Universal Pictures’ upcoming Wicked film adaptation has found its stars in pop superstar Ariana Grande and Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award winner Cynthia Erivo.
Erivo is set to play Elphaba in the film, while Grande will play Glinda. The duo are unlikely friends with Elphaba being the Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda later becoming Glinda the Good Witch. The film adaptation of the Broadway play will be directed by Jon M. Chu of Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights fame.
Goooood Newwwws!!! The incredible #CynthiaErivo and @ArianaGrande will be our Elphaba and Galinda in @WickedMovie @UniversalPics Get ready for a match up like you’ve never seen!!! In pink and green!!! pic.twitter.com/t1eH82mCe7
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) November 5, 2021
Production on the film is set to start in summer 2022. The film adaptation will be produced by Marc Platt through his Universal-based Marc Platt Productions. Senior Executive Vice President of Production, Erik Baiers and Vice President of Production Development Lexi Barta will oversee the project on behalf of Universal Pictures.
The stage musical of Wicked has won three Tony awards and is adapted from Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel by book writer Winnie Holzman and three-time Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Holzman and Schwartz are currently collaborating on the screenplay adaptation.
