Stephen Schwartz’s musical masterpiece, Wicked, will be hitting the big screens next year with a two-part film adaptation. The theater production debuted in 2003 and became an instant Broadway staple. Fans of this beloved musical will be thrilled when Wicked: Part One is released on Nov. 27, 2024. Wicked: Part Two is scheduled to be released in 2025. Discover more about the talented cast and crew bringing the Wicked film to life, and how the adaptation builds on the stage show’s legacy at the Gershwin Theatre.
Who Is Involved With The Wicked Film Production?
Crazy Rich Asians director, Jon M. Chu, will be taking the reins on the development of this project. Chu, a famed director and producer, is well-suited for this position, especially his prior experience directing two musical drama films: Jem and the Holograms (2015) and Lin Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights (2021). Joining Chu in the development of the Wicked films will be Schwartz as the composer and co-screenplay writer with his peer, Winnie Holzman.
Chu has discussed how film allows expanded scenes, closeups, and quieter emotional beats that the stage cannot always capture. Part One’s screenplay draws on Holzman’s stage book, with film-specific adjustments, so the tone stays true to the musical while taking advantage of cinematic storytelling.
A Star-Studded Cast
With Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the lead roles, audiences can at least expect a great musical experience from the films. Cynthia Erivo is an English actress and singer who has won a Grammy Award as well as nominations for two Oscars and a Primetime Emmy. Her Broadway career began in 2011, but Erivo would gain widespread acclaim and recognition in 2015 for her portrayal of Celie Johnson in The Color Purple revival. The role won Erivo the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, so her performance as Elphaba is sure to stun audiences.
As the soon-to-be Wicked Witch’s rival, Glinda, Ariana Grande also has a theater background alongside her acting and music career. In 2008, Grande’s career began after debuting in Broadway’s 13 (2008). She was cast later in several Nickelodeon series before signing with Republic Records. Grande has received many accolades for her singing including two Grammys, nine MTV VMAs and more than 30 Guinness World Records. These achievements along with her popularity on social media and in pop culture make Grande an excellent choice to play Glinda. Guinness World Records documents Grande’s multiple record milestones (including Spotify listener records), underscoring her recent streaming and cultural reach that amplify the film’s pop visibility.
Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) is slated as the girls’ love interest, Fiyero Tigelaar, with Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once) as Shiz University’s headmistress, Miss Morrible. Other prominent celebrities making an appearance will be Bowen Yang (SNL), Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) and the infamous Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. The cast blends screen and stage talent, showing how Broadway actors transition to film where closeups and age reads are different than on stage.
Films vs. Musical: What Changes to Expect
Initially, there were thoughts of having Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel reprise their past roles of Elphaba and Glinda, but it was decided that new faces would better suit the film’s development. Another difference is Chu’s goal to have the film’s main focus be on the sister-like relationship between Elphaba and Glinda. The movie slows their bond to develop gradually and highlights Glinda’s evolution from socialite to compassionate leader.
The production team decided early that it would do the Broadway classic injustice if certain characters and songs were cut so the decision was made to split Wicked the film into two parts. Part One runs over two and a half hours, preserving favorite numbers while expanding key moments. Another notable difference will be the addition of new musical material to the soundtrack. Stephen Schwartz has confirmed fresh compositions and expanded arrangements, including film-only moments like “No Place Like Home” and reprises woven into “Every Day More Wicked,” while keeping stage staples intact. Entertainment Weekly cites Cynthia Erivo praising the two-part format for allowing more time to expand character relationships and backstory, supporting the film’s approach to deepen emotional beats.
You can also expect deeper Oz lore and new scenes. The film shows more of young Elphaba’s upbringing, adds screen time for traditional Oz figures, and reimagines sequences such as “Something Bad” as a meeting of talking Animals with Dr. Dillamond. In a shift closer to Gregory Maguire’s novels, the movie reveals Glinda possesses magical abilities, foreshadowed as she travels across Oz in her bubble.
The Broadway Classic
When Wicked made its Broadway premiere in October 2003 at the Gershwin Theatre in New York, the musical starring Chenoweth and Menzel as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, earned a mass critical reception. In 2004, the musical received and won three of its ten Tony Award nominations as well as seven Drama Desk Awards and the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Tony Awards’ official year-by-year archive confirms the production led the 2004 Tonys with 10 nominations and won three awards.
Spotlight is cast on the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. The story occurs both before and after Dorothy gets swept away to the land of Oz. Before these girls became notorious witches of Oz, they were simply Elphaba and Glinda, two friends-turned-rivals at school. Wicked follows how the duo interacted with each other, over a shared love interest and opposing personalities and views on Oz society. Audiences would experience Elphaba’s fall from grace and her journey to becoming, well, wicked.
The musical has put on performances in more than 100 cities in nearly 20 different countries and in October 2019, surpassed Les Misérables to become the fifth longest-running production in Broadway history. Broadway.com reported that on October 28, 2019, Wicked officially passed Les Misérables to claim that fifth-longest-running slot on Broadway. For venue details, seating tips, and current dates, explore the Gershwin Theatre page on TicketSmarter.
See Wicked In Theatres
While the film is not set to premiere just yet, you can relive the magic when you buy Wicked tickets from TicketSmarter. Browse musicals tickets for Broadway, touring productions, and West End favorites. If you are outside New York City, consider catching a tour stop like Wicked in Columbia, SC. For other touring titles on the horizon, see our guide to Touring Broadway Shows in 2025.
FAQs: Wicked Movie and Broadway
How will the Wicked film adaptation change the Broadway musical’s storyline and characters?
TicketSmarter expects the two-part format to preserve songs while expanding scenes and character beats. The films add context for Elphaba’s upbringing, give Glinda more visible magic, and re-stage moments like “Something Bad” with a wider view of Oz society. These choices are designed to add depth without losing the heart fans love.
What are the major casting differences between the Wicked stage production and film adaptation?
Instead of the original Broadway Elphaba and Glinda, the films cast Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The choice blends stage power with pop reach, which can broaden audiences for both the films and live performances. Fans can follow Erivo’s appearances on her artist page at TicketSmarter.
How does splitting Wicked into two films affect preserving songs and plot from the original musical?
Part One runs over two and a half hours, and the two-film plan helps keep beloved numbers while adding new material. TicketSmarter notes that medleys, reprises, and fresh songs appear on screen, while the core plot lines are allowed to unfold more naturally.
What new songs are being added to the Wicked movie soundtrack and who is composing them?
Stephen Schwartz is composing new music for the films. Expect original titles like “No Place Like Home,” plus reprises woven into “Every Day More Wicked,” alongside expanded arrangements of familiar songs.
Why did the filmmakers choose new actors instead of original Broadway Elphaba and Glinda performers?
Director Jon M. Chu weighed many options and ultimately chose a cast that fits the cinematic medium. Film reads age and closeups differently than stage, and the goal was to capture truthful performances that serve the story on screen.
What differences in pacing and character focus should fans expect from a two-part Wicked film?
The films slow down Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship, highlight Glinda’s transformation into a leader, and allow side characters and Oz lore to breathe. TicketSmarter recommends fans watch for subtle references that reward repeat viewings.
How can fans see Wicked live while waiting for the films?
TicketSmarter lists performances at the Gershwin Theatre and touring engagements like Wicked in Columbia, SC. You can also explore more musicals tickets to find similar shows.
Author: TicketSmarter Editorial Team
Updated: January 17, 2026
