New set photos have emerged from the upcoming film adaptation of the popular musical “Wicked,” featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in preparation for their scenes together. “Wicked,” based on Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” tells the story of Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch, as she undergoes a transformation into the character famously encountered by Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” Accompanied by Glinda the Good Witch (played by Ariana Grande), Elphaba navigates the challenges of everyday life while slowly descending into her eventual role as the iconic villain.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are seen on the set of Wicked together for the first time https://t.co/BJVmyA3qr4
— Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) June 18, 2023
While both Erivo and Grande have been previously spotted on set, these new photos capture them side-by-side as they prepare for their next scene. In character, Erivo’s skin is dyed green, resembling the signature appearance of the Wicked Witch, while Grande is dressed in pink attire with her hair dyed a vibrant gold color. The photos showcase their striking resemblance to the characters from the stage production, particularly as they seem to be gearing up to perform the famous song “Popular.”
Grande and Erivo are expected to have a busy schedule in the coming years, as “Wicked” will be divided into two parts. Initially, the first part was slated for release on December 25, 2024, followed by the second part on December 25, 2025. However, the release date for the first part has been moved up to November 27, indicating positive progress in the film’s production.
The decision to split the film into two parts was made to ensure that none of the beloved songs or characters from the musical would be left out. This demonstrates the commitment of the cast and crew to deliver a faithful adaptation of the stage production.
Although the film will retain many of the original songs, there will also be some new additions to avoid creating a direct copy of the play. The highly acclaimed director of “In the Heights,” Jon M. Chu, has been chosen to helm the film, which began filming in late 2022.
Regarding the sequel, tentatively titled “Wicked Part Two: For Good,” there is currently no information available about the start of filming. However, Cynthia Erivo has mentioned that the script appears to be ready.
As production on “Wicked” continues, more details are expected to be unveiled. For now, fans can take solace in the fact that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo embody their respective roles as the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch flawlessly.
