I’ve heard it said that trailers come into our lives for a reason. And during the first half of Super Bowl LVIII, one of the most anticipated films of the year was teased when Universal Pictures gave a first look at Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway classic, Wicked. And we couldn’t be happier!
Starring Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Grammy-winning pop superstar Ariana Grande as G(a)linda, Wicked marks the second time Chu has brought a beloved (popular?) Broadway hit to the silver screen following 2021’s In the Heights. And thank goodness he did!
Though it’s only one short teaser (of the Emerald City), we get our first glimpses of the two main leads, as well as flashes of Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. We also see the cinematic version of Shiz University and Elphaba’s first day at school. The film looks to be incorporating more Wizard of Oz elements as we see cameos by Dorothy and her crew (which all happen off-stage in the musical). Lastly, we get a taste of Erivo belting the iconic final riff from the show-stopping act closer, “Defying Gravity” to close the trailer. Which brings me to the main takeaway I had.
Up until now, Wicked was reported to be split into two parts, essentially making a film out of each act from the musical, with Part 2 debuting during the 2025 holiday season. That might still be the case, but I was surprised to see the movie billed simply as Wicked, without the “Part One” designation. If they decide to keep the movie split in two (and don’t make it clear in the advertising) I foresee something bad happening in Oz.
Chu has said that there was too much story to squeeze into one movie, prompting the split. But you know what they say, “no good deed goes unpunished…”
Either way, Wicked — Part One or otherwise — is scheduled to open in theaters this Thanksgiving.