The star-studded cast of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the much-anticipated adaptation of the beloved Broadway hit, "Wicked," has finally arrived closer to its big-screen debut. Directed by the talented Jon M. Chu, fans will now get a sneak peek into the magical world of Oz earlier than anticipated. Universal Pictures
revealed on Monday that the musical extravaganza will enchant audiences on November 22, advancing from its original release date of November 27, just before Thanksgiving. This new date not only gives the film more time to build momentum and buzz heading into the holiday season, but also avoids a clash with Disney's "Moana 2."
Instead, "Wicked" will face off against Paramount's "Gladiator II," starring Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott's sequel to the Oscar-winning 2000 epic. Grande takes on the role of Glinda, while Erivo embodies the iconic Elphaba, with Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, and Bowen Yang rounding out the enchanting ensemble.
Producers Marc Platt and David Stone have been hard at work to bring this vision to life, and director Chu promised CinemaCon audiences in April that "Wicked" would be a magical land of sights and sounds that would astound and delight, with performances that would soar to the heavens and, at times, touch the heart.
This first installment of the two-part franchise sets the stage for "Wicked: Part Two," which is still slated for a Thanksgiving weekend release in 2025, promising to continue the spellbinding tale of Oz for years to come.
