The 2024 Tony Awards came to a thrilling close with a special moment between Idina Menzel and Cynthia Erivo. The talented actresses and singers joined forces at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City to present the award for Best Musical, which was ultimately won by The Outsiders. However, before announcing the nominees, Menzel took a heartfelt pause to express her excitement for Erivo’s upcoming performance in the film adaptation of the popular musical Wicked. The chemistry between the two stars was palpable as Menzel gushed, “I just want to say green girl power,” with Erivo reciprocating, “I love you.” This brief exchange left fans eagerly anticipating what was to come in the highly anticipated Wicked movie.
Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba in the 2003 Broadway musical Wicked, passed the torch to Erivo, who will be portraying the iconic character on the big screen. The film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu, is set to be released in two parts, with the first installment scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, and the sequel following on December 25, 2025. Chu took to social media to explain the decision to split the film into two parts, emphasizing that it was necessary to fully capture the essence of the beloved story without making any sacrifices to the source material. By expanding the narrative across two movies, Chu aims to delve deeper into the world of Wicked and deliver an immersive experience for fans old and new.
In addition to Menzel and Erivo, the Wicked movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, and Peter Dinklage. The script was penned by the original stage show’s book writer Winne Holzman, alongside composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Marc Platt is producing the film through his Universal-based Marc Platt Productions, in collaboration with David Stone. The project is being overseen by Senior Executive Vice President of Production Erik Baiers and Vice President of Production Development Lexi Barta on behalf of the studio. Additionally, David Nicksay, Schwartz, and Jared LeBoff serve as executive producers, bringing their creative vision to life on the big screen.
Overall, the exciting union between Idina Menzel and Cynthia Erivo at the 2024 Tony Awards serves as a tantalizing preview of what’s to come in the upcoming Wicked movie. With a stellar cast, talented creative team, and a commitment to staying true to the original material, fans can look forward to a cinematic experience that honors the beloved musical while offering new surprises and depth to the storyline. Get ready to be spellbound by the magic of Wicked like never before!