Wicked: Part One is an upcoming musical fantasy film that will be shot by Jon M. Chu. The movie is the first part of the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical *Wicked* which was turned into a musical based from Gregory Maguire’s novel published in 1995 and the characters of L. Frank Baum’s *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz*. The main cast list of the movie includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda and an equally amazing ensemble cast of Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Peter Dinklage.
Plot Overview
Wicked, based in Land of Oz, tells a pre-story of the favorite big bad witch of all children – Elphaba – the wicked witch of the west. It tells about her troubled position in the land of Oz, uncomprehending of which she is green-skinned, her friendship with Galinda (later, Glinda the Good), and the circumstances ov her becoming Wicked Witch. This adaptation appears to be more profound as it is going to focus on the early life of these characters and hence, giving the tale an additional dimension that people know through *The Wizard of Oz*.
Cast and Characters
Elphaba Thropp, a rebellious young woman outcast and later the_wicked Witch of the West played by Cynthia Erivo.
Lindsay Lohan as Galinda Upland, and changes her life, and becomes Glinda the Good.
Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, she is the Headmistress of Shiz University.
The characters in the play are; Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Jonathan Bailey Winkie prince, Fiyero Tigelaar.
Peter Dinklage who has the vocal role of the character Doctor Dillamond; a professor at Shiz University.
Production History
Perhaps the longest and difficult process of turning *Wicked* into a movie. The film was green-lit by Universal Pictures in 2012, and there were many production and release date shifts because of different circumstances, such as the Covid-pandemic. Jon M. Chu was hired to direct the movie and principal photography started in December 2022. However, due to the SAG-AFTRA strike in the year 2023 shooting was halted and the shooting finally came to an end in early 2024.
Cinematic Approach
To stay true to the stage musical and branch out at the same time, Jon M. Chu has done the following: The potential of dividing the original story into two movies has a positive effect on the development of characters and narration. Due to the incredible sets and practical effects, the movie was filmed with the real Yellow Brick Road and nine million tulips for the Munchkinland shooting. The idea of tangibles also extends into the musical numbers, which have live on-set singing in the actors’ voices.
Anticipation and Release
Wicked: Part one receives a warm welcome from the audiences who are well conversant with the theatre musical and the one’s who watch the show. It is expected that the first half of the movie will be released in the United States by 22 November, 2024 whereas the second half is again expected to be out by 26 November, 2025.. As for *Wicked*, it has all the ingredients for a spectacular movie thanks to its excellent cast, its sets, and costumes, and its rigorous adaptation of the book.
Post-Production and Visual Effects
The post-production of *Wicked (Part One)* has witnessed technology being on preeminence, with Industrial Light & Magic and Framestore coming into play visual effects. It is coordinated by the Pablo Helman so the elements of fantasy in Oz are implemented as accurate as possible. Chu, the director, has collaborated with editor Myron Kerstein with best practice Apple Vision Pro for the remote editing, which is the best amalgamation of technicality and creativity.
Musical Mastery
The music by John Powell is also provided as one of the strong assets since he wrote an expansive incidental music that might match the movie’s scope. Here, these orchestrations are new ones by Jeff Atmajian Atmajian have replaced some parts and incorporated perks more musicians to the band than in the original stage orchestration that was twenty-three strong while this mega band offers dozens, we’ve swollen to eighty pieces! Audio performances of the songs recorded with conductor Stephen Oremus and Powell at AIR Studios, London, bring the fans a visual experience and impressive elements based on the stage show but with fresher ideas.
Strategic Marketing
Presently, Wicked has been marketed with elements of the tease and blockbuster marketing campaigns. Cynthia Erivo’s still of Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda received much attention as did screenings of Wicked-in-progress exhibited at CinemaCon. The movie and its marketing began a marketing campaign with a Super Bowl trailer and followed up with displays at multiple industry conventions, large and small. Promotional tactics going seriously from the behind- the- scenes featurette, licensed merchandise, to tie- ins with international companies, *Wicked* has been positioning itself for a certain cultural phenomenon upon its opening.
Marketing Release Strategy and Positioning
In developing the plot, it is important that one must take note that *Wicked* was planned to be one film, but was later divided into two to allow elaboration of details. The first part is planned for November 22, 2024, format options are RealD 3D, IMAX, and Dolby Cinema. The release date was shifted to non-overlap with huge films such as *Avatar 3* and*Mona 2*; *Wicked* was set against *Gladiator II*, in the stylized similar ‘Barbenheimer’ fashion. This special positioning in the market can give rise to the same type of cultural interaction as in the case of optimised product.
Early Reception and Anticipation
Wicked has received a lot of attention and expectations as early as the preparation of the film particularly in the categories of “Most Anticipanted Movie” at different awards. This way, such combination of the known musical and unique filming approach has placed the film under the category of event movies. Continuing expectations are rising, meaning people hint that *Wicked* will be a cinematic experience of the year.
Conclusion
Wicked: Part One focuses to retell a story that people have come to know with an endearing goal of paying tribute to the Broadway production. With Jon M. Chu as its director and the cast, fans of this adaptation have high expectations: the movie will be both visually and emotionally appealing and will open new possibilities for the development of the Oz country.
