It’s a wrap for American singing sensation and actress Ariana Grande as she concludes filming for the much-anticipated film adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical ‘Wicked’. This revelation surfaced following a report by The Hollywood Reporter that spotlighted the end of Grande’s journey portraying the iconic character of Galinda, also known as Glinda the Good Witch.
As the news broke out, the pop star took to Instagram to share her emotions along with a sentiment-filled message from the film’s director, Jon M. Chu. His Instagram post heralded a heartfelt farewell to the year spent with Grande in her role as Galinda, expressing eagerness for the audience to meet her portrayal and extending thanks to the singer for dedicating her heart to the magical land of Oz. Ensuingly, Grande reposted Chu’s message with her own tender response, asserting her inability to forget the precious time spent inhabiting her character. In a poignant acknowledgment, she intertwined her gratitude to her colleagues, referring to Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, with a profound sense of togetherness.
In her Instagram post, Grande reiterated her thankfulness, specially mentioning Chu’s leadership marked by compassion, open-mindedness, and kindness. She remarked on Chu’s unique manner of conducting the space, something she hadn’t witnessed before, and punctuated her words with an expression of love for the director.
‘Wicked: Part One’ is poised to be the inaugural segment of two cinematic renditions of the musical ‘Wicked’, which originally graced the Broadway stage as a masterpiece work of Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz. Based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire, along with characters from L. Frank Baum’s seminal 1900 novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ and its legendary 1939 cinematic adaptation, Chu’s take on the beloved story sets the stage for a stellar cast. Joining Grande and Erivo’s lead performances are Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh in crucial supporting roles.
As audiences eagerly await, ‘Wicked: Part One’ is slated for a theatrical release on November 27, promising to transport viewers to the enchanting realm of Oz and recount the untold stories of its two most famous witches. The film promises to delve into the complexities of their relationship, their backgrounds, and the fateful paths that lead them to become Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West.
The production of ‘Wicked: Part One’ has garnered substantial attention, with fans of both the original musical and the novel anticipating the translation of the magical story to the big screen. Helmed by Chu, whose notable works include ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and ‘In the Heights’, the film is expected to encapsulate the grandiosity and emotional depth that made the story a cultural phenomenon.
The excitement generated by the completion of Grande’s filming injects a frisson of expectation into the upcoming movie season, promising to deliver a film that resonates with die-hard fans and newcomers alike. As the countdown to the premiere begins, one thing remains certain: the land of Oz, with its deep-seated allure, is set to cast a captivating spell on cinema screens worldwide.
