In the Heights director helms film adaptation of beloved Broadway production starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
Wicked: Part One is an upcoming epic musical film directed by Jon M. Chu for Universal Pictures. It serves as the first installment of a two-part cinematic rendition of the stage musical, Wicked. Its second part will be released in theatres in 2025. The musical itself draws inspiration from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel titled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, as well as characters from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Chu is best known for directing such works as 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians and the 2021 musical, In the Heights. Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz, the creators of the original stage production, wrote the screenplay for Wicked: Part One.
The film features a star-studded cast of talented names, beginning with Cynthia Erivo portraying Elphaba Thropp, a young woman born with green skin who later becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Ariana Grande is Galinda Upland, a beautiful and popular young woman who eventually transforms into Glinda the Good Witch of the North. Jonathan Bailey takes on the role of Fiyero Tigelaar, the handsome prince from Winkie Country who later assumes the identity of the Scarecrow. Jeff Goldblum portrays the enigmatic character of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Ethan Slater plays Boq, a Munchkin who is in love with Galinda and eventually becomes the Tinman.
Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh brings Madame Morrible to life, the Headmistress of Shiz University. Marissa Bode portrays Nessarose Thropp, Elphaba's wheelchair-bound younger sister, who is in love with Boq and later becomes the Wicked Witch of the East. Bowen Yang takes on the role of Pfannee, one of Galinda's college friends while Bronwyn James plays ShenShen, another one of Galinda's college friends. Keala Settle introduces a new character named Miss Coddle, specifically created for the film adaptation. Aaron Teoh portrays Avaric, Fiyero's friend and Colin Michael Carmichael plays Nikidik, a professor at Shiz University.