Star-Studded 'Wicked' Film Set for Cinematic Debut

The highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked” is set to premiere on 22 November, promising to be a major cinematic event. The film features a star-studded cast, including British actress Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and pop icon Ariana Grande as Glinda.

The European premiere took place recently at London’s South Bank, where the iconic area was transformed into the Emerald City. The red carpet event drew significant attention, with Grande and Erivo showcasing vibrant looks inspired by their characters, embracing a trend known as “method dressing,” similar to the promotional strategies seen with cinematic hits like “Barbie.”

In conjunction with the film’s release, various merchandise collaborations have emerged. Major retailers such as Target and Walmart are featuring themed apparel and accessories, while Starbucks has unveiled a range of drinks and merchandise inspired by “Wicked.” This marketing push aims to create buzz ahead of the film’s launch and boost retail sales during the busy holiday shopping season.

However, the promotion has not been without controversy. Erivo recently responded passionately to a fan-edited poster that altered a promotional image to mimic the original Broadway poster, stating that it felt degrading and inappropriate. Grande later shared her thoughts on the matter, noting the complexities of fan edits and expressing respect for Erivo’s feelings.

As excitement builds, “Wicked” aims not only to captivate audiences with its tale of friendship and ambition but also to create a cultural moment, supported by various fan-driven initiatives and marketing strategies. The anticipation surrounding its release suggests that it could perform strongly at the box office, with estimates ranging from $85 million to potentially exceeding $150 million in its opening weekend.

With “Wicked” already a beloved story, the film adaptation is set to offer a fresh perspective on the characters who have resonated with audiences for years. As the premiere date approaches, theatre fans worldwide are counting down to experience this modern cinematic interpretation of the classic tale.

Wicked stars take to the green carpet for European premiere

Wicked stars take to the green carpet for European premiere

Parts of the film were made in the United Kingdom, and British actress Cynthia Erivo, who plays the green witch Elphaba, said she's finally back home.

www.bbc.com
Starbucks wows fans and Ozians with Wicked-themed products

Starbucks wows fans and Ozians with Wicked-themed products

Starbucks has collaborated with Universal Pictures to celebrate the cinematic debut of Wicked.  Wicked, arriving in theatres from 20 November, is the

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Ariana Grande Weighs in on Cynthia Erivo’s Criticism of Fan-Edited ‘Wicked’ Posters and NSFW Meme: ‘I Find AI So Conflicting and Troublesome Sometimes’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Ariana Grande Weighs in on Cynthia Erivo’s Criticism of Fan-Edited ‘Wicked’ Posters and NSFW Meme: ‘I Find AI So Conflicting and Troublesome Sometimes’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Ariana Grande is reacting to her “Wicked” co-star Cynthia Erivo’s recent criticisms of fan-edited “Wicked” posters and AI-generated memes.

variety.com
Cynthia Erivo Explains Her 'Passionate' Clapback at Fan-Made 'Wicked' Poster (Exclusive)

Cynthia Erivo Explains Her 'Passionate' Clapback at Fan-Made 'Wicked' Poster (Exclusive)

Cynthia Erivo and designer Zac Posen chat with ET at the 2024 CFDA Awards in New York City about her look for the event, which the actress is hosting.

www.etonline.com
The 'Wicked' cast is embracing method dressing to promote the film. Here are their red-carpet looks, ranked from least to most on theme.

The 'Wicked' cast is embracing method dressing to promote the film. Here are their red-carpet looks, ranked from least to most on theme.

The Wicked cast has been wearing outfits inspired by the film to promote it, like Ariana Grande's pink gowns and Cynthia Erivo's green looks.

www.businessinsider.com
Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Wicked’ Poster Controversy, Explained

Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Wicked’ Poster Controversy, Explained

A ‘Wicked’ movie poster was edited by a fan to resemble the original Broadway musical image, which offended star Cynthia Erivo and sparked memes and d

www.forbes.com
A Wicked 4DX ad is now playing in select theaters

A Wicked 4DX ad is now playing in select theaters

We'll let you make your own decisions about 4DX.

www.engadget.com
Painting the town pink and green: 'Wicked' takes over retail ahead of theatrical debut

Painting the town pink and green: 'Wicked' takes over retail ahead of theatrical debut

Universal's Wicked is drumming up buzz ahead of its Nov. 22 release with hundreds of merchandise offerings from dozens of retail partners.

www.cnbc.com
Michelle Yeoh Admits She “Had No Clue” What ‘Wicked’ Was When Director Jon M. Chu Called Her

Michelle Yeoh Admits She “Had No Clue” What ‘Wicked’ Was When Director Jon M. Chu Called Her

Yeoh stars alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the big screen adaptation of the Tony-winning musical, which premiered in L.A. on Saturday.

www.hollywoodreporter.com
Wicked Los Angeles Premiere: See All the Celebrity Red Carpet Fashion - E! Online

Wicked Los Angeles Premiere: See All the Celebrity Red Carpet Fashion - E! Online

At the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, celebs turned heads on the red carpet in stylish looks.

www.eonline.com