Categories: News

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Defy Gravity in New ‘Wicked’ Trailer ArticlePure

Wicked is opening the gates of Shiz University.

On Sept. 5, Universal Pictures debuted a new trailer for the musical adaptation starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

The latest glimpse shows more of the land of Oz’s fictional university, headed by Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible, plus Glinda and Elphaba’s fated meeting and falling out, set to the musical’s iconic song “Defying Gravity.”

The movie’s cast also includes Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, who is seen encountering Elphaba in the woods in one moment, as well as Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Keala Settle as Miss Coddle, and Ethan Slater as Boq.

Wicked poster.

Universal Pictures


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“The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship,” a synopsis reads. “Following an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths.”

“Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future,” the synopsis adds.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked.

Universal Pictures


Director Jon M. Chu, who adapted the upcoming two-part movie from Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway musical, told PEOPLE in July that creating a cinematic experience allows the movie to be “more intimate” than the stage show.

The musical itself was adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and initially premiered on Broadway in 2003.

“We get the camera two inches from their face, so we can see when they’re lying, when they’re not, or when they’re lying to themselves,” Chu, 44, said. “That brings a lot of power to the show that you can’t have on a stage when you have to look forward to the back of the crowd.”

Wicked: Part One is in theaters Nov. 27. The movie’s second part is slated for Nov. 26, 2025.

Varshil

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