Wicked: Release Date, Cast, and Everything You Need to Know!

Talk of turning the musical Wicked into a film began in 2004, less than a year after the stage show premiered. However, fans have had to be patient, especially as the project resurfaced in 2010.

Fortunately, the wait is (almost) over: the first glimpses were revealed during the Super Bowl, and the release date is now set, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Here’s what to know about the film directed by Jon M. Chu.

Release Date: When and Where Can You Watch Wicked?

The journey back to the land of Oz on the big screen is scheduled to begin on December 4, 2024. The movie, titled Wicked Part 1, will hit theaters first. The second installment, Wicked Part 2, is set to follow on November 26, 2025, just in time for the holiday season.

The Story: What Is Wicked About?

Think you know the story of Oz? Think again! Wicked acts as both a prequel and a new take on The Wizard of Oz, unfolding before and during the events of L. Frank Baum’s classic book (which inspired one of the greatest films in cinema history in 1939). It tells the story from the perspective of the character traditionally seen as the villain: the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba.

Born with green skin, Elphaba faces discrimination from an early age, a situation that worsens when she attends Shiz University. Her sister, Nessarose, who is disabled due to a congenital condition, often receives more sympathy.

Elphaba’s roommate is Galinda, later known as the Good Witch of the South, who projects a flawless image and seems to glide above the ground as she walks. Initially adversaries, Galinda gradually grows to care for Elphaba, who develops her magical powers under the tutelage of Madame Morrible, the head of the University.

If you’re unfamiliar with Wicked (or its novel adaptation), don’t worry: this is just a brief overview, concluded by mentioning a pivotal encounter with the Wizard of Oz, a central twist in the plot.

Why Two Films?

“There’s so much to explore,” says Marc Platt, the producer of the adaptation. Indeed, the original show runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes, including intermission. “We didn’t want to come up with a four-hour cut and have to trim songs. We aim to satisfy the musical’s fans.” And they will get their money’s worth, as the runtime of the first part is set at 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The decision to split the movie makes sense, as the musical itself is divided into two acts: the first acting as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, while the second unfolds concurrently.

If the same structure is applied to the films, the first movie is expected to climax with Wicked’s most iconic song, “Defying Gravity,” glimpsed in the teaser trailer shown during the Super Bowl.

Note that Wicked is unrelated to Oz the Great and Powerful, a 2013 prequel directed by Sam Raimi that also explored the origin story of the witches in its own way.

Casting: Who Are the Stars of Wicked?

With anticipation high among the global fanbase of Wicked, the production has secured a stellar cast: pop star Ariana Grande will play Galinda, and Cynthia Erivo will portray Elphaba.

Cynthia Erivo, who made her film debut in Widows by Steve McQueen, has already demonstrated her musical talents in stage productions of Sister Act and, notably, The Color Purple, which earned her a Tony Award in 2016.

They will be joined by Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, the head of Shiz University, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. In terms of casting, these decisions strike a balance between obvious choices and sheer brilliance.

Jonathan Bailey, known from Broadchurch and Bridgerton, where he plays Anthony, will portray Fiyero, a source of tension among several female characters. Fans of The Greatest Showman will be pleased to see Kaela Settle, who performed “This Is Me,” featured in the film.

All under the direction of filmmaker and choreographer Jon M. Chu, known for his stunning work in Step Up 3D.

Why This Film Is Not to Be Taken Lightly?

Recent years have shown that predicting a film’s success in theaters is now more challenging than ever. Who would have thought, just a year ago, that Barbie and Oppenheimer would emerge as the winners of a summer showdown against Transformers, Mission: Impossible, and Indiana Jones?

It’s still early to forecast how Wicked will perform at the box office, but the potential is significant: since its 2003 debut, the musical has drawn over 65 million audience members worldwide and continues to run in London and New York (Broadway), where it ranks as the fourth most-performed show in history.

Moreover, its influence extends beyond the theater: The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy have all referenced it, as have episodes of Ugly Betty and Brothers & Sisters. Several songs have been covered in Glee (of course!) and New Girl, while the track “Popular” is featured on the soundtrack of Zombieland.

Additionally, many have noted similarities between “Let It Go,” the hit from Frozen (which might now be stuck in your head—sorry), and “Defying Gravity,” Wicked’s most iconic song, in both themes (including empowerment and self-affirmation) and vocal style.

Not to mention that Idina Menzel, who sang the song in Disney’s animated film, originated the role of Elphaba in the first Broadway production of Wicked.

A true phenomenon, one that may reach an even broader audience come December.