One of the most successful and beloved musicals on Broadway, the West End, and beyond is finally adapted into a film. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) director Jon M. Chu took on the task of bringing Wicked to the screen, and he has done an excellent job! Both moviegoers and fans of the musical have spoken highly of the adaptation. Unfortunately, the producers made the decision to split the musical into two films—a commercial choice that wasn’t strictly necessary.
In the land of Oz, the green-skinned Elphaba and the popular Galinda meet at Shiz University. Despite being complete opposites, they transform their mutual disdain into a friendship. This unusual and powerful bond forms the basis of Wicked.
In the Emerald City, the friends pay a visit to the Wizard—a meeting that doesn’t go as planned. Instead of the savior they thought he would be, the Wizard is behind a scheme to stop all animals from speaking. This doesn’t sit well with Elphaba. Armed with the spellbook The Grimmerie, Elphaba escapes, only to be named a “wicked witch” by the Wizard and Madame Morrible as she flies away on her broom.
Singing and Acting Bring the Film to Life
With Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera in the roles of Elphaba and Galinda/Glinda, the casting is spot on. It must have been a challenging task, as both roles require impressive vocals and strong acting abilities. The singing, in particular, is far from disappointing. Both Erivo and Grande deliver their songs exceptionally well, and reportedly sang live on set, making their performances all the more impressive.
But it’s not just the leading ladies who shine. Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) as Fiyero is a delightful surprise. The British actor proves he has a strong singing voice and can dance as well.
What stands out most about Wicked, according to musical fans, is the chemistry between the three leads. Erivo and Grande’s real-life friendship, evident during the press tour, translates beautifully on screen. Additionally, Bailey conveys his complicated relationships with both actresses effortlessly, even without dialogue.
Other notable performances come from Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Peter Dinklage, who all sing despite not being known for their vocal skills. This works well, as the story keeps its focus firmly on Erivo, Grande, and Bailey as Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero—an effective choice for the film.
Cameos
The beloved musical has a massive global fanbase, but it’s especially the original Broadway cast who rose to fame thanks to Wicked. It’s no surprise, then, that Jon M. Chu invited some of them for cameo roles in the film.
Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth were expected to make an appearance, but the nature of their cameo was unexpected. The original Broadway Elphaba and Glinda have a new scene—a nice touch, though even musical fans might argue it went a bit overboard. A shame!
Wicked: For Good
Jon M. Chu and his writers opted to split the musical into two films—a choice with both advantages and drawbacks. Wicked is a rich story that benefits from further development, and the incredible visuals of the land of Oz truly shine on the big screen.
However, the additional backstory slows the film’s pace. Without it, the story is still perfectly clear—just look at the musical. This first film covers the first act of the musical, stretching to nearly three hours. Fortunately, the second act is already filmed and is set for release in November 2025.
The second film, Wicked: For Good, has big shoes to fill. After just a few weeks, Wicked has already been declared the most successful musical adaptation ever, surpassing Mamma Mia in record time—a well-deserved achievement. Still, the second instalment will need to build on this success.
Whether you’re familiar with the story or not, anyone who has seen Wicked will be eager to see how it concludes. The second act still has some major songs to look forward to, and Erivo and Grande are sure to do them justice.
Wicked (2024)
Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Galinda, a popular girl, become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. After an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads.
Genre: Musical, Fantasy, Romance
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and others.
Director: Jon M. Chu
