Posted in: Movies, Universal | Tagged: wicked

Wicked Olympics Spot Teases That Something Is Very Wrong In Oz

Universal has released a new Wicked TV spot during the Olympics. Although the release date has shifted a couple of times, it is currently set for November 22nd.

The marketing budget for Wicked must be absolutely massive because Universal has been pretty consistent with releasing new featurette and TV spots for this film since pretty much the first trailer dropped. You don't normally see that, and it either means they are super confident in this film or they are panicking and hoping that if they keep showing footage, people will show up at the box office this November. The Olympics is one of the biggest televised events of the entire year, and marketing space for that time isn't cheap, but Wicked walked away with another one-minute TV spot. This one is kind of cool because it's one of those ones where everything is edited and cut to the beat of the music in the background or, in this case, to the ticking of a clock. It makes for a much more dynamic sort of trailer to watch, even if Universal is still not entirely being honest about the fact that this is a musical and that it's a part one. That has to become apparent before the film comes out in November, right? They wouldn't try to sneak a musical and a part one into theaters without telling audiences who know nothing of the source material? We'll see.

Wicked: Summary, Cast List, Release Date

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway's The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.

The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads, and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself and to those around her will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

The film also stars Oscar^® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University's regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway's Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba's favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.

The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda, played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots); a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) and four-time Emmy winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) as the voice of Dr. Dillamond. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive cultural celebration and will be released in theaters on November 22, 2024. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 26, 2025.

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