‘Wicked’ Movie Trailer Premieres During Super Bowl LVIII, Marking a Cinematic Milestone
The Super Bowl LVIII broadcast was not just a spectacle of sports but also marked a significant moment for musical theatre and film enthusiasts with the premiere of the first official trailer for the ‘Wicked’ movies. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the trailer offers a spellbinding preview of the adaptation of the beloved Broadway and West End musical, set to unfold in two separate film releases, with the first anticipated in November 2024.
This cinematic rendition of ‘Wicked’ draws from Gregory Maguire’s novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,’ narrating the tale of two unlikely friends at university in the land of Oz. Their journey leads one to become Glinda The Good and the other, the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. The project sees the original ‘Wicked’ writers, Winnie Holzman (book) and Stephen Schwartz (score), joining forces once again to pen the screenplay, promising a faithful and dynamic translation of the story from stage to screen.
The trailer, revealed during the Super Bowl, captivated audiences with its lush visuals and iconic moments, including Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It teased Cynthia Erivo’s powerful performance of ‘Defying Gravity,’ alongside memorable lines that underscore the film’s narrative. Directed by Jon M. Chu, ‘Wicked’ promises to be a cinematic event, bridging the magic of the original musical with the expansive possibilities of film storytelling.
As the Broadway production celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023, and its West End counterpart continues to enchant audiences in its 18th year, ‘Wicked’ remains a global phenomenon. With over 11 million people having experienced the magic of ‘Wicked’ in the West End alone and a UK tour launched in late 2023, the anticipation for its cinematic adaptation has never been higher. Fans and newcomers alike are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to experience the untold stories of Oz’s most iconic characters in a new light, as the first installment of the ‘Wicked’ film series approaches its release.
