Like a seed dropped by a skybird, “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and director Jon M. Chu returned (presumably by bubble) to Las Vegas for CinemaCon, the annual convention for movie theater owners.
The Oscar-nominated duo, each donning striking all-black outfits, introduced the first-ever look at “Wicked: For Good,” which chronicles the second act of the long-running Broadway sensation. Grande and Erivo didn’t sing live as their signature characters — the perky, pink-loving Glinda and green-skinned Elphaba — but audiences got to hear their soaring takes on second act favorites like “For Good” and “No Good Deed.”
Set before, during and after the events of “The Wizard of Oz,” the musical recounts the origin story of Grande’s Glinda (later known as Glinda the Good) and Erivo’s Elphaba (eventually dubbed the Wicked Witch of the West) before Dorothy landed in Oz and sauntered down the Yellow Brick Road. In “Part One,” Glinda and Elphaba meet at Shiz University, where they are forced to be roommates and eventually become besties. “For Good” picks up after Elphaba is fully in control of her powers and has been declared an enemy of the state by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). “Wicked 2” flies into theaters on Nov. 22.
“This movie takes us past the point where the girl in the blue gingham dress from Kansas drops in,” Chu teases in reference to the one and only Dorothy Gale.
In the dazzling trailer, which hasn’t been revealed to the public, Elphaba is studying up on the sacred text known as the Grimmerie, while Glinda can be seen adjusting her crown as she’s taken under the wing of the Wizard and Madame Morrible.
“The Wicked Witch can’t ignore us forever,” Morrible growls. Earlier in the footage, Grande warns her pal: “Elphaba, they’re coming for you.”
The footage also featured glimpses at Glinda and Fiyero’s splashy wedding, those terrifying flying monkeys, as well as the iconic shot of Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion arriving in Oz and presenting themselves in front of the wonderful wizard.
External forces may have torn them apart as the two witches grapple with the consequences of their choices. But, as the trailer reveals, nothing has broken the sisterhood between the enemies-turned-friends-turned-sorta-enemies again.
“You’re the only friend I’ve ever had,” Elphaba admits to Glinda.
“And I’ve had so many friends,” Glinda replies. “But you’re the only one that mattered.”
Movie theater owners in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, where the trade show is held, were thrilled by the sneak peek of “Wicked: For Good.” After all, the first film generated $744 million globally to stand as the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in history. In addition to box office riches, the musical adaptation was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including best picture, actress for Erivo and supporting actress for Grande.
“It’s been quite a year since we joined you here last time, and we cannot thank you enough for all of your support,” Grande told the room of exhibitors. Erivo added, “And we get to do it all again.”
“Wicked” producer Marc Platt said the popularity of the movie adaptation has actually boosted interest in the stage show. “You should know, ‘Wicked,’ in its 22nd year on Broadway, is having its best year and highest grosses ever,” he said.
Universal’s president of domestic distribution, Jim Orr, told the crowd that it’s been “overwhelming” to watch “Wicked” become a global theatrical phenomenon. “I’ve literally never had more people reach out with their emotional reactions to a film.”
