Las Vegas, Nevada – After a year of anticipation, Universal Pictures brought the magical crew of Wicked to CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Led by filmmaker Jon M. Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the team shared exclusive footage for theater owners at the event. The emotional presentation saw Chu and Grande moved to tears as they recounted the journey of bringing the beloved musical to the big screen.
The event featured remarks from cast members including Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Jonathan Bailey. Universal chief Donna Langley expressed the studio’s faith in the film by devoting a significant portion of the presentation to Wicked. As the theater darkened, lanyards and tulips handed out to attendees illuminated, setting the stage for a dazzling display.
Chu and producer Marc Platt discussed their long-standing connection to the source material, with Platt’s journey starting 25 years ago when he first envisioned Wicked as a film. The casting process, which lasted months, culminated in the selection of Grande and Erivo for the pivotal roles of Glinda and Elphaba. The two stars took to the stage, dressed in character-inspired outfits, and shared their personal connections to Wicked and the impact of portraying these iconic roles.
The story of Wicked follows the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda as they navigate the complexities of the Land of Oz. The exclusive footage showcased their initial interactions as students at Shiz University, setting the stage for the transformative journey ahead. Chu’s vision for the film to capture the magic and essence of Oz came to life, with real flowers adorning the set and live vocals recorded by Grande and Erivo.
Wicked, based on the Tony-winning Broadway musical and novel by Gregory Maguire, is set for release on Thanksgiving 2024, with a sequel, Wicked Part Two, scheduled for 2025. The anticipation for the film continues to grow as fans eagerly await the cinematic adaptation of this beloved story, promising a magical experience for audiences worldwide.