The highly-anticipated upcoming film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical “Wicked” has released its first official cast photos, and they are truly magical. Vanity Fair unveiled the stunning images, featuring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, and more stars in their respective roles.
Ariana Grande, who takes on the role of the pink bubbly Glinda the Good Witch, shared her excitement about the project, revealing that she had been waiting for the opportunity for years. “It was literally 10 years of being like, ‘Knock, knock, any developments?'” she joked in her interview with Vanity Fair.
Cynthia Erivo, portraying the protagonist Elphaba, expressed her surprise at being chosen for the role, considering she was one of the last actresses to audition. However, once the director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt saw her audition, they knew they had found their lead.
As a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” explores the backstory of the friendship between Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. Ariana and Cynthia, as the film’s leads, formed a strong bond during production.
“I just need to say that I don’t think people realize that she’s got the chops,” Cynthia praised Ariana’s talent. “I don’t think people realize how brilliant this person’s brain and voice and talent is.”
In return, Ariana described Cynthia as her favorite female voice, highlighting the mutual respect and admiration between the two stars.
While originally considering casting unknown talents for the film, the production ultimately assembled a star-studded cast, including Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Bowen Yang from “Saturday Night Live.” Director Jon M. Chu emphasized the live vocals of the cast, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of the performers.
With such a talented ensemble, the “Wicked” film adaptation promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience for fans of the beloved musical.
