Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Wicked fans stunned by epic first look of film set: ‘Already movie of the decade’

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo lead forthcoming screen adaption of Broadway musical

Inga Parkel
Wednesday 12 April 2023 01:59 EDT
Comments
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo To Star in ‘Wicked’ Movie

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wicked fans have been left in awe of a first-look video teasing the set of the forthcoming screen adaptation of the popular Broadway musical.

Announced in 2022, director Jon M Chu’s forthcoming two-part movie will star Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch, opposite Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

In a video reposted to Twitter on Tuesday (11 April) from Pop Base, an aerial shot of what appears to be an intricate recreation of Elphaba’s native home of Munchkinland can be seen.

While the iconic Yellow Brick Road, central to the plot of TheWizard of Oz, is shown passing through the heart of the fictional city.

“New look at the set for WICKED starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo,” the caption reads.

Impressed fans have responded in shock to the footage, with one saying: “Oh, this movie is going to break records.”

“Already movie of the decade,” a second agreed.

“It’s so pretty,” a third praised, while another argued the “set designers need a raiseeee”.

The first part of the movie is expected to be released in cinemas on 25 December 2024, followed a year later by part two.

Chu initially explained his choice to split the movie into two parts, saying: “It became impossible to wrestle the story of Wicked into a single film without doing some real damage to it.

“As we tried to cut songs or trim characters, those decisions began to feel like fatal compromises to the source material that has entertained us all for so many years.”

The news was poorly received by fans, who criticised the decision, claiming it was “utterly unnecessary”.

The first look at the set comes as Grande issued a rare statement addressing fan concerns about her health.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in