The long awaited film adaptation of Wicked is coming together, as Jonathan Bailey joins the cast.
Of all the stage musicals to be adapted to film, it’s a surprise that it’s taken Wicked such a long time. Stephen Schwartz’s hugely popular musical premiered back in 2003, with future Frozen star Idina Menzel in her breakout role as Elphaba, alongside Kristen Chenoweth as Glinda.
The musical serves as a prequel to The Wizard Of Oz, charting Elphaba’s transformation into the iconic Wicked Witch of the West.
Many of the creatives from the musical are involved in the film, not least writer of the book Winnie Holtzman, who returned to pen the screenplay, and Schwartz, who has penned a new song. Schwartz’s songs are cited as one of the reasons the story is being split into two films, with Defying Gravity seen as such a show-stopping number, it can only serve as a finale to the first part. Jon M Chu will direct.
Cynthia Erivo will play Elphaba alongside Ariana Grande as Glinda. Now, it’s been confirmed that Jonathan Bailey will portray Fiyero. Bailey is no stranger to musicals, having appeared in the 2019 revival of Company.
Wicked is currently filming at Elstree Studios in the UK. Part 1 is due to be released on Christmas Day 2024, with Part 2 following exactly a year later, on Christmas Day 2025.
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