Current:Home > reviewsAriana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos -EliteFunds
Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos
Charles H. Sloan View
Date:2025-04-09 21:45:00
This cast is already quite popular.
The first official photos of Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, and more stars on the set of the upcoming Wicked film were just released by Vanity Fair—and they'll make fans of the iconic Broadway production defy gravity with excitement.
For the "yes and?" singer, who transforms into the pink bubbly Glinda the Good Witch in the new pictures, the preparation for the role has been a lifetime in the making.
"It was literally 10 years of being like, ‘Knock, knock, any developments?'" Ariana joked to Vanity Fair in the first look published March 21. "‘Is there an audition coming this year, or next year? I would like to start preparing today.'"
Meanwhile, Cynthia, who plays the protagonist Elphaba, was one of the last actresses brought in to audition for the character later known as The Wicked Witch of the West.
And while she admitted she didn't think she'd be "seen," once the film's director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt (who also produced the original Broadway musical) saw her audition, they knew they'd found their lead, adding, "We're like, ‘We're done.'"
As a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, Wicked—based on the 1995 book—gives the backstory of the unlikely friendship between Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. And as the film's leads, Ariana and Cynthia were able to forge a strong bond.
"I just need to say that I don't think people realize that she's got the chops," Cynthia told Vanity Fair of Ariana. "I don't think people realize how brilliant this person's brain and voice and talent is."
Meanwhile, the Grammy winner was quick to return the compliment, noting of the Harriet star, "She's my favorite female voice."
And while Platt had originally thought of casting unknowns for the highly-anticipated project, the upcoming Broadway adaptation—set to release in November—is one of the most star-studded musical movie productions of the last few years. And with Cynthia and Ariana's vocal power, Chu seems to believe the right casting decisions were made.
"These are live vocals," Chu added to the outlet. "Those girls were like, ‘F--k the pre-records. We're going live.'"
In addition to Ariana, Cynthia, and Ethan—who earned a Tony nomination for his performance as Spongebob Squarepants on Broadway—the cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and even Saturday Night Live's Bowen Yang.
Read on to see all the new Wicked cast photos.
Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.
Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard and Michelle Yeoh as his colleague, Madame Morrible.
Jonathan Bailey as hearthob prince Fiyero.
Ariana told Vanity Fair that nabbing her Glinda role was "10 years" in the making.
Meanwhile, Cynthia said she trained "like a boxer" for her role.
Jeff is the not-so-wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Madam Morrible is the headmistress of Shiz University.
Marisa Bode (Nessarose), Ethan Slater (Boq) Bowen Yang (Pfannee), and Bronwyn James (ShenShen) round out the cast.
Wicked is set to hit theaters on November 27, 2024.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (2)
Related
- Small twin
- Tom Hanks alleges dental company used AI version of him for ad: 'Beware!!'
- Pro-Russia hackers claim responsibility for crashing British royal family's website
- Government sues Union Pacific over using flawed test to disqualify color blind railroad workers
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Armenian exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh ebbs as Azerbaijan moves to reaffirm control
- You Don't Wanna Wait to Revisit Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson's Private Marriage
- All We Want for Christmas Is to Go to Mariah Carey's New Tour: All the Concert Details
- What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
- Scientists say 6,200-year-old shoes found in cave challenge simplistic assumptions about early humans
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Congress didn’t include funds for Ukraine in its spending bill. How will that affect the war?
- Simone Biles inspires millions of girls. Now one is going to worlds with her
- New Maryland law lifts civil statute of limitations for all child sex abuse claims
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Tom Hanks alleges dental company used AI version of him for ad: 'Beware!!'
- Years of research laid the groundwork for speedy COVID-19 shots
- Search resumes for missing 9-year-old girl who vanished during camping trip in upstate New York park
Recommendation
Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
Beyoncé Announces Renaissance World Tour Film: See the Buzz-Worthy Trailer
Jamie Lee Curtis Commends Pamela Anderson for Going Makeup-Free at Paris Fashion Week
New video of WWII aircraft carrier lost in Battle of Midway haunts 2 remaining U.S. survivors: I loved that ship
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Beyoncé Announces Renaissance World Tour Film: See the Buzz-Worthy Trailer
32 things we learned in NFL Week 4: 49ers standing above rest of the competition
'A bunch of hicks': Police chief suspended after controversial raid on Kansas newspaper