daughters ofJudy Garland, who portrayedDorothyin the 1939 film, called the film "breathtaking to look at" and "everything I wanted it to be".ActressesCarol KaneandSheryl Lee Ralph, both of whom played Madame Morrible in the Broadway, Los Angeles and touring productions of the musical, praised the film, with Kane saying "Having done this show for years, it's sort of amazing that I was still bowled over by what I saw in the film."ActorsMark Hamill,Paul Mescal,Ryan Reynolds,Kieran Culkin,Fernanda TorresandMillie Bobby Brown, as well as singer-songwriterTaylor Swift, also expressed their admiration for the film, with Hamill calling it an "instant classic."
ElleUK's Panashe Nyadundu wrote that the film was a "much-needed escape" with a powerful message of kindness, friendship, representation and acceptance that was warmly welcomed by audiences in the wake of the2024 United States presidential election. Nyadundu added: "FromLGBTQ+ representation, to shining a light ondisabilities,animal rights, female friendship and more,Wickednot only offersescapismto a world of utter fantasy, but equally, acts as a sharp reminder of how to navigate a world marred by corruption and discrimination."On November 21, 2024, a clip from the press tour interview in which the journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist toldCynthia ErivoandAriana Grandethat viewers were "holding space" for the lyrics of "Defying Gravity" wentviral, creating multiplememes. Gilchrist later explained what she meant: "For me, it means being in the moment, not being distracted and feeling something on a cellular level ... I think you can hold space with lyrics of a song—one you've heard hundreds of times—and it can suddenly take on new meaning when you're a queer person."
The film's choreography for the song "What Is This Feeling?" was recreated heavily onTikTokandInstagram Reelsby fans and the casts of various Broadway and West End productions.
In December 2024,Colliderranked the film at number 6 on its list of the "10 Best Fantasy Movies of the 2020s", with Robert Lee III writing that it "translated all the spectacle and fantasy wonder of the original Broadway show to the big screen in spectacular fashion ... As it continues to become one of the major box office successes of 2024, it will easily be in conversation as one of the biggest and most successful fantasy films of the decade."It also ranked number 3 on the site's list of the "12 Best Movie Musicals of the Last 25 Years", with Andrea Ciriaco writing "Director Jon M. Chu brings the beloved Broadway show to life with admirable precision and heartfelt passion and a fantastic cast of stars who channel their character's originality while still adding their own spin on the role, satisfying fans across the board."Josh at the Moviescalled it one of the best musical films of the 2020s, comparing it positively withWest Side Story(2021),The Color Purple(2023),Wonka(2023), andTick, Tick... Boom!(2021), while adding "Boasting incredible vocals, visual decadence, and intimate character moments,Wickedtruly may change musical cinema... for good."
The filmreceived several awards and nominations. It made history as the first fantasy film to winBest Filmat theNational Board of Review, and the first musical film to win sinceMoulin Rouge!(2001).It was named one of the top 10 films of 2024 by theAmerican Film Institute.At the82nd Golden Globe Awards,WickedwonCinematic and Box Office Achievementand received nominations forBest Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy,Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy(Cynthia Erivo), andBest Supporting Actress – Motion Picture(Ariana Grande).It tied withConclavefor a leading 11 nominations at the30th Critics' Choice Awards, winning three includingBest Directorfor Jon M. Chu,Best Production DesignandBest Costume Design.It led the31st Screen Actors Guild Awardswith five total nominations, includingOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role(Jonathan Bailey),Outstanding Performance by a Cast, andOutstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble.The film also tied with multiple other films to make it the most nominated film in the ceremony's history.At the97th Academy Awards, the film received ten nominations, includingBest Picture,Best Actressfor Erivo, andBest Supporting Actressfor Grande.
The sequel,Wicked: For Good, which will cover the events of the musical's second act, is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.In November 2024, Schwartz and Holzman said they were discussing possible future projects, but did not want to use the titlesPart ThreeorPart Four.