Fans thought 2013’s Oz the Great and Powerful would build up to a Wicked adaptation, but that movie managed to fizzle out in the box office. Now Universal is ready to come back to the land of Oz with an adaptation of the hit musical Wicked, and we have our first look thanks to the Superbowl.
Check out Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) in the new teaser:
Here’s the official description:
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.
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 pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.
The movie is directed by Jon M. Chu who is best known for his work with In the Heights; he’s also the director behind Crazy Rich Asians—which kind of explains how Michelle Yeoh is in the film.
Though I thought that 2013’s Oz reboot had an interesting angle, it never did get the same popularity that Wicked managed to have, and I’m sure a lot of audience members who haven’t seen the musical are excited to see what all the fuss is about.
It’s going to be exciting to watch Erivo and Grande be at the heart of the movie, but Wicked also managed to do some dynamite casting with Jeff Goldblum who I’m sure is going to add that zany nuance to a character like the Wizard.
Wicked is set to release in theaters on Nov. 27.
