The prequel “Wicked” delves into the past of the Witch of the West and Fairy of the North, Glynda. Before becoming enemies, these famous witches of Oz were friends despite everything opposing them. Elphaba, the first, displays green skin, feels misunderstood and is unaware of the extent of her powers. While G(a)linda is popular, pretty and well-liked. The meeting with the Wizard of Oz will change everything. In the name of power and love, their friendship will be put to the test and will lead them to become respectively, in everyone’s eyes, the evil and good witch.
A star cast
Successful musical comedy, songs by Stephen Schwartz to whom we owe those of the Hunchback of Notre Dame et The Prince of Egypt and story of friendship in an enchanted universe… It was only a matter of time before Hollywood decided to take it on. Adapting musicals for the big screen is a perilous exercise. Les Miserables or the famous Cats failed to convince fans or neophytes.
Pour WickedJon M. Chu has awarded himself a bunch of starts and not just anyone. Singer Ariana Grande plays the bubbly Glinda. Here she plays her first major role because she started on the small screen with Victororious. She made an appearance in the Netflix film Don’t Look Up alongside Leonardo Dicaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
Cynthia Erivo, who played and sang in The Color Purpleplays the role of Elphaba. Jonathan Bailey, very popular with fans of the series The Bridgerton Chroniclesplays Fiyero. Michelle Yeoh, first actress of Asian origin to win an Oscar in 2023, is also there.
“It’s very promising because the two main roles are played by excellent singers”comments the singer Axel Marbeuf who after the Star Academy participates in the musical comedy “I will love you”. “This is an opportunity to introduce musicals that are less known to French-speaking audiences.”
Decors and related products
The casting alone is enough to attract an audience who does not know the universe of Wicked. To increase the chances of making it a successful blockbuster, a colossal budget is devoted to building the fantasy world. The musical comedy amazes each time with its sets which are superimposed, transforming before the eyes to the point of making one believe in the existence of magic.
Here, the production has built numerous “hard” sets in order to be as realistic as possible. Nine million real tulips were planted for a scene requiring the crew to shoot in two weeks once in bloom. The giant wizard’s head, the giant train, the school, the boats… everything is true. The special effects were used in particular for the flying monkeys.
While the first part of the film is released in theaters on December 4, derivative products are already available. Brands like Playmobil and Monopoly are already banking on the film and already offering products bearing the image of Wicked. From dolls for children to assortments of cocktails for teenagers. Without forgetting the Avant calendar and beauty products by Ariana Grande. A major marketing campaign is underway even before the film’s release. Enough to “defy gravity” to make production take off very far.
