At the 2024 Tony Awards, Idina Menzel and Cynthia Erivo stole the show with their powerful presence on stage at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The duo came together to present the award for Best Musical, which was won by The Outsiders. However, it was their heartfelt exchange that truly captured the audience’s attention.
Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba in the Broadway musical Wicked, took a moment to acknowledge Erivo’s upcoming portrayal of the iconic character in the film adaptation of the musical. She expressed her excitement for Erivo’s performance, while Erivo reciprocated the love by saying, “I love you.” Menzel added a playful touch by mentioning “green girl power,” alluding to the powerful and inspiring characters they both portray.
Director Jon M. Chu took to social media to announce an exciting update on the film adaptation of Wicked. The adaptation will be split into two parts, with the first part scheduled for release on November 27, 2024, and the sequel following on December 25, 2025. Chu explained that the decision to divide the film into two parts stemmed from the desire to stay true to the essence of the beloved musical.
In his letter posted in April 2022, Chu emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of the story and characters from Wicked. He expressed concern that condensing the narrative into a single film would compromise the depth and richness of the source material. By opting for two films, Chu and his team aim to delve deeper into the characters’ journeys and deliver a more comprehensive adaptation of Wicked.
The new film adaptation of Wicked boasts a star-studded cast, including Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Peter Dinklage, among others. The script was penned by the original stage show’s book writer, Winne Holzman, and composer-lyricist, Stephen Schwartz. Marc Platt is spearheading the production through his Marc Platt Productions, in collaboration with David Stone. The project is being overseen by Universal’s Erik Baiers and Lexi Barta.
With such a talented ensemble and a dedicated creative team, the Wicked film adaptation promises to bring the magic of the musical to the big screen in a way that stays true to its roots while offering fresh perspectives and surprises for both fans and newcomers alike. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated cinematic event.