Defy gravity this November and experience the musical blockbuster Wicked on the big screen. It's the first instalment in a two-part cinematic adaptation of Stephen Schwartz's world-conquering Broadway phenomenon, bringing us the backstory of the Good and Bad Witches of Oz, replete with an all-star cast and a mega-budget sense of scale.
Here's everything you need to know about the all-star cast of characters.
Glinda and Elphaba
Glinda (played by Ariana Grande)
As per the stage show, Glinda is born Galinda Upland and she crosses paths with Elphaba while attending Madame Morrible's sorcery class at Shiz University. Blonde, butter-wouldn't-melt Glinda becomes the most popular girl in her class, in direct opposition to Elphaba.
Of her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, pop sensation Grande says: "[Cynthia] is my favorite female voice. When I was watching you sing at the Oscars, I said, ‘I hope someday I get to sing with her.’”
Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo)
She is the tortured heart of Wicked: an outcast young woman who is seeking her place in the world. When she and Glinda first meet, Glinda takes sympathy on Elphaba and encourages her to find her own voice. This prompts Elphaba to venture to the emerald city of Oz and meet the mysterious Wizard who rules the city.
Erivo is a natural fit for the role, already an Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning performer. Elphaba's centrepiece song is 'Defying Gravity' and both Grande and Erivo performed live on set, reports Vanity Fair. "These are live vocals,” says director Jon M. Chu, a veteran of the 2021 Lin-Maniel Miranda adaptation In the Heights. “When we were shooting it, those girls were like, ‘Fuck the pre-records. We’re going live.’"
Fiyero Tigelaar (played by Jonathan Bailey)
Fiyero Tigelaar, Chieftain of the Arjikis, is a former Arjiki prince-turned-chieftain from the Vinkus (or Winkie Country) who attends Shiz University. His destiny eventually overlaps with that of Glinda and Elphaba. He's played by Bridgerton and Fellow Travellers star Jonathan Bailey (soon to be seen in Jurassic World Rebirth opposite Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali).
Madame Morrible and The Wizard of Oz
Madame Morrible (played by Michelle Yeoh)
Headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University, the scheming Madame Morrible has a pernicious influence on Elphaba's destiny. It is the nefarious Madame who, as per the Wicked trailer, encourages the Wizard of Oz to construct a villainous archetype through which the citizens of Oz can channel their fear and anger. She's played by the Oscar-winning story of Everything Everywhere All At Once, Michelle Yeoh.
The Wizard of Oz (played by Jeff Goldblum)
A long time ago, a humble, unassuming man from Missouri ventured by hot-air balloon to a mysterious land known as Oz. He eventually came to rule this land via the power of smoke and mirrors, coming to embody the notion of 'the wizard behind the curtain'. In Wicked's interpretation of the Oz story, the Wizard's allegiances aren't immediately clear, which is surely going to be aided by actor Jeff Goldblum's famously erratic and off-kiter vocal delivery, famous from the likes of Jurassic Park (1993).
In addition, Game of Thrones' Peter Dinklage voices Doctor Dillamond, The Greatest Showman breakout Keala Settle portrays Miss Coddle and Andy Nyman (Ghost Stories) plays Frexspar Thropp.
Meet all these memorable characters and more when Wicked is released on November 22nd. Book your tickets via the link below.
Don't forget we’ve got two brand new, free Wicked-themed ICEE flavours (Glinda's Perfect Pink/Strawberry, and Elphaba's Emerald Green/Sour Apple) to enjoy when you see Wicked in 4DX or ScreenX between November 22nd and 28th.
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