First look at Ariana Grande in Wicked trailer as fans predict Oscar success

Ariana Grande plays Glinda in the film version of the stage musical
Lisa McLoughlin 12 February 2024
The Weekender

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The first trailer for the highly-anticipated movie adaptation of Wicked has dropped – and fans are already predicting Oscar buzz around the film’s stars.

The teaser for Wicked: Part One debut during Sunday’s Super Bowl and showed Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in the land of Oz.

Directed by Jon M Chu, the film adaptation of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s award-winning Broadway show will be released in two parts, with the first landing in the UK on November 28, 2024.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel which inspired the Broadway hit, it precedes Dorothy’s arrival in Oz and tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West.

The first look at the film begins with the show’s signature anthem, Defying Gravity.

“Don’t be afraid,” Grande’s character Glinda, the future Good Witch of the North, reassures green-skinned Elphaba (Erivo).

The first poster for the movie adaptation for Wicked
Universal Pictures

“I’m not afraid, it’s the Wizard who should be afraid of me,” London-born star Erivo said.

The cast includes Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz, who all star in the trailer.

A mere glimpse of Part One has already caused a frenzy online, with fans predicting Oscar wins for the film’s leading ladies, Grande and Erivo, who was nominated for Best Actress in 2020 for Harriet.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan posted: “The next best supporting actress Oscar winner goes to Ariana Grande for Wicked.”

“Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are coming for their first oscar wins next year for ‘wicked’, mark my words” another commented.

A third echoed their sentiments: “Can’t Believe Ariana is gonna win an Oscar for Wicked and AOTY for Eternal Sunshine in the same year can you say legendary.”

The movie adaptation has been a long time coming, encountering its fair share of challenges along the way, including the departure of director Stephen Daldry before Chu took the helm.

Reflecting on her experience during filming, Grande expressed how much playing Glinda meant to her, saying she was “savouring every millisecond” of the journey.

Wicked Part One arrives in UK cinemas on November 28, 2024

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