It says something about the love we have for The Wizard of Oz that we tend not to bat an eye at all of the various spinoffs, sequels, prequels, and whatnot. Audiences weren’t even too upset about Oz the Great and Powerful, and it wasn’t very good at all. But there’s genuine excitement about the upcoming two-part film Wicked, an adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical.
Cynthia Erivo dons green skin to play Elphaba, with Ariana Grande as Glinda, witches and friends honing their witchcraft at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. But we’ve all seen The Wizard of Oz and know what happens to these two, as one embraces evil and the other becomes a force for good. Their journey to getting there isn’t so simple, though.
The film is directed by Jon M. Chu, the In the Heights director who knows his shit when it comes to musical adaptations. Also in the cast are Michelle Yeoh,Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, Bronwyn James, and Keala Settle.
Here’s the synopsis: Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. The two 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, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Wicked hits theaters on November 27th, with part two arriving a year later.
