Nearly 100 years later, cinema is still taking us to the wonderful world of Oz – and the latest trip there isn’t to tell the usual Wizard Of Oz story, but to peek behind the curtain on some of its most iconic characters. Get ready for a massive screen adaptation of hit stage musical Wicked, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel which provides a sympathetic twist on the origin of the Wicked Witch Of The West – spinning the familiar mythology in all-new ways. The big-screen version comes from director Jon M Chu, boasting Ariana Grande as its Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo as its green-skinned Elphaba – sending the duo off to Shiz University where they’ll become the best of frenemies. Watch the extended trailer here:
There’s plenty to digest there – this is a super-sized sneak peek, revealing a whole load of plot, as Glinda and Elphaba enter Shiz’s halls of learning,...
There’s plenty to digest there – this is a super-sized sneak peek, revealing a whole load of plot, as Glinda and Elphaba enter Shiz’s halls of learning,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are ready to defy expectations in the new trailer for the movie adaptation of Wicked.
On Wednesday, Universal Pictures released the first full promo for the initial installment of the two-part film version. Jon M. Chu’s film, which stars Grande as Glinda and Erivo as Elphaba, hits theaters Nov. 27.
Wicked’s teaser trailer aired during Super Bowl Lviii on Feb. 11 and provided the first look at the movie that adapts the Tony-winning Broadway musical of the same name, which is itself based on author Gregory Maguire’s 1995 book, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The project adapts characters that originated in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and were brought to life in the Oscar-winning 1939 film musical The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland as Dorothy.
The Wicked film follows green-skinned Elphaba and her...
On Wednesday, Universal Pictures released the first full promo for the initial installment of the two-part film version. Jon M. Chu’s film, which stars Grande as Glinda and Erivo as Elphaba, hits theaters Nov. 27.
Wicked’s teaser trailer aired during Super Bowl Lviii on Feb. 11 and provided the first look at the movie that adapts the Tony-winning Broadway musical of the same name, which is itself based on author Gregory Maguire’s 1995 book, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The project adapts characters that originated in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and were brought to life in the Oscar-winning 1939 film musical The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland as Dorothy.
The Wicked film follows green-skinned Elphaba and her...
- 5/15/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in director Jon M Chu’s new musical adaptation. Take a look at the new Wicked trailer.
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is one of this year’s most awaited film musicals. Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Chu’s film is adapted from the hugely popular, and rather good, stage musical. Recently, Chu also confirmed that the film would use live vocals, which isn’t surprising as both Grande and Erivo have pretty good pipes for this sort of thing.
The story proved too big for a single film, so Chu and writer Winnie Holtzman have divided it into two parts. We assume the first part will adapt the musical’s first act while Wicked Part Two will do justice to the second act, but don’t quote us on that.
A new trailer has just landed online as well, albeit not on a broomstick.
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is one of this year’s most awaited film musicals. Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Chu’s film is adapted from the hugely popular, and rather good, stage musical. Recently, Chu also confirmed that the film would use live vocals, which isn’t surprising as both Grande and Erivo have pretty good pipes for this sort of thing.
The story proved too big for a single film, so Chu and writer Winnie Holtzman have divided it into two parts. We assume the first part will adapt the musical’s first act while Wicked Part Two will do justice to the second act, but don’t quote us on that.
A new trailer has just landed online as well, albeit not on a broomstick.
- 5/15/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Ariana Grande is returning to her child-star roots to play Glinda the Good Witch in Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked.”
The highly-anticipated film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) as she and Glinda (Grande) befriend one another in college only to later both fall for the same classmate Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) against the political turmoil in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Chu helms the two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman. “Wicked” will debut in two parts, with respective holiday releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement of the split in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give...
The highly-anticipated film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) as she and Glinda (Grande) befriend one another in college only to later both fall for the same classmate Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) against the political turmoil in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Chu helms the two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman. “Wicked” will debut in two parts, with respective holiday releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement of the split in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give...
- 5/15/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Ozians are putting aside their panic for this one day, to celebrate!
The cause for commotion? Universal finally unveiled the first full-length trailer for its adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The dazzling, more than three-minute-long footage finally captures Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba singing two of the show’s anthems, “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”
A prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” recounts the events that happened before Dorothy followed that iconic yellow brick road and Elphaba, ostracized for her green skin, became the Wicked Witch of the West. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship (turned rivalry) of Elphaba and Glinda, who first met as classmates at Shiz University, and asks a central question: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
In the glittering trailer, Elphaba meets her (blonde!) roommate Glinda and gets gifted her signature black witch hat.
The cause for commotion? Universal finally unveiled the first full-length trailer for its adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The dazzling, more than three-minute-long footage finally captures Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba singing two of the show’s anthems, “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”
A prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” recounts the events that happened before Dorothy followed that iconic yellow brick road and Elphaba, ostracized for her green skin, became the Wicked Witch of the West. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship (turned rivalry) of Elphaba and Glinda, who first met as classmates at Shiz University, and asks a central question: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
In the glittering trailer, Elphaba meets her (blonde!) roommate Glinda and gets gifted her signature black witch hat.
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Jon M. Chu is ready to cast a spell on audiences when Wicked: Part One follows a yellow brick road into theater in November, and today, he’s sharing some behind-the-scenes magic in a new featurette. In the footage, we see an exclusive look at the sets, characters, and songs of the upcoming musical adaptation Broadway fans have been impatiently waiting for.
The Wicked featurette chronicles Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s journey toward playing Elphaba Thropp (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda Upland (Glinda the Good Witch), two sisters growing up together while at different ends of the enchanted kingdom of Oz. Oz is a magical place, though it’s not free from prejudice, and Elphaba is struggling to find her way in a world that doesn’t want her.
In the new featurette, Erivo and Grande explain how it’s been a dream to play their...
The Wicked featurette chronicles Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s journey toward playing Elphaba Thropp (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda Upland (Glinda the Good Witch), two sisters growing up together while at different ends of the enchanted kingdom of Oz. Oz is a magical place, though it’s not free from prejudice, and Elphaba is struggling to find her way in a world that doesn’t want her.
In the new featurette, Erivo and Grande explain how it’s been a dream to play their...
- 5/13/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
L-r, clockwise: Ethan Slater, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and Marissa BodeScreenshot: Universal/YouTube
“This is a very cinematic show. This should be on the big screen,” director John M. Chu recalls thinking after the first time he saw Wicked. It’s true he was handed all the ingredients...
“This is a very cinematic show. This should be on the big screen,” director John M. Chu recalls thinking after the first time he saw Wicked. It’s true he was handed all the ingredients...
- 5/13/2024
- by Mary Kate Carr
- avclub.com
"I want them to feel what I felt going into that theater for the first time. I want to make them laugh, to make them sing." Universal has revealed a new featurette for the Wicked musical movie event, arriving in theaters as two parts in 2024 / 2025. After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Directed by the very talented filmmaker Jon M. Chu, Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba Thropp, a young woman with green skin who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. Ariana Grande co-stars as Glinda, along with Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, plus Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz. This is...
- 5/13/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Gold Gala is the type of weekend where you can share an intimate booth at L.A. culinary hotspot Yangban with a Pulitzer winner (journalist Jose Antonio Vargas) and a top festival exec (TIFF chief programming officer Anita Lee) on Friday night and then mimosas and a sound bath at the Four Seasons the next morning with an Olympic figure skater and a former Miss Universe (Madison Chock and R’Bonney Gabriel, respectively) – all as part of mere pre-gaming to the titular main event, which took place at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Ostensibly a cultural celebration and awards dinner from Asian Pacific power broker network Gold House, the third annual Gold Gala was simultaneously an haute couture showcase (fashion designer Prabal Gurung served as its creative director) and a family reunion, with 600 Api talent and leaders from across multiple industries turning out in their finest “heritage black tie,...
Ostensibly a cultural celebration and awards dinner from Asian Pacific power broker network Gold House, the third annual Gold Gala was simultaneously an haute couture showcase (fashion designer Prabal Gurung served as its creative director) and a family reunion, with 600 Api talent and leaders from across multiple industries turning out in their finest “heritage black tie,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lucy Liu was honored with the Legend award at the third annual Gold House Gold Gala on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Liu delivered a passionate speech after accepting the award from Regina King. “What I love about Regina is that she always makes choices that are for her,” Liu told the audience. “When I started over 30 years ago, there weren’t a lot of choices that I could make for myself.”
Liu — whose credits include “Ally McBeal,” “Elementary,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” “Charlie’s Angels” and Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence” — talked about having to make casting decisions “because of limitations.” She said, “I love that we are all here tonight because there is no ceiling, and I’ve never seen that for myself. I want us to all collectively understand how special this moment is that we are together as a community. I share this award with you because you have lifted me up,...
Liu delivered a passionate speech after accepting the award from Regina King. “What I love about Regina is that she always makes choices that are for her,” Liu told the audience. “When I started over 30 years ago, there weren’t a lot of choices that I could make for myself.”
Liu — whose credits include “Ally McBeal,” “Elementary,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” “Charlie’s Angels” and Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence” — talked about having to make casting decisions “because of limitations.” She said, “I love that we are all here tonight because there is no ceiling, and I’ve never seen that for myself. I want us to all collectively understand how special this moment is that we are together as a community. I share this award with you because you have lifted me up,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
This weekend, “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo will receive the Gold Ally honor at the Gold House Gold Gala, and filmmaker Jon M. Chu will present the award to her.
Ahead of the Gala, Chu spoke with Variety celebrating his leading lady. He recalls the first time he met her over Zoom while casting for his upcoming movie musical “Wicked.”
Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel that inspired Broadway’s acclaimed musical of the same name, “Wicked” precedes Dorothy’s arrival in Oz and tells the legend of the world and the story behind Elphaba, (Erivo) the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), who becomes the good witch.
Chu shares insight into the performance that blew him away, and why Erivo receiving the Gold Ally award has special meaning for him.
What’s your earliest memory of meeting Cynthia?
It was meeting her over Zoom. She was in...
Ahead of the Gala, Chu spoke with Variety celebrating his leading lady. He recalls the first time he met her over Zoom while casting for his upcoming movie musical “Wicked.”
Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel that inspired Broadway’s acclaimed musical of the same name, “Wicked” precedes Dorothy’s arrival in Oz and tells the legend of the world and the story behind Elphaba, (Erivo) the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), who becomes the good witch.
Chu shares insight into the performance that blew him away, and why Erivo receiving the Gold Ally award has special meaning for him.
What’s your earliest memory of meeting Cynthia?
It was meeting her over Zoom. She was in...
- 5/10/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Two-time Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning producer Michael Bostick is joining Jon M. Chu’s multi-media production company, Electric Somewhere as their new Head of Film.
Bostick will be joining Caitlin Foito, the Head of Television, who continues to lead the department under Chu’s deal at 20th Century Fox Television.
Earlier this year, Chu signed a first-look feature film deal at Warner Bros; the filmmaker having made Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights at the studio.
“I’ve long admired Michael’s films and the successful companies he’s built. His sophisticated taste and endless curiosity about the stories he champions perfectly align with the vision I have for the Electric Somewhere Company. I’m thrilled that we’re finally teaming up to create purpose-driven spectacles for the largest screens, bringing joy to audiences around the world,” said Chu.
“Jon’s boundless talent as a top-tier storyteller...
Bostick will be joining Caitlin Foito, the Head of Television, who continues to lead the department under Chu’s deal at 20th Century Fox Television.
Earlier this year, Chu signed a first-look feature film deal at Warner Bros; the filmmaker having made Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights at the studio.
“I’ve long admired Michael’s films and the successful companies he’s built. His sophisticated taste and endless curiosity about the stories he champions perfectly align with the vision I have for the Electric Somewhere Company. I’m thrilled that we’re finally teaming up to create purpose-driven spectacles for the largest screens, bringing joy to audiences around the world,” said Chu.
“Jon’s boundless talent as a top-tier storyteller...
- 5/7/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Ariana Grande says the first day on the set of 'Wicked' was one of the most "emotional" experiences of her life.The 30-year-old star plays Galinda the Good Witch in Jon M. Chu's upcoming two-part movie adaptation of the popular stage musical and recalled how she was moved to tears as she embraced the director and her co-star Cynthia Erivo for the first time.Speaking to Variety at the Met Gala on Monday (06.05.24) night, Ariana said: "My first day on set for 'Wicked' was the most emotional day of my life. All I remember was holding hands with Cynthia and Jon and crying. And (Jon) saying, 'Welcome to 'Wicked''."The 'We Can't Be Friends' singer forged a close bond with Erivo - who stars as fellow witch Elphaba - during their work on the project and it meant that chemistry between the pair came naturally.
- 5/7/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
While gliding across the Met Gala red carpet Monday night, Ariana Grande — dressed in a custom Loewe ball gown — stopped to discuss her first day on the set of “Wicked” with Variety‘s Marc Malkin.
“My first day on set for ‘Wicked’ was the most emotional day of my life,” Grande recalled. “All I remember was holding hands with Cynthia [Erivo] and Jon [Chu] and crying. And [Jon] saying, ‘Welcome to “Wicked.”‘”
Co-staring Erivo and Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, “Wicked” is the feature adaptation of Winnie Holzman’s 2003 Tony Award-winning musical. The film tells the story of the unlikely friendship between the soon-to-be Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the South, and how their lives change after encountering the great and powerful Wizard of Oz.
Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet Photos
Grande said the natural chemistry between her and Erivo blossomed from a powerful friendship they formed while shooting.
“My first day on set for ‘Wicked’ was the most emotional day of my life,” Grande recalled. “All I remember was holding hands with Cynthia [Erivo] and Jon [Chu] and crying. And [Jon] saying, ‘Welcome to “Wicked.”‘”
Co-staring Erivo and Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, “Wicked” is the feature adaptation of Winnie Holzman’s 2003 Tony Award-winning musical. The film tells the story of the unlikely friendship between the soon-to-be Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the South, and how their lives change after encountering the great and powerful Wizard of Oz.
Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet Photos
Grande said the natural chemistry between her and Erivo blossomed from a powerful friendship they formed while shooting.
- 5/7/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Citing safety concerns following escalating protests, USC announced today it has canceled the “main stage” commencement ceremony that had been planned for May 10 and will require tickets for people to attend any other commencement activities.
The university will continue to hold “dozens” of smaller commencement events, including the individual school ceremonies — such as that for the School of Cinematic Arts — in which graduates are announced and walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
“To ensure we host commencement activities and celebrate our graduates safely, we will be implementing additional security measures,” reads a message from the university. “These include ticketing of all commencement events taking place on May 8-11 and directing all campus access through specific points of entry.”
Details on the ticketing process were expected to be posted online by Tuesday.
The announcement came one day after nearly 100 people were arrested on campus following a daylong “occupation” by pro-Palestinian protesters in Alumni Park,...
The university will continue to hold “dozens” of smaller commencement events, including the individual school ceremonies — such as that for the School of Cinematic Arts — in which graduates are announced and walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
“To ensure we host commencement activities and celebrate our graduates safely, we will be implementing additional security measures,” reads a message from the university. “These include ticketing of all commencement events taking place on May 8-11 and directing all campus access through specific points of entry.”
Details on the ticketing process were expected to be posted online by Tuesday.
The announcement came one day after nearly 100 people were arrested on campus following a daylong “occupation” by pro-Palestinian protesters in Alumni Park,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
A musical stage adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians is under development, with Jon M. Chu set to direct.
The musical, which is being developed by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Kevin Kwan, features a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, music by Helen Park and lyrics by Amanda Green and Tat Tong. The production is aiming for Broadway, with a pre-Broadway engagement to be announced shortly.
This would mark the Great White Way debut for Chu, who directed the film version of Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, as well as the upcoming two-part film adaptation of Wicked.
Both the film and the original book trilogy by Kwan provide the basis for the stage adaptation. The plot follows an American named Rachel Chu who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick Young, for a wedding and finds out that he comes from a very wealthy family, which does not necessarily approve of her.
The musical, which is being developed by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Kevin Kwan, features a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, music by Helen Park and lyrics by Amanda Green and Tat Tong. The production is aiming for Broadway, with a pre-Broadway engagement to be announced shortly.
This would mark the Great White Way debut for Chu, who directed the film version of Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, as well as the upcoming two-part film adaptation of Wicked.
Both the film and the original book trilogy by Kwan provide the basis for the stage adaptation. The plot follows an American named Rachel Chu who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick Young, for a wedding and finds out that he comes from a very wealthy family, which does not necessarily approve of her.
- 4/17/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jon M. Chu says that "destiny" enabled him to cast Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in 'Wicked'.The 44-year-old filmmaker is helming the two-part film adaptation of the hit stage musical and is grateful to have the stars featuring in the roles of witches Elphaba and Glinda respectively.Speaking at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday (11.04.24), Jon said: "When you find those two, you know it's destiny."The 'Crazy Rich Asians' director explained how Cynthia, Ariana and himself have all incorporated "personal things" to add extra emotion to the film – the first part of which will be released in November with the second following in 2025.Chu said: "We've gone through so many emotional journeys together."The director explained how the musical has had a profound "impact" on his life as he went to see the show in San Francisco during his college days with his mother – who was undergoing chemotherapy at the time.
- 4/12/2024
- by Ayaan Ali
- Bang Showbiz
Less than 24 hours after unveiling exclusive Wicked footage in Las Vegas, filmmaker Jon M. Chu found his way into the spotlight of another CinemaCon stage inside Caesars Palace, this time for a special luncheon in his honor at which he revealed secrets about filming the two-part epic musical.
“It was pretty magical last night,” Chu told The Hollywood Reporter’s co-editor-in-chief Nekesa Mumbi Moody, who moderated a fireside chat with the filmmaker after he was presented a trophy for cultural impact in filmmaking (by his In the Heights star Ariana Greenblatt). Chu has been in the editing room while managing a full household of four young children, so he said that being in Las Vegas where he could sleep and hang out with others, “I’m, like, ‘Let’s go.’”
Chu, fresh from the Colosseum stage where he appeared during Universal Pictures’ slate presentation, opened up on the 30-minute Wicked...
“It was pretty magical last night,” Chu told The Hollywood Reporter’s co-editor-in-chief Nekesa Mumbi Moody, who moderated a fireside chat with the filmmaker after he was presented a trophy for cultural impact in filmmaking (by his In the Heights star Ariana Greenblatt). Chu has been in the editing room while managing a full household of four young children, so he said that being in Las Vegas where he could sleep and hang out with others, “I’m, like, ‘Let’s go.’”
Chu, fresh from the Colosseum stage where he appeared during Universal Pictures’ slate presentation, opened up on the 30-minute Wicked...
- 4/11/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jon M. Chu revealed it was “heartbreaking” and “very hurtful” for him when he learned his 2021 musical “In the Heights” was being released in theaters and on streaming via HBO Max on the same day.
Speaking to a crowd of exhibitors at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas on Thursday, Chu lamented the “Project Popcorn” campaign put in place by former Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar back in 2021, in which Warner Bros. took its entire theatrical slate for the year, including films like “In the Heights,” “Dune,” and “The Matrix Resurrections,” and put them in theaters and on streaming day-and-date, all as a means to drive subscribers to HBO Max.
When he was asked how “In the Heights” prepared him for thinking about his next film “Wicked,” another movie musical adaptation, this time for Universal, he said it made him realize the importance of theatrical.
“We would’ve made that choice early,...
Speaking to a crowd of exhibitors at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas on Thursday, Chu lamented the “Project Popcorn” campaign put in place by former Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar back in 2021, in which Warner Bros. took its entire theatrical slate for the year, including films like “In the Heights,” “Dune,” and “The Matrix Resurrections,” and put them in theaters and on streaming day-and-date, all as a means to drive subscribers to HBO Max.
When he was asked how “In the Heights” prepared him for thinking about his next film “Wicked,” another movie musical adaptation, this time for Universal, he said it made him realize the importance of theatrical.
“We would’ve made that choice early,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Brian Welk and Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Universal brought its CinemaCon presentation to a heartfelt finale in Las Vegas on Wednesday with a 30-minute segment dedicated to the glittering jewel of its 2024 release slate, Wicked.
Leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play the witches Elphaba and Glinda from the magical Land of Oz, introduced footage to the first part of Jon Chu’s Broadway adaptation, which recently wrapped production in London and is scheduled to open on November 27. The second instalment comes out on November 26, 2025.
Chu fought back tears as he joined the film’s producer Marc Platt, who won a Tony for the Broadway show,...
Leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play the witches Elphaba and Glinda from the magical Land of Oz, introduced footage to the first part of Jon Chu’s Broadway adaptation, which recently wrapped production in London and is scheduled to open on November 27. The second instalment comes out on November 26, 2025.
Chu fought back tears as he joined the film’s producer Marc Platt, who won a Tony for the Broadway show,...
- 4/11/2024
- ScreenDaily
Universal brought its CinemaCon presentation to a heartfelt finale in Las Vegas on Wednesday with a 30-minute segment dedicated to the glittering jewel of its 2024 release slate, Wicked.
Leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play the witches Elphaba and Glinda from the magical Land of Oz, introduced footage to the first part of Jon Chu’s Broadway adaptation, which recently wrapped production in London and is scheduled to open on November 27. The second instalment comes out on November 26, 2025.
Chu fought back tears as he joined the film’s producer Marc Platt, who won a Tony for the Broadway show,...
Leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play the witches Elphaba and Glinda from the magical Land of Oz, introduced footage to the first part of Jon Chu’s Broadway adaptation, which recently wrapped production in London and is scheduled to open on November 27. The second instalment comes out on November 26, 2025.
Chu fought back tears as he joined the film’s producer Marc Platt, who won a Tony for the Broadway show,...
- 4/11/2024
- ScreenDaily
Based on the book by Gregory Maguire, the hit Broadway stage musical "Wicked" opened on October 30, 2003, at the Gershwin Theatre, and has been running there ever since. It recently surpassed "Cats" to become the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history, although it has a long way to go to supplant "The Lion King" as the third-longest. The musical is a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," depicting the Wicked Witch of the West as a young green-skinned woman named Elphaba whose reputation has been wildly misunderstood. The show won three Tonys upon its release, and the accompanying soundtrack album won an Emmy. One might say that "Wicked" is very ... Popular.
The musical only runs about two hours and 30 minutes (with intermission), but that runtime hasn't stopped director Jon M. Chu from adapting "Wicked" into a massive, two-film epic. "Wicked: Part One" is due in theaters on November 27, 2024, while "Wicked: Part Two...
The musical only runs about two hours and 30 minutes (with intermission), but that runtime hasn't stopped director Jon M. Chu from adapting "Wicked" into a massive, two-film epic. "Wicked: Part One" is due in theaters on November 27, 2024, while "Wicked: Part Two...
- 4/11/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
There’s no place like CinemaCon for Universal to debut enchanting new footage for Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Wicked! On Wednesday, the studio dropped a house on the CinemaCon crowd at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, helping Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, to tell her side of a misunderstood story.
During Universal’s CinemaCon presentation, the studio surprised the crowd by activating lanyards and roses given out before the presentation. Like magic, the objects lit up, flashing different colors as the theater filled with music. When the Great and Powerful Oz showed up, the lights interacted with his entrance. Jeff Goldblum is Oz, and he took the stage to introduce the film. “I’ll be a ringtail flying monkey if that’s not the biggest flying cranium I’ve seen in my life,” Goldblum quipped about his character.
“I’ve been chased by dinosaurs, I...
During Universal’s CinemaCon presentation, the studio surprised the crowd by activating lanyards and roses given out before the presentation. Like magic, the objects lit up, flashing different colors as the theater filled with music. When the Great and Powerful Oz showed up, the lights interacted with his entrance. Jeff Goldblum is Oz, and he took the stage to introduce the film. “I’ll be a ringtail flying monkey if that’s not the biggest flying cranium I’ve seen in my life,” Goldblum quipped about his character.
“I’ve been chased by dinosaurs, I...
- 4/11/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
One year after debuting the first look of Wicked at CinemaCon, Universal Pictures brought members of the magical crew to Las Vegas on Wednesday to light up the festivities once again, with the team including filmmaker Jon M. Chu and his leading ladies, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who had the honor of introducing exclusive footage for theater owners.
It was an emotional presentation for the Wicked team as Chu was moved to tears as he recounted finding the two performers to topline the film, and later Grande also got choked up as well.
The electric presentation — which featured on stage remarks from cast members such as Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Chu and producer Marc Platt — was telegraphed from the start as Colosseum staffers handed out Wicked lanyards to attendees when they walked into the theater. Other staffers instructed guests to be careful with tulips placed...
It was an emotional presentation for the Wicked team as Chu was moved to tears as he recounted finding the two performers to topline the film, and later Grande also got choked up as well.
The electric presentation — which featured on stage remarks from cast members such as Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Chu and producer Marc Platt — was telegraphed from the start as Colosseum staffers handed out Wicked lanyards to attendees when they walked into the theater. Other staffers instructed guests to be careful with tulips placed...
- 4/11/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo traveled to Las Vegas for CinemaCon, the annual convention for movie theater owners.
Dressed in their character’s signature pink and green aesthetic, the Grammy-nominated artists graced the stage at Caesars Palace to hype up “Wicked,” the big-budget movie musical that’s due in theaters around Thanksgiving.
“We both felt such a tremendous responsibility to honor these women and to pour our hearts, our souls, our tears — so many different pairs of lashes,” said Grande, who requested to hold hands with her co-star on stage. Erivo added, “I’m really grateful for this journey that we’ve taken together.”
Though they didn’t sing (to the disappointment of many in the room), they introduced an extended featurette. Scored to “Popular” and “Defying Gravity,” the dazzling footage showcased the sweeping, brightly lit world and includes scenes of Elphaba roaming the halls of Shiz University...
Dressed in their character’s signature pink and green aesthetic, the Grammy-nominated artists graced the stage at Caesars Palace to hype up “Wicked,” the big-budget movie musical that’s due in theaters around Thanksgiving.
“We both felt such a tremendous responsibility to honor these women and to pour our hearts, our souls, our tears — so many different pairs of lashes,” said Grande, who requested to hold hands with her co-star on stage. Erivo added, “I’m really grateful for this journey that we’ve taken together.”
Though they didn’t sing (to the disappointment of many in the room), they introduced an extended featurette. Scored to “Popular” and “Defying Gravity,” the dazzling footage showcased the sweeping, brightly lit world and includes scenes of Elphaba roaming the halls of Shiz University...
- 4/11/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Universal’s upcoming adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked” showcased some additional footage at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, bringing down the house with a first look at Cynthia Erivo donning the iconic hat of the Wicked Witch.
Erivo joined director Jon M. Chu and the film’s cast, including costar Ariana Grande, at the event.
“I never could have fathomed that I would have the opportunity to play the Wicked Witch,” Erivo said. “We have performed this song publicly and privately for many years, and now here we are together, getting the chance to perform these songs for an audience around the world.”
The sneak peek showed sweeping shots of the colorful world of Oz, along with Elphaba and Glinda’s turbulent first days together at Shiz University, where they are training to be witches. Elphaba develops far faster than Glinda, showing incredible potential and gaining the attention of Madame Morrible,...
Erivo joined director Jon M. Chu and the film’s cast, including costar Ariana Grande, at the event.
“I never could have fathomed that I would have the opportunity to play the Wicked Witch,” Erivo said. “We have performed this song publicly and privately for many years, and now here we are together, getting the chance to perform these songs for an audience around the world.”
The sneak peek showed sweeping shots of the colorful world of Oz, along with Elphaba and Glinda’s turbulent first days together at Shiz University, where they are training to be witches. Elphaba develops far faster than Glinda, showing incredible potential and gaining the attention of Madame Morrible,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
Universal ended its CinemaCon presentation with Wicked last year, and they continued to beat the drum for director Jon M. Chu’s feature take of the Broadway musical with a colorful spectacle. Every attendee at Caesars Colosseum was given a faux tulip that lit up in varying colors, in particular pink and green, creating a great visual before Jeff Goldblum aka the Wizard took the stage to introduce Chu and producer Marc Platt.
Chu regaled: “I was a Silicon Valley kid, and as a matter of luck, I was there when Wicked was workshopped in San Francisco. I’ll never forget it; it imprinted on me permanently.”
He was joined by Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey. Yeoh praised Chu for casting her in roles in which the filmmaker “knows her so well.”
But the big surprise came when the witches themselves, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, stepped on stage.
Grande...
Chu regaled: “I was a Silicon Valley kid, and as a matter of luck, I was there when Wicked was workshopped in San Francisco. I’ll never forget it; it imprinted on me permanently.”
He was joined by Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey. Yeoh praised Chu for casting her in roles in which the filmmaker “knows her so well.”
But the big surprise came when the witches themselves, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, stepped on stage.
Grande...
- 4/11/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
For many around the world, there’s one name at the top of the action totem pole: Jackie Chan, and today marks his 70th birthday.
If you only know him as a goofy martial arts comedian from the Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon series, then consider this a wake up call. Because when Jackie did things His way on his home turf, he churned out some of the best action movies you’ll ever see.
Many would point to Drunken Master II as Jackie’s magnum opus. Fair enough, that is an all-timer, but for an example of his best modern day martial arts action, mixed in with some crime drama and his signature comedy, one of his absolute best outings is 1985’s Police Story.
In the 1970s, Jackie Chan soared to fame internationally once he was finally able to break out of the shadow of Bruce Lee. When Chan...
If you only know him as a goofy martial arts comedian from the Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon series, then consider this a wake up call. Because when Jackie did things His way on his home turf, he churned out some of the best action movies you’ll ever see.
Many would point to Drunken Master II as Jackie’s magnum opus. Fair enough, that is an all-timer, but for an example of his best modern day martial arts action, mixed in with some crime drama and his signature comedy, one of his absolute best outings is 1985’s Police Story.
In the 1970s, Jackie Chan soared to fame internationally once he was finally able to break out of the shadow of Bruce Lee. When Chan...
- 4/7/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
One year after Universal Pictures debuted the first look at footage from his upcoming two-part musical Wicked at CinemaCon, Jon M. Chu is heading back to Las Vegas for the National Association of Theater Owners’ official convention.
Chu will be the guest of honor at an annual filmmaker luncheon during which he will receive a cultural impact in filmmaking award for a “visionary approach to storytelling and his commitment to representing diverse voices and perspectives.” The Fathom-sponsored event, scheduled for April 11 in the Octavius Ballroom, will also feature a sit-down conversation with Chu.
The filmmaker luncheon will follow hot on the heels of Universal and Focus Features’ studio presentation on Wednesday at which the companies will present their upcoming slates. With Chu confirmed for the luncheon, it would not be a surprise to see him make a mark on the Colosseum main stage by presenting additional footage from Wicked ahead...
Chu will be the guest of honor at an annual filmmaker luncheon during which he will receive a cultural impact in filmmaking award for a “visionary approach to storytelling and his commitment to representing diverse voices and perspectives.” The Fathom-sponsored event, scheduled for April 11 in the Octavius Ballroom, will also feature a sit-down conversation with Chu.
The filmmaker luncheon will follow hot on the heels of Universal and Focus Features’ studio presentation on Wednesday at which the companies will present their upcoming slates. With Chu confirmed for the luncheon, it would not be a surprise to see him make a mark on the Colosseum main stage by presenting additional footage from Wicked ahead...
- 4/6/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The news of Hou Hsiao-hsien's retirement from filmmaking due to his battle with dementia shocked the cinema world, which seems to have lost one of its definite auteurs. As a small tribute to his timeless work we present a list of all his movies, with the exception of the two omnibuses he participated in 2007 (To Each His Own Cinema) and 2011 (10+10) which we hope to review later on, along with his yet unfinished last movie, “Shulan River”. Without further ado, here is a rundown of his movies, in chronological order.
1. Cute Girl (1980)
You should not ignore the importance of “Cute Girl” when it comes to introducing audiences to the kind of approach, thematically and aesthetically, that Hou would develop further in his next projects. As author Philip Kemp rightfully points out in his essay on the filmmaker's early works, concepts such as the contrast between rural and urban Taiwan or traditional family values,...
1. Cute Girl (1980)
You should not ignore the importance of “Cute Girl” when it comes to introducing audiences to the kind of approach, thematically and aesthetically, that Hou would develop further in his next projects. As author Philip Kemp rightfully points out in his essay on the filmmaker's early works, concepts such as the contrast between rural and urban Taiwan or traditional family values,...
- 4/4/2024
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
The Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament continued on Tuesday night (March 26) as three more former champions returned to the Alex Trebek Stage for another shot at glory. Arthur Chu, a writer originally from Cleveland, Ohio, who finished as 1st runner-up in the 2014 Tournament of Champions, faced off against 19-game champion David Madden and 2021 Tournament of Champions quarterfinalist MacKenzie Jones. Chu, who was once called Jeopardy!‘s “first villain,” led after the first round, standing at $6,400 to Madden’s $4,200 and Jones’ $2,200. However, things dramatically shifted in Double Jeopardy! thanks to two crucial Daily Doubles. Madden found the first Daily Double and added $5,000 to his total. Chu then found the second Daily Double and chose to wager a massive $10,000. He answered incorrectly, losing a considerable chunk of his earnings and giving Madden a runaway going into Final Jeopardy. Heading into Final Jeopardy, Madden stood at $18,400, while Chu had $5,600, and Jones trailed with $600. Even though...
- 3/27/2024
- TV Insider
"Wicked" began its life as a playful, lore-rich 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, which imagined deep backstories and complex relationships between the characters from "The Wizard of Oz." By Maguire's imagining, the green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West was merely misunderstood and marginalized. In 2003, lyricist Stephen Schwartz and dramatist Winnie Holzman adapted Maguire's novel into a Broadway musical that almost instantly became a runaway hit. "Wicked" won three Tonys, and had since set up camp on Broadway, becoming one of the longest-running shows in the history of the Great White Way. As of this writing, "Wicked" has surpassed "Cats" in number of performances.
Due in theaters on November 27, 2024, is the first part of a massive two-film adaptation of "Wicked" directed by the venerable Jon M. Chu. Although the stage version of "Wicked" only runs about two and a half hours, Chu has elected to expand it into a "Dune"-sized event,...
Due in theaters on November 27, 2024, is the first part of a massive two-film adaptation of "Wicked" directed by the venerable Jon M. Chu. Although the stage version of "Wicked" only runs about two and a half hours, Chu has elected to expand it into a "Dune"-sized event,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
As we mentioned in the reviews of the previous two seasons, the focus turned almost completely to action, leaving the political as a footnote, in an approach that somewhat detracted from the quality of the narrative, although the action definitely compensated. For the fourth season, however, the political, and particularly the clash between Zheng and Lu Buwei takes center stage, eventually involving the Dowager Mother, in what eventually becomes the biggest threat the former has faced thus far.
on Crunchyroll
by clicking on the image below
Following the conclusion of the large-scale coalition campaign, the entirety of China is in a state of economic turmoil, with the expenses of the war laying heavily on them, and a number of protagonists of the losing side, having been sidelined or even killed for their failure, with Li Mu being one of first category. The state of Qin, despite winning the war,...
on Crunchyroll
by clicking on the image below
Following the conclusion of the large-scale coalition campaign, the entirety of China is in a state of economic turmoil, with the expenses of the war laying heavily on them, and a number of protagonists of the losing side, having been sidelined or even killed for their failure, with Li Mu being one of first category. The state of Qin, despite winning the war,...
- 3/1/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Almost four years have gone by since it was announced that Cj Enm, the production company behind Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite, was teaming with Ari Aster’s Square Peg to produce an English language remake of the 2003 South Korean cult film Save the Green Planet. The original film was directed by Joon-hwan Jang, and at the time it was said that Jang would be at the helm of the new take on the concept as well. But now Variety reports that the project has a new director: Yorgos Lanthimos, whose film Poor Things is nominated for 11 Oscars and just won five BAFTAs. With Lanthimos signed on, the Save the Green Planet remake is now expected to head into production this summer, with filming locations in New York and the U.K.
Described as an eccentric black comedy, the original Save the Green Planet followed a disillusioned young man who...
Described as an eccentric black comedy, the original Save the Green Planet followed a disillusioned young man who...
- 2/19/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Update: As we predicted, Emma Stone will reunite with Yorgo Lanthimos for the film in a supporting role, Variety reports.
Following up Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos already has another film in the can with Poor Things“>Kind of Kindness, and now he’s already set his next feature. The Greek filmmaker will be helming an English-language remake of the Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet, backed by Ari Aster’s Square Peg, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe at Element Pictures, and Cj Enm, Variety reports.
The 2003 original, directed by Joon-hwan Jang (who was originally attached to helm this new version), is a black comedy meets sci-fi thriller. Lanthimos’ version, based on a script by Will Tracy (Succession), will kick off production in U.K. and New York this summer, so we can expect a 2025 release, which would mark three consecutive features from the director in a row. Although no casting has been confirmed yet,...
Following up Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos already has another film in the can with Poor Things“>Kind of Kindness, and now he’s already set his next feature. The Greek filmmaker will be helming an English-language remake of the Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet, backed by Ari Aster’s Square Peg, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe at Element Pictures, and Cj Enm, Variety reports.
The 2003 original, directed by Joon-hwan Jang (who was originally attached to helm this new version), is a black comedy meets sci-fi thriller. Lanthimos’ version, based on a script by Will Tracy (Succession), will kick off production in U.K. and New York this summer, so we can expect a 2025 release, which would mark three consecutive features from the director in a row. Although no casting has been confirmed yet,...
- 2/19/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
It’s going to be popular.
During Sunday’s Super Bowl, Universal debuted the first trailer for the studio’s two-part adaptation of the musical “Wicked” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The film, from director Jon M. Chu, is due out in theaters on November 27. Part Two of the series comes out a year later, on November 26, 2025.
Here’s the lengthy synopsis of “Wicked” provided by the studio.
“After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda,...
During Sunday’s Super Bowl, Universal debuted the first trailer for the studio’s two-part adaptation of the musical “Wicked” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The film, from director Jon M. Chu, is due out in theaters on November 27. Part Two of the series comes out a year later, on November 26, 2025.
Here’s the lengthy synopsis of “Wicked” provided by the studio.
“After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda,...
- 2/12/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Something wicked this way comes on Super Bowl Sunday. The first trailer for Wicked arrived, with the trailer showing off part one of a two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba in the film, which hails from Jon M. Chu. The rest of the cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Marissa Bode, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Adam James and Bowen Yang.
Wicked is due out Nov. 27; Disney recently dated a Moana sequel for the same day. Wicked is an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, which was inspired by Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel retelling The Wizard of Oz, which he published as Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Marc Platt and David Stone, who are producing the film, brought it to the stage when it debuted in 2003. It went on to become the No.
Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba in the film, which hails from Jon M. Chu. The rest of the cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Marissa Bode, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Adam James and Bowen Yang.
Wicked is due out Nov. 27; Disney recently dated a Moana sequel for the same day. Wicked is an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, which was inspired by Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel retelling The Wizard of Oz, which he published as Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Marc Platt and David Stone, who are producing the film, brought it to the stage when it debuted in 2003. It went on to become the No.
- 2/11/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ding dong! The wicked witch is alive and well in the first trailer for “Wicked.”
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are a vision in green and pink as they grace the fantastical land of Oz in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming movie musical. And the first look at the film, which debuted during the Super Bowl on Sunday, unfolds to the familiar strains of “Defying Gravity,” the show’s signature anthem.
“Don’t be afraid,” Grande’s Glinda reassures Erivo’s Elphaba.
“I’m not afraid,” Erivo responds, steely voiced. “It’s the Wizard who should be afraid of me.”
This is clearly a different Oz than the one that Dorthy Gale encountered. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel that inspired Broadway’s acclaimed musical of the same name, “Wicked” precedes Dorothy’s arrival in the magical world and tells the legend of world and the story behind Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are a vision in green and pink as they grace the fantastical land of Oz in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming movie musical. And the first look at the film, which debuted during the Super Bowl on Sunday, unfolds to the familiar strains of “Defying Gravity,” the show’s signature anthem.
“Don’t be afraid,” Grande’s Glinda reassures Erivo’s Elphaba.
“I’m not afraid,” Erivo responds, steely voiced. “It’s the Wizard who should be afraid of me.”
This is clearly a different Oz than the one that Dorthy Gale encountered. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel that inspired Broadway’s acclaimed musical of the same name, “Wicked” precedes Dorothy’s arrival in the magical world and tells the legend of world and the story behind Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
- 2/11/2024
- by Sophia Scorziello and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in WickedScreenshot: Universal Pictures
No good deed goes unpunished and Jon M. Chu’s Wicked may as well have been green from the beginning. Even though fans have hotly anticipated this movie for over a decade now (seriously... we can’t stress enough just how...
No good deed goes unpunished and Jon M. Chu’s Wicked may as well have been green from the beginning. Even though fans have hotly anticipated this movie for over a decade now (seriously... we can’t stress enough just how...
- 2/11/2024
- by Emma Keates
- avclub.com
Vocal legends Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are in the ultimate sing-off as friends-turned-enemies in the highly anticipated big screen adaptation of Broadway’s “Wicked.”
Grande and Erivo play two witches, Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West), duking it out over love (Jonathan Bailey) and political upheaval in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard himself (Jeff Goldblum). “In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu helms the epic two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman.
The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“Wicked” will open in two parts, with respective December 24 releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one ‘Wicked’ movie but two! With more space,...
Grande and Erivo play two witches, Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West), duking it out over love (Jonathan Bailey) and political upheaval in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard himself (Jeff Goldblum). “In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu helms the epic two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman.
The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“Wicked” will open in two parts, with respective December 24 releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one ‘Wicked’ movie but two! With more space,...
- 2/11/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Hollywood has been wanting to turn Stephen Schwartz's smash hit musical "Wicked" into a movie for well over 10 years. I remember reading news stories about potential directors as far back as 2010, long before "In the Heights" filmmaker Jon M. Chu eventually signed on to bring this "Wizard of Oz" prequel story to the big screen. Now Universal Pictures has finally released the first trailer for the film, which is set long before Dorothy crashes her way into the Land of Oz. The adaptation of the beloved musical follows the doomed friendship between two witches: Galinda, the eventual Good Witch of the South (played here by pop superstar Ariana Grande), and the green-skinned Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West (played by Broadway veteran and actor Cynthia Erivo).
If this trailer is any indication, it looks like the years-long wait may have been worth it: Chu and his team...
If this trailer is any indication, it looks like the years-long wait may have been worth it: Chu and his team...
- 2/11/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Whereas his early films such as “Pushing Hands” and “The Wedding Banquet” often touch upon the crossroads between modernity and tradition, Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee found himself in a similar situation with his third film. As he reflects upon the production of his 1994 “Eat Drink Man Woman”, he describes how he felt the pressure between going mainstream with his movies or making an arthouse film, especially after winning the Golden Bear at Berlin International Film Festival for “The Wedding Banquet”. Considering this situation, it seems only fitting he would make a film which would not only pick up the thematic threads of his previous ones, but which would also discuss these issues within the circle of the family, their relationships and, of course, the world of cooking.
Eat Drink Man Woman is screening at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema
Even though he has been planning to settle down...
Eat Drink Man Woman is screening at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema
Even though he has been planning to settle down...
- 2/11/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The Wicked movie musical has wrapped principal photography and Ariana Grande is marking the moment by sharing her gratitude.
In a post on her Instagram Stories, the “Yes, And?” singer acknowledged the crew behind the film after principal photography was completed.
“This was a wildly large production with so many brilliant human beings who worked so, so hard in every department,” she wrote. “Every single person that worked on these films was not only the absolute best at what they do but made every single day for over a year feel so incredibly safe … kind and thoughtful and inspired every day as if it were always the first.”
Grande is set to play Glinda in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, which was broken into two parts with the first part set to be released Nov. 27 of this year.
“How something so much bigger than all of us could...
In a post on her Instagram Stories, the “Yes, And?” singer acknowledged the crew behind the film after principal photography was completed.
“This was a wildly large production with so many brilliant human beings who worked so, so hard in every department,” she wrote. “Every single person that worked on these films was not only the absolute best at what they do but made every single day for over a year feel so incredibly safe … kind and thoughtful and inspired every day as if it were always the first.”
Grande is set to play Glinda in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, which was broken into two parts with the first part set to be released Nov. 27 of this year.
“How something so much bigger than all of us could...
- 1/28/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Ariana Grande has officially finished shooting the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, and it’s safe to say it was a memorable chapter for her.
The singer-actress reposted a message from director Jon M. Chu on her Instagram Stories on Thursday, which read, “Will never forget my year with our Galinda. Can’t wait for you to meet her. Thank you @arianagrande for pouring your heart into Oz.”
Grande added her own heartfelt response to the post, writing, “I will never forget even a minute of my year(s) with her either. Or you. Or my Cyn [Cynthia Erivo]. Permanently and preferably intertwined. I am so inexplicably thankful that we got to add so many soggy eyelashes to the collection @jonmchu.”
She continued, “There aren’t words quite yet. But. Thank you, Jon, for leading the way with such compassion, openness, brilliance and kindness. I have never seen...
The singer-actress reposted a message from director Jon M. Chu on her Instagram Stories on Thursday, which read, “Will never forget my year with our Galinda. Can’t wait for you to meet her. Thank you @arianagrande for pouring your heart into Oz.”
Grande added her own heartfelt response to the post, writing, “I will never forget even a minute of my year(s) with her either. Or you. Or my Cyn [Cynthia Erivo]. Permanently and preferably intertwined. I am so inexplicably thankful that we got to add so many soggy eyelashes to the collection @jonmchu.”
She continued, “There aren’t words quite yet. But. Thank you, Jon, for leading the way with such compassion, openness, brilliance and kindness. I have never seen...
- 1/26/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michelle Yeoh might not have done “Wicked” if it weren’t for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Speaking with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” Wednesday, the “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Oscar winner said that it was the two movie musical’s stars that convinced her to join the anticipated Jon M. Chu project.
“It’s imperative that you come and join us,” Yeoh recalled the two of them telling her on a video call with Chu.
Yeoh began the story by remembering when Chu, whom she worked with on “Crazy Rich Asians,” asked her to read the script.
“I did ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ with him. He is brilliant. He really is truly brilliant. So I’m like, ‘For you? Yeah! Send me the script!’” Yeoh recalled. “I read the script, I call him up. I’m like, ‘Jon, you realize she sings, right?’”
When Fallon joked that he...
Speaking with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” Wednesday, the “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Oscar winner said that it was the two movie musical’s stars that convinced her to join the anticipated Jon M. Chu project.
“It’s imperative that you come and join us,” Yeoh recalled the two of them telling her on a video call with Chu.
Yeoh began the story by remembering when Chu, whom she worked with on “Crazy Rich Asians,” asked her to read the script.
“I did ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ with him. He is brilliant. He really is truly brilliant. So I’m like, ‘For you? Yeah! Send me the script!’” Yeoh recalled. “I read the script, I call him up. I’m like, ‘Jon, you realize she sings, right?’”
When Fallon joked that he...
- 1/25/2024
- by Francie Ebert
- The Wrap
Warner Bros continues its quest to bring high-profile filmmakers firmly into the fold with Jon M Chu solidifying his commitment to the studio.
Warner Bros must be on the mother of all charm offensives at the moment. Just a couple of weeks ago we heard that the studio had managed to sign none other than Tom Cruise up to a development deal at the studio, an announcement that drew in lots of eyeballs and heralded Warner’s intentions to once again become the destination for major filmmakers.
Ever since Christopher Nolan publicly rebuked the studio and dissolved his long-running partnership with it, Warner Bros has struggled (and perhaps still is struggling) with its reputation. However, the Cruise deal was a splashy statement of intent (even if it isn’t a first-look deal) and there’s also talk of Ryan Coogler taking his highly-coveted vampire project there. Paul Thomas Anderson is...
Warner Bros must be on the mother of all charm offensives at the moment. Just a couple of weeks ago we heard that the studio had managed to sign none other than Tom Cruise up to a development deal at the studio, an announcement that drew in lots of eyeballs and heralded Warner’s intentions to once again become the destination for major filmmakers.
Ever since Christopher Nolan publicly rebuked the studio and dissolved his long-running partnership with it, Warner Bros has struggled (and perhaps still is struggling) with its reputation. However, the Cruise deal was a splashy statement of intent (even if it isn’t a first-look deal) and there’s also talk of Ryan Coogler taking his highly-coveted vampire project there. Paul Thomas Anderson is...
- 1/25/2024
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
After two short features, Taiwanese-born director Ang Lee made “Pushing Hands”, which not only marked the beginning of what would later be known as the “Father Knows Best”-trilogy, but also the foundation of what would define him as a filmmaker. It is also the first collaboration with esteemed actor Sihung Lung, who would revisit the role of the family father in “The Wedding Banquet” and “Eat Drink Man Woman”, as well as work with Lee on his “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. “Pushing Hands” refers to a tai chi-routine Lung's character goes through every morning and teaches to his students, which is supposed to be a defense against brute force, which you can see in some scenes in the movie. At the same time, we are introduced to what would be Lee's career-defining themes, most importantly the conflict of tradition and modernity as well as the differences between cultures, in...
- 12/11/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Taiwan-Japan documentary After the Snowmelt and Filipino fantasy feature Mother Maybe were presented with the Taicca X Cnc Awards at the close of the pitching forum at Taiwan Creative Content Fest (Tccf). Both awards came with a cash prize of $30,000.
Organized by Taiwan Creative Content Agency (Taicca), Tccf’s Pitching event handed out awards worth nearly $200,000. Taicca chairperson Homme Tsai said this was possible as the agency had “actively collaborated with South Korea, France, Japan and the three major telecommunications companies in Taiwan. Our goal is to provide creators with more funding while seeking additional international collaboration opportunities.”
Initially, the event had planned to only hand out one Taicca X Cnc Award, in partnership with French national film agency Cnc, but announced at the end of the ceremony that, due to the high quality of submissions, it would hand out two awards.
Taiwan-Japan co-production After The Snowmelt is a tribute...
Organized by Taiwan Creative Content Agency (Taicca), Tccf’s Pitching event handed out awards worth nearly $200,000. Taicca chairperson Homme Tsai said this was possible as the agency had “actively collaborated with South Korea, France, Japan and the three major telecommunications companies in Taiwan. Our goal is to provide creators with more funding while seeking additional international collaboration opportunities.”
Initially, the event had planned to only hand out one Taicca X Cnc Award, in partnership with French national film agency Cnc, but announced at the end of the ceremony that, due to the high quality of submissions, it would hand out two awards.
Taiwan-Japan co-production After The Snowmelt is a tribute...
- 11/10/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Jon M. Chu's 2018 romantic comedy "Crazy Rich Asians" -- based on the novel by Kevin Kwan -- was a massive, massive hit. Made for only $30 million, Chu's lightweight puffball grossed $239 million worldwide. It follows the adventures of a young economics professor named Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) who has been enjoying her romantic relationship with the dash-handsome Nick Young (Henry Golding). Nick is called back to his home country of Singapore to attend a wedding, and Rachel is reluctantly invited along. Reluctantly, because Nick has been trying to keep his vast wealth hidden from Rachel. It seems his family is practically royalty in Singapore, inviting new conversations about honesty and their inescapable class divide into their relationship. Also, Nick's family doesn't necessarily approve of a middle-class woman dating one of their own, and some of them accuse Rachel of being a golddigger.
Oh yes, and Nick fully intends to...
Oh yes, and Nick fully intends to...
- 10/15/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
There’s a shakeup at Condé Nast Entertainment.
Agnes Chu, who was President of the nascent division of the publishing company, is exiting as part of a restructure. The news was revealed this morning in a memo from Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch.
Lynch said that it is moving its editorial teams into a new structure. “As part of these changes Agnes Chu will be leaving the company at the end of this month and I want to thank her for her many accomplishments with us. From building up our film, television and entertainment business with over 70 projects in development and ten projects in production, to helping grow our digital video audience to a projected 20B annual video views, she has been a valued member of our leadership team these last three years,” he wrote.
Condé Nast Entertainment has been involved in projects such as FX/Hulu’s Secrets of Hillsong,...
Agnes Chu, who was President of the nascent division of the publishing company, is exiting as part of a restructure. The news was revealed this morning in a memo from Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch.
Lynch said that it is moving its editorial teams into a new structure. “As part of these changes Agnes Chu will be leaving the company at the end of this month and I want to thank her for her many accomplishments with us. From building up our film, television and entertainment business with over 70 projects in development and ten projects in production, to helping grow our digital video audience to a projected 20B annual video views, she has been a valued member of our leadership team these last three years,” he wrote.
Condé Nast Entertainment has been involved in projects such as FX/Hulu’s Secrets of Hillsong,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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