Wicked’s Jonathan Bailey Admits To Being Nervous Singing in Front Co-Stars

As a long-time fan of Broadway’s enchanting musical “Wicked,” I can hardly contain my excitement as we approach its much-anticipated debut on the big screen. The cast, under the visionary direction of Jon M. Chu, promises to deliver a magical experience, with powerhouse vocalists like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande gracing our screens alongside the incredibly talented Jonathan Bailey.

Over two decades ago, the Broadway musical “Wicked” made its grand entrance, and since then, enthusiasts of this musical adaptation from Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” – a work itself derived from L. Frank Baum’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and the famous 1939 film – have been yearning for the big-screen adaptation. This longing concludes on November 22nd as Jon M. Chu directs a stellar cast including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and others. While fans are thrilled to witness and listen to the cherished narrative and tunes in cinemas, for Jonathan Bailey, who portrays Fiyero Tigelaar in the film, performing those songs alongside co-stars Erivo and Grande was a challenging feat. In an interview with ComicBook, Bailey admitted that he “completely disassociated” but also invested extensive time to deliver his best when singing with some of the finest vocalists our era has seen.

Bailey expressed, “I was utterly detached. I only have hazy recollections of my wig in focus and Jon Chu giving a thumbs up in the periphery. Given that Ari and Cynthia, two of our most talented vocalists, were participating, I had prepared extensively. I knew they’d be there. I simply had to give it my all, and it was incredible. It was truly incredible. Their vocal abilities left me feeling like I’d undergone a facelift due to the force of their performance.

As a budding singer, I learned the art from Eric Vitro – a mentor who tutored me via Zoom. It wasn’t until two months after we completed our sessions that I finally met him in person. Our partnership was one of many, yet it stood out as an extraordinary collaboration. He was nothing short of sweet and caring. Each time I returned to my trailer, I found he had left gentle reminders for me to control my voice.

[RELATED: Wicked Character Posters Released]

In the musical “Wicked”, audiences delve into the tale of Elphaba, a young woman often misjudged due to her green complexion, and Glinda, a student yearning for immense popularity. As these two unconventional characters form an unexpected friendship, their lives intersect with the Wizard of Oz, causing their bond to reach a crucial juncture, leading them down separate life paths. Although spectators are excited to witness this narrative unfold on stage and appreciate the musical numbers, it’s important to note that some content from Maguire’s book, which serves as the basis for the “Wicked” musical, has undergone changes, resulting in variations between the theatrical performance and the film adaptation.

In simpler terms, Chu expressed that the focus wasn’t primarily on the book’s content, but rather on the vividly portrayed characters and their interactions on stage. He felt it was essential for both the audience and himself to experience these characters in action, as our imaginations often fill in the gaps. For instance, he was surprised to find out that a character didn’t actually fly around them as he had imagined. His goal was to bring those imaginative moments to life. Emotionally, key scenes like when characters move into their dorm room for the first time or the awkwardness of their interactions were crucial, as they reveal relationships and emotions that aren’t always expressed through song. He found these elements to be exciting aspects to further develop and explore.

Will There Be More Than One Wicked Movie?

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled that “Wicked” is about to grace the silver screen next week. But here’s a twist for fellow fans: The tale doesn’t end with this first installment. In fact, it’s been divided into two films! The sequel, titled “Wicked: Part Two,” is slated for release on November 21, 2026 – nearly a year to the day after “Wicked.” For director Jon M. Chu, it was crucial to ensure that he could tell this story in a way that truly does it justice, spreading it across two cinematic journeys.

Previously, he stated that they chose to expand their creative scope and produce not just one “Wicked” film, but two. This way, they would have a larger stage to faithfully portray the Wicked story as intended, adding layers of depth and unexpected twists to the adventures of these cherished characters.

Wicked opens in theaters on November 22nd.

2024-11-14 06:39

Will There Be More Than One Wicked Movie?

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