New Wicked Featurette Builds the World of the Highly Anticipated Adaptation

New Wicked Featurette Builds the World of the Highly Anticipated Adaptation

As a musical theater enthusiast and long-time fan of “Wicked,” I cannot contain my excitement for this upcoming adaptation! The latest behind-the-scenes featurette only adds fuel to the fire, providing an intriguing look into how Jon M. Chu and his team are bringing the magical world of Oz to life on the big screen.


2024 has been an exceptional year for cinema, with many exciting movies yet to be released. One highly-awaited film scheduled for November is “Wicked,” the initial part of a two-part movie adaptation based on the long-running Broadway musical. A full-trailer for this production has already been unveiled, leaving musical aficionados eager to witness how Jon M. Chu (director of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights”) brings the story to life on the big screen. For those curious about the film’s production process, Universal Pictures recently released a new featurette titled “Creating the World of ‘Wicked’.”

To create an authentic experience of the #WickedMovie universe, director Jon M. Chu asserts that one must be actively involved in constructing it. In a recent YouTube featurette released by Universal, Chu expresses their intention to make the world of Wicked engrossing. Watch the video below for a glimpse into the process of building some of the movie’s captivating sets.

What Is Wicked About?

New Wicked Featurette Builds the World of the Highly Anticipated Adaptation

As a seasoned theater critic with a deep appreciation for innovative productions, I find the description of “Wicked” to be particularly intriguing. The untold story of Oz’s witches, Elphaba and Glinda, comes to life through the exceptional talents of Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winning actress Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda.

As students at the magical Shiz University in the land of Oz, we cross paths with each other and form an unlikely yet deep friendship. Our bond is put to the test after meeting the powerful Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this juncture, our lives diverge drastically. Glinda’s insatiable thirst for popularity leads her down a path of power and wealth, while I, Elphaba, remain committed to staying true to myself and those around me.

In this adaptation, Michelle Yeoh, a winner of an Oscar, plays the esteemed headmistress Madame Morrible of Shiz University. Jonathan Bailey, known for his roles in “Bridgerton” and “Fellow Travelers,” portrays Fiyero, a mischievous and free-spirited prince. Ethan Slater, a Tony nominee from Broadway’s “Spongebob Squarepants” and “Fosse/Verdon,” brings Boq to life, a compassionate Munchkin student. Making her feature film debut is Marissa Bode as Nessarose, the preferred sister of Elphaba. Lastly, Jeff Goldblum graces the screen as the renowned Wizard of Oz.

As a gamer, I’d describe it like this: In this game, Pfannee and ShenShen are my two cunning allies, portrayed by Emmy-nominated Bowen Yang from Saturday Night Live and Bronwyn James from Harlots. We have Glinda, but these two are always up to something behind the scenes. And there’s a fresh addition to our team, Miss Coddle, brought to life on screen by Tony Award-nominee Keala Settle, known for her incredible performances in The Greatest Showman.

Under the guidance of accomplished director Jon M. Chu, known for his work on “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights,” “Wicked” marks the beginning of a two-part experience filled with rich culture.

The first part of “Wicked,” titled simply as “Wicked,” is set to premiere in theaters on November 22, 2022. In contrast, the second part, known as “Wicked Part Two,” is planned for release in theaters on November 26, 2025.

Read More

2024-07-24 22:09