Brace yourselves, loyal "Wicked" fans, Behold a cinematic masterpiece poised to enchant and astound audiences alike!Jon M. Chu's second chapter of the beloved Broadway musical adaptation is poised to enchant theaters this November. Oh, what a triumphant day indeed, as the initial glimpse of the "Wicked: For Good" poster has been gleefully spotted at CinemaCon, promising an unforgettable celebration.
In this highly anticipated sequel to Chu's silver screen adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical, the mesmerizing witches of Oz, Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda (formerly Galinda), stand proudly perched on opposite cliff edges. Separating them, amidst the backdrop of the iconic yellow brick road and the wizard's majestic palace in Oz, is the setting that marked the grand "Defying Gravity" finale of the first installment.
Erivo's Elphaba emanates the full splendor of her "wicked witch" persona, while Grande's Glinda beautifully captures the essence of the beloved Good Witch that fans of "The Wizard of Oz" are accustomed to. The poster's evocative tagline, "You will be changed," serves as a poignant nod to the renowned duet from the Broadway musical that inspired the film's title, "For Good." This haunting tune stands as one of "Wicked's" most memorable anthems, following closely in the footsteps of "Defying Gravity."
"Wicked" unveils the untold tale of the enigmatic witches of Oz. The screenplay for Chu's movie was penned by Winnie Holzman, the stage production's book writer, alongside Dana Fox. Academy Award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz has skillfully adapted the musical for the big screen. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth famously originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, on Broadway, even making surprise cameo appearances in the "One Short Day" sequence of the "Wicked" film.
The first "Wicked" film concluded with Erivo's breathtaking rendition of the stage show's most renowned musical number, "Defying Gravity." As "Defying Gravity" marks the conclusion of the Broadway show's first act, this climactic ending paved the way for Chu's visionary decision to split Acts 1 and 2 into separate films. His adaptation of "Wicked" remains steadfast to the stage musical, retaining the story's overall plot with minimal alterations.
The second act of "Wicked" delves into darker territories, contrasting sharply with the bright and cheerful moments of the first act. Both in the stage musical and film, "Defying Gravity" serves as the pivotal moment when Elphaba "transforms" into the Wicked Witch of the West known to "Wizard of Oz" fans. This transformation is enriched with the context that the Wizard and her mentor, Madame Morrible (portrayed by Michelle Yeoh in the film), deemed her "wicked" after she refused to aid their plot to deprive the animals of Oz of their rights. As Elphaba chooses to rebel against the Wizard and Glinda opts to stay, the unlikely friends from the first act and film part ways.
It remains a mystery what alterations, if any, will be introduced in "Wicked: For Good." Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz, the musical's original composer and lyricist, previously revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that two new songs, integral to the narrative, will be featured. While the stage musical's second act unfolds in parallel to the events of the original "Wizard of Oz," Dorothy and her companions are subtly portrayed only from behind or in silhouette.
