Wicked: Part I

 Wicked: Part I (2024)

After years of stops, starts, and missed release dates, a feature film adaptation of "Wicked" is finally on the way. This vision of L. Frank Baum's Oz reimagines Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, as a sympathetic protagonist. Such a story is told through vibrant musical numbers like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity," which have become enormously popular with theater kids and the general public alike. Given that ubiquity — not to mention the popularity of Oz as a fictional realm — it's no surprise that a movie version of "Wicked" is highly anticipated by the general public.
This adaptation is being directed by Jon M. Chu, who proved his musical chops while helming the "In the Heights" movie, while Cynthia Erivo of "Harriet" and pop star Ariana Grande headline a star-studded ensemble cast as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. They'll be joined here by the Oscar-winning Michelle Yeoh ("Everything Everywhere All at Once") as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum ("Jurassic Park") as the Wizard of Oz, and Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones") as the talking goat Dr. Dillamond. You can also expect to see the likes of Jonathan Bailey ("Bridgerton"), Bowen Yang ("Saturday Night Live"), Bronwyn James ("Harlots"), Keala Settle ("The Greatest Showman"), Ethan Slater of Broadway fame, and newcomer Marissa Bode, among others.
With actors like this around, there's no question that the beloved musical numbers in "Wicked" will be delivered with plenty of gusto and energy. The potential for memorable imagery in Chu's vibrant visual sensibilities being applied to the land of Oz is also incredibly exciting. It's taken countless years of anticipation, but the first installment in a two-part "Wicked" movie adaptation is scheduled to defy gravity on November 22, 2024.