“Anora” Completes Its Cinderella Story With Fairy Tale Oscars Night
The 97th Oscars ended up being a true fairy tale story for writer/director Sean Baker’s Anora, with Baker capping an already magical night after winning Oscars for Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Director—in which he gave a rousing acceptance speech defending the unparalleled experience of the theater experience—by seeing Anora take the top prize, Best Picture. ...
Best of 2024: “Wicked” Director Jon M. Chu Takes Us Behind the Curtain of His Gravity-Defying Adaptation
This interview was selected by measures having nothing to do with science as one of our standouts from 2024. This was one of the easier selections—Chu’s sensational adaptation managed to delight mega-fans of the Broadway juggernaut as well as newbies freshly dazzled by the story of Elphaba, Glinda, and the ramifications of their epic friendship. ...
“Wicked: Part Two” Gets Official New Title Ahead of 2025 Release
The title for the sequel to director Jon M. Chu’s critical and commercial smash hit Wicked is no longer Wicked: Part Two. Universal announced yesterday that the second half of the two-parter is now called Wicked: For Good. The change is a nod toward a highly anticipated upcoming duet between the movie’s two stars, Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana ...
A New Spin on “Wicked”: Choreographer Christopher Scott on his Whirlwind Creations
Wicked has danced its way through theaters, earning rave reviews and the adoration of fans all over the globe. The kinetic, kaleidoscopic movement accompanying the iconic songs was largely thanks to choreographer Christopher Scott, who crafted all-new, original numbers for the show-stopping music, ranging from intimate to epic. The adaptation of the stage musical, based on ...
“Wicked” Director Jon M. Chu Takes us Behind the Curtain of His Gravity Defying Adaptation
Spoilers aplenty! Black hat seated atop her head, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) peers around the corner of the Ozdust ballroom, excited to attend her first party ever. She tentatively takes her first steps down the stairs, silhouette illuminated by the spotlight, when the music suddenly halts and her peers begin to laugh. The excitement quickly drains ...
Production Designer Nathan Crowley: The Visionary Behind “Wicked’s” Stunning Sets
Before Wicked, British production designer Nathan Crowley worked on eight Christopher Nolan movies, earning six Oscar nominations along the way. Now he’s made the unlikely pivot from dark Gotham City to effervescent Emerald City as world builder-in-chief for Universal Pictures’ Wizard of Oz prequel. Based on the Broadway musical, Wicked topped the box office this past ...
“Wicked” Cinematographer Alice Brooks on Casting a Magical Light Over This Dazzling Adaptation
Embracing Old Hollywood and a plethora of source material, cinematographer Alice Brooks knew her Wicked vision for Oz would be rich and luxurious. Wicked is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, inspired by the long-running stage show based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. It stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a misunderstood green-skinned woman. She finds ...
Mushroom Couture: “Wicked” Costume Designer Paul Tazewell on Drawing Inspiration From the Natural World
Few films this year showcase intricate detail and epic scale like director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked does. The breathtaking costuming created by acclaimed costume designer Paul Tazewell is a vital element of the filmmaker’s captivating vision. Wicked, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, is inspired by the long-running stage show based on Gregory Maguire’s ...
“Wicked” Review Round-Up: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Dazzle in Mesmerizing Musical
The reviews for director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked have finally arrived, confirming what was first reported around Halloween—the first big-screen adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon is a dazzling smash. In case you’ve been kept in a chamber deep within the bowels of Emerald City, we’ll lay out the broad strokes—Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as Elphaba, ...
Prepare to Defy Gravity: “Wicked” Will Have Sing-Along Screenings This Christmas
Talk about a Christmas miracle. Universal will offer roughly 1,000 chances for Wicked fans to sing along during the film in special interactive screenings across North America on December 25, Variety reports. This gives all those with the pipes to sing—and the rest of us who are just excited to see the film and could use ...
“Wicked” First Reactions: A Dazzling Adaptation That Conjures the Magic of Movies at Their Best
The first reactions to director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked are descending upon social media like so many flying monkeys. Chu’s adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical—itself an adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel—is led by two powerhouse performers in Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. The first reactions are mostly raves, with folks calling ...
See the Magic: “Wicked” Unveils Dazzling New Images From Oz and Behind-the-Scenes
We’ve heard some of the iconic musical numbers that director John M. Chu has in store for us with his adaptation of Wicked, which will unleash the singing chops of superstars Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda), as well as a stellar cast that includes Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), a young man with singing ability ...
Hear the Magic: “Wicked” Debuts Iconic Songs in New Teaser
A new Wicked teaser has arrived on a pair of monkey wings and musical notes, boasting a bunch of the iconic songs that fans of the Broadway Musical adore and are clamoring to see on the biggest screen possible when director John M. Chu’s adaptation hits the big screen. The new teaser dives right into the music, ...
“Wicked” Casts a Spell and Causes Commotion in a Brand New Trailer
“Fellow Ozians, the Wicked Witch of the West is dead!” So begins the second trailer for director John M. Chu’s Wicked, inviting us to find out what happened before Dorothy dropped into Oz and attitudes were cemented about that Wicked Witch. Chu’s Wicked is the first big-screen adaptation of the juggernaut Broadway show, and he’s deployed two multitalented superstars to help enchant ...
The First “Wicked” Trailer Arrives on the Wings of Flying Monkeys
The first trailer for director John M. Chu’s Wicked has arrived on a pair of wings. Chu’s Wicked is the first big-screen adaptation of one of the most successful Broadway shows of the 21st century, and he’s got the help of two otherworldly talents to help enchant Universal’s adaptation. The first is Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winner Cynthia ...
Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo’s “Wicked” Wows at CinemaCon
Director John M. Chu’s Wicked cast a spell at CinemaCon with a little help from his wonderful witches. Universal unveiled a new look at Chu’s Wicked, with Chu on hand in Las Vegas, alongside Ariana Grande (a Grammy-winning, multiple-platinum superstar) and Cynthia Erivo (a two-time Oscar nominee and Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winner), to reveal the footage. ...
First “Wicked” Trailer Finds Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Getting Witchy With It
The Big Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers also brought out some new trailers for this year’s biggest films. Those included Deadpool & Wolverine, Twisters, and director John M. Chu’s Wicked. Chu’s Wicked is the first big-screen adaptation of one of the most successful Broadway shows of the 21st century, and he’s got the ...
Michelle Yeoh Will Star in “Wicked” Movies as Madame Morrible
This is a major casting coup. Michelle Yeoh, coming off a big year with her incredible performance in the astonishing Everything Everywhere All At Once, is joining the cast of director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked films. Variety reports that Yeoh will be playing Madame Morrible, the headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University, joining a star-studded cast that includes ...
“Wicked” Movie Will Star Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
Universal’s adaptation of the hit Broadway musical just landed two phenomenal stars. Wicked will be led by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as Elphaba and Glinda respectively, in Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway juggernaut. Wicked has been dazzling theater-goers since it debuted on Broadway in 2003, and has since become one of only ...
