Universal Pictures has opted to move up the first of its two-film adaptation of the musical “Wicked” by a month – shifting the project from a Christmas Day 2024 release to a Thanksgiving holiday release on November 27th.
The move takes the film out of the firing line of the third “Avatar” feature along with giving it a major holiday slot that has actually proven good for the occasional musical – such as Disney’s animated “Frozen”.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are set to star in the lead roles of Glinda and Elphaba, respectively. They succeed in the roles played by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel on Broadway in 2003 where the show became a staple.
This Tony Award-winning prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” deals with the lead up to Dorothy’s arrival in Oz and offers a new look at one of the most maligned women in cinematic history: The Wicked Witch of the West.
The project marks Chu’s follow-up to the rave-reviewed but underperforming adaptation of the musical “In the Heights”. The film has long been in the works but didn’t really get going until just before the pandemic.
Also onboard are Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard. Stephen Schwartz, who penned the music and lyrics to the original Broadway show, is adapting the screenplay with Winnie Holzman. Marc Platt and David Stone are producing.
“Wicked: Part I” on November 27th 2024 will be followd by “Wicked: Part II” in late 2025.
Source: Universal Pictures
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