I wish we could just get a good stage recording like we got with Hamilton, instead of a two part Wicked movie. The stage musical is great as it and doesn’t need to be padded out with another 1.5-2 hours of material just so they can cash in on two movies.
@@manuelorozco7760 Well, people have posted pirated recorded footage of the original cast of "Wicked," but of course it has never actually been officially released to the public like "Hamilton"
I'd love to see previous glinda and elphaba's from the stage make cameos within the film. I think that would blow the minds of all the wicked fans. I may be in the minority but I actually like more of the songs from act 2 than act 1. In act one it's dancing through life, the wizard and I and defying gravity but act 2 with as long as you're mine, no good deed and for good I feel gives more of an emotional sucker punch
Pretty sure Idina has teased some involvement, which I hope means Kristin will be in it too. Those roles have such a legacy of amazing women who have played them over the years and I really hope they call up as many Elphabas and Glindas as they can find, even if they function as little more than extras.
I think if they really need to, why not have an intermission in the film? I know it’s never done anymore but it would be a good way of showing it’s based off a stage musical and can help the audience calm back down after Defying Gravity
This has been done to a degree. I went to a double feature of Thor and Thor: The Dark World and there was an intermission in between which was so great as it meant you had a time to go to the loo and get more snacks without missing a movie you have paid for!
From what I heard it wasn’t necessarily split into two films because they couldn’t find anything to follow Defying Gravity, but because they struggled to find anything to cut to make the run time fit for one film, so to avoid having to cut anything they’re going to make 2 films. I’m happy as a huge wicked fan that they’re not planning to cut anything because it would be very sad if they cut a small but important moment, Wicked is so awesome because of the attention to detail in the storyline being so clever, part of it’s magic would be missing without the details. I would love release of films 1&2 at the same time with an intermission in cinemas because that would be my preferable way to watch it (will be desperate to watch the second one as soon as the first ones finished as that’s what we’re used to in the theatre) but wouldn’t be surprised if they’re not ready at the same time. It would also avoid the possible lack of box office revenue for the second film as people will go for both rather than watch one, be disappointed and miss the second one.
I saw another video about this which brought up a good point. They’re probably going to use the second movie to add on more references to the 1939 Wizard of Oz film. Visibly seeing Dorothy and so on. Personally I hope they expand on Nessarose’s role. I love Wicked but one thing that I always thought was that we never really see Nessa being the “wicked witch of the east.” The only person who says that is Boq. The other characters, don’t ascribe that name to her. If Nessa has become this ruthless tyrant let’s see it. Also Nessa finally gets a chance to walk but loses Boq? She deserves a tragic “last midnight” version type song to sing before she dies. Obviously it can’t take the place of No Good Deed but like the anti defying Gravity. Also I’d love to see a scene where Glinda properly rejects Boq especially as the Tin Man and THAT’s what causes him to snap and go after Elphaba and want to kill her.
I really hope they're filming both parts at the same time, or at least have confirmed dates for filming, because otherwise if cast's schedules don't work out we could be waiting quite a while for part two and if it's left too long I'm pretty sure people will just stop caring
I think the first movie will leave audiences unsatisfied, and the second will bore everyone to death. James Cameron recently commented that no one better complain about his newest Avatar movie being too long when people binge 8 hours of Netflix series on a regular basis. Chu should just make a 3 hour movie and let everyone deal with it.
The audacity of this man. I will watch an 8 hour recording of Kristin Chenoweth reading the phone book, but that doesn't mean id watch the sequel to Alien Pocahontas that came out like 15 years ago
I agree with you and I will add that in addition to putting our faith in Chu, we can put some faith in Stephen Schwartz, for this reason: he has been involved in the casting of EVERY SINGLE Wicked tour on Earth (Japan, Korea, everywhere) along with his dutiful crew. There is a reason that you can watch a (bootleg? never) video of the German version of Wicked and it sounds and looks exactly the same as the Broadway version, while still allowing for each actor to bring their personalities to the roles. There's a reason Stephen doesn't allow willy-nilly riffing (every note in a riff has to be approved ahead of time or you get written up). He has remained true to his (and Winnie's) original vision and has never let anything get in the way of that. That being said, I'm nervous about two films. When I saw it the first time, I thought, "How on earth can they top the end of the second act??" and then they did. But was it the BUILD UP to the ending that topped the second act song Defying Gravity? I think it was. I don't think if we'd come back a year later and watched the end of the second act "For Good" would've had the same impact. I'm nervous. But the bottom line, really, is can anything ever be as good as the first time you saw, live and in person above your head, Elphaba flying and singing "...and nobody, in all of Oz, no Wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring MEEEEE DOOOOOWWWWWNNNNNNN..."? I say no. See it live.
Worldwide productions aren't the same because of Schwarz. They are the same because that is what audiences expect. Long before Wicked, international productions of many shows have been carbon copies of the Broadway production.
Honestly this felt like a cash grab from the moment they cast Ariana grande in the role. I’m not saying she wouldn’t do a good job, I just think there are several actors who are better suited for the role. But as you said I trust the director and trust that he would make the right choices for adapting the show. As for the two movie structure, I agree with everything you said. There is a low chance the movie won’t perform well, due to having the big names of wicked and Ariana grande behind it. But yeah the second film would feel tacked on to all the epicness of the first act. Additionally, I feel the full circle structure of the show would be less impactful with two movies, and I doubt they would change the funeral scene at the beginning because no one mourns the wicked is a great openning number. I am holding my excitement for this movie till we get an actual trailer. I am not very hopeful for this adaptation. But aspect like the director and senthia erivo in the lead role makes me looking forward to seeing what they are going to do with it
Have you ever heard anybody sing The wizard and I like Ariana grande did. It is only because Ariana Grande's vocal range Capacity is more like the character elphaba
Jon did say they want to stay true to the source material and is adding elements of both the novel and musical. I can't wait to see what they plan on adding from the book. I'm also curious to listen to the 3 new songs and whatever song they are adding that was cut from the Broadway show... I'm hoping it's making good.
I could see having an intermission after "Defying Gravity." It's not as if that hasn't been done before. "The Sound of Music," for example. An intermission lets you glow in the dynamic end-of-act number, lets the adrenaline run its course, and, perhaps via an entr'acte, get back to the movie at a lower emotional level but with expectations. You know...present it like the theatrical musical comedy it is.
It'll be interesting - if they release them simultaneously I wonder if they'll do back-to-back showings/admissions. I can't imagine paying twice to see two halves of what is one show.
The only thing I could add to your concerns is that *potentially*, Act 1 of Wicked could be seen as a self-contained story. Green girl turns wicked, breaks free to do her own thing with 'Defying Gravity' - ah yes, that concludes the story of how the Wicked Witch of the West came to be. A certain percentage of the audience is going to be totally new to the story, having never seen it in the theatre, and are they going to think the end of Movie 1 is the end of the story? Will they come back for Act/Movie 2?
Positives: we may get great new songs. Characters without many songs might get more to do. (Nessa, Morrible, Boq) Negatives: the story isn’t a surprise to anyone who’ll be going, even the non musical theater fan. Therefore, it seems meaningless to stretch it to two films when everyone knows the ending. The most signature songs are in ACT1 Unless they pad them, the the movies are going to feel really short, especially the second one. (You’re taking a 2 hr and 40 min show, and breaking it up into two full length movies.)
80 minutes (1 hour 20 minutes, half of what you described) isn't too short for a movie. Sure, a majority of movies with theater releases run at least 90 minutes. But as long as a movie is over an hour, I think it'll do. Plus with the new additions, each movie will be longer anyway.
maybe they can get some from the original source material, Wicked musical is very much different from the book. Same way Les Mis source material is different from the musical.
@@jonathanlopez6953 the problem is the book is SO different from the movie I don’t know that it would work unless they rewrite major parts of the existing musical.
I believe the two parts will film simultaneously (like many other two parters) so we shouldn’t have to worry about them not releasing the entire story. And the more I think about it, the more interested I am in what they are going to do with it. Im not saying it's not a cash grab, as money is definitely a huge factor in that decision, but I can't help but feel like Stephen and Winnie are also huge parts. If you do research about the development of the show, there was tension amongst the creatives and the direction that they wanted to go. I know that there were scenes, songs and story lines that were cut that we may get back with this adaptation. That excites me. I think it also allows for the expansion of several story elements, like Nessa rose's turn to tyranny and her forced relationship with Boq. I would also like to see more backstory with Glinda and Fiyeros political relationship, and further explore Glinda's guilt with choosing the wizard and the pomp and circumstance over Elphaba. Elements that I feel were glossed over in the show. Also, it might be cool to show more of the influence that Dr. Dillamond had over Elphaba, and her decision to try and use her power for good. I know some people would rather just record the stage version or copy paste it onto a Hollywood set, but what works on stage doesn't necessarily work on screen. This is an adaptation, which means for better of worse changes will be made. If it turns out bad, the stage version is always there.
When I found out about the casting of the Wicked movie, I wasn't hooked. I'm not sure how to feel about Ariana Grande playing Glinda after something like Hairspray Live. I think Cynthia Erivo will be incredible. I'm also not sure how songs like "Defying Gravity" will play on screen. I think Jon M. Chu did a great job on "In the Heights". Making the movie two parts does seem like a cash grab to me. Plus, part two comes out a year after part one. I agree it would be weird to go in to just see act two of a musical.
Reminder that Cynthia Erivo made anti black comments about Black Americans while simultaneously playing Black American heroines, Celie and Harriet, I wish they would have chosen someone else
Ariana has been working overtime with her vocal and acting ever since before her audition, not to mention she has kristin herself as a mentor. She saw the original cast and has been passionate about this show ever since. I have faith in her.
In a world where we are willing to sit through over-stretched Marvel movies and James Cameron is DARING people to complain about the length of his new Avatar movie, the only reason for splitting a musical movie in two is for a cash grab. If they film both parts at the same time they can release them both even if the first one is a flop. The trouble is that while the musical has a two-act structure, films have a three-act structure so Wicked will need to have six act breaks in total. Lindsay Ellis' videos on the Hobbit trilogy explains this (and why it's a bad idea) really well.
Would love to see the story padded out with more of the original story from the book: the political subtext, the subversion of the whole terrorism/freedom fighter motif, etc. there’s loads from the book which could be amazing in a 2-part film, but it doesn’t necessarily speak to the “teenage girl” audience.
Good point, though maybe there will be an audience given when I was a teen, I ate up dystopia YA especially Hunger games and just that there are many in that generation who are politically aligned or young activists. They would appreciate it not being dumbed down
Interesting fact: Mamma Mia - Here We Go Again was greenlit as a result of Wicked not happening (again) but universal had the studio booked and needed to fill it ….. amazing how these things come about. The turn around for MM2 was SO fast for a movie!
I have a lot of faith in Ariana. I don't need faith in Cynthia - I know she will be AMAZING. I would trust the woman with my life, that's how much I trust her. As for the logo... it looks like Monster Energy and I hate it. And in regards to it being a two-parter... I'm not digging that idea. It reminds me of how a few years back, EVERYTHING had to be in two parts. It just feels like a money-grab or like the people working on it aren't good enough to make an adaption. It's not a good sign.
I love the way you think, "Monster"😂. I also feel like movie making is losing touch with the notion of making a compelling story with one film to do it...
I had not heard that they were splitting the film in two until this - I feel like it could be quite easy to loose the momentum the show by splitting it in two, especially when the hugely successful musical indicates that you can tell that story in a 'standard film time'. If it's split in two, I think people are definitely less likely to re-watch it than they would with a single film. I do sometimes wonder just how many adaptations would be split into multiple parts if Deathly Hallows hadn't been split.
@@veb_edvard Thank you. I was a bit more of a Harry Potter fan that I was of the Hunger Games. Although I missed their respective first installments in theaters.
It's interesting to me that you didn't once mention the Wicked book in this video. Have you read it? I ask this because my hope is that by dividing the production into 2 films they will bring in a lot more of the book's story that was cut from the stage musical. The book is structured very differently than the musical. It spends significantly less time at school with the girls and way more time focusing on the years afterword between university and the end of Wizard of Oz. There's an entire arc where Elphaba is working as a spy/insurrectionist/revolutionary in the Emerald City before she leaves to become the Wicked Witch of the West. I would love to see more of this narrative unfold on film.
I always felt Glinda had the more interesting story line in the Second Act, and the details of how she defeated incredible evil felt somewhat rushed and perfunctory in the musical. If I were making the film in to two films, I would absolutely detail Glinda's second act story more, and crescendo Part II towards a new, big, rousing 11th Hour Song for Glinda right before "For Good." It makes total sense they'd want to give Ariana a new big song to belt anyway.
I have no objection if that new song is the case. But I imagine she won’t want too much treatment. There was supposed to be a new song for Ariana as Penny in Hairspray Live. She wanted nothing new besides the end duet with Jennifer Hudson
I mean, they probably scaled Glinda’s storyline back because the story is technically about Elphaba. Glinda truly is a supporting character in hindsight, she serves as a means to show Elphaba’s transformation as a witch. She was never meant to have an 11 o’clock number.
Honestly the more I hear about the wicked movie, the less I want to see it. My reason comes back to two points and they are Ariana and Gregory Maguire’s Book that the musical is based off of. 1. Not once have I ever heard Ariana annunciate, I am also willing to let her surprise me but that girl is not a soprano and she cannot annunciate. I’m just worried this is going to be a repeat of the Emma Watson as Belle where I look at a character that I used to love and resent them because the actor ruined them. (In Emma’s case she was so auto tuned it made me cringe that whole movie) 2. I’m not sure if you’ve ever read the book by Gregory Maguire but, even though I enjoyed it, they should not incorporate more elements from the book into the movie. I worry by making this into two movies they’re going to incorporate more of the books into it. Yes there are fun elements but those are mostly incorporated in already. The book is deep dive into the politics of Oz. And it is a lot. I would not want to watch that adapted to a big screen because to be honest that would be boring to watch, it’s fun to read but not fun to watch.
If you look at older videos of Ariana Grande (there's one of her singing "What It Means to Be a Friend" that's pretty good), she definitely used to be able to enunciate. I'm not sure what happened there. I'd hoped maybe she'd get back to that style in Hairspray, but she was still mumbling there.
I agree with what you said, basing the movie off of themes in the book will tarnish Winnie Holzman's treatment on the story. The movie might need more backstory to sequential events because of the transitions of scenes in the play. I do not see Ariana singing the movie in accordance to the musical's portrayal of the character. She will riff and run like the hills on her numbers. Cynthia will have great conviction in the more dramatic scenes and her singing will be belt and nothing else. No other cast details have been released which will indicate a hit or miss for the film and therefore creating a triumph or injustice to the beloved musical...
The podcast episode with Ariana Grande by Eric Vietro, her vocal coach, might help assuage some concerns with her. Grande's enunciation in her pop songs is largely a stylistic choice; it sells, and it's what she wants her pop sound to be. In the podcast, she sings some of her pop songs in a more classical style. There's also a compilation someone has put up with Grande singing Wicked songs in a more theatre-style. Also Grande said on the Voice that she was losing her voice during Hairspray Live? So, here's to hoping that is not indicative of how she will act in the Wicked movies. The other concerns though… Good luck to us allz
Since Gregory Maguire was consulted about the stage show, I wonder if he's involved with the movie? If they meld more of the book into the musical (in a smart way), I'm all for 2 movies!
If they play their cards right, they could truly create a two-movie, original musical that covers the last three books. The fan base is there and it could turn into a pared-down stage show. They just have to do it properly.
@@manuelorozco7760 The book (and the series) deals with a LOT of content that makes you understand every character better. If you do to want to read it, definitely find the audiobook. It is more than worth it!
Back in the 1950s and 1960s films such as WICKED were released as Reserved Seat Engagements with Overtures, Intermissions, Entre’Acts, and Exit Music. There were no previews shown, and programs were sold in the lobby. It basically mirrored going to see a Broadway show. So the WICKED film is a 4 hour movie, then present both Acts One & Two in one showing (like it’s presented on Broadway) with a 15 minute intermission and be done with it. This is how MY FAIR LADY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, FUNNY GIRL, CAMELOT and HELLO, DOLLY! we’re all originally presented, in select Cities for the initial engagement. And all in single screen cinemas with curtains, adding to the Broadway aura. Actually all cinemas had curtains in front of the screens in those days, up until the early 90s, when advertising on the screen became ‘de rigueur’ before the show started.
I hear that a lot of plot elements from the novel will be added to the film, but I wonder how that will work with the musical's vast differences from the book. The novel and the musical are very different from each other.
They might pull some stuff from the book(s) that didn't make the musical to fill out some of the time. There is a lot of stuff in it, that even keeping the more family friendly tone of the musical, you can get some additional material to expand on the lore (and find inspiration for inevitable oscar bait original songs). I would say I'm cautiously optimistic that it could work.
I WISH Wicked Witch of the East was on the cast recording. Love that part so much. But it’s defiantly more just singing narration than it is an actual song.
Incidentally a friend of mine knows John Chu and the WICKED film, Parts One & Two are being filmed back to back. Physical production will last for up to a year, with Part Two still being worked on, as Part One is released.
@@audramcdonaldapologist3676 While I agree with you, I do think film is quite different and we saw that styling really really matters in what they did to Ben Platt. The filmmakers are going to want audiences that aren’t just people who saw Wicked in the theater, and it is much harder to sell those roles as the age that they’re meant to be when the camera is going to be much closer. Basically I just really hope that they take the lessons they have already been taught in other films and apply them to this.
I can see them just doing two films for the cash grab. In older musical film adaptions, they used an interlude after what the end of act 1 would be. Wicked could easily use this and would also give people a short break to take in what they just saw before continuing. And have even said how long it would be between the two films? If it’s too long then people might lose interest but if it’s too short then people might wait until the second one comes out and watch them back to back which could mean the first film looses money and could halt the second films release. I’m also hoping they include more music and expand the story because if not then each film is going to be about 1 hour and people might not want to see a short film like that and feel it’s a wasted trip to the cinema money wise. Also as someone who currently works in a cinema I’m already gearing up for people complaining to me about the films being in two parts and jokingly saying if they can have half their money back since they technically only saw half a film and me trying not to shout at them.
Another example is Dreamgirls; And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going. Condon just got on with things. I don't like this two movie concept. Wicked isn't that complex.
It's ABSOLUTELY a cash grab. I agree with basically everything you said. And I have a really bad feeling that the first movie is gonna tank the second one.
Hi Mickeyjo. I read the novel and it was so much like hard work! I didn't see the musical after spending months reading the book, but I need to x how do I feel about the film ??? Hmmm
Like most great stage musicals (especially recent ones) what makes them work on stage is the pure theatricality of the experience. When we see a musical on stage, we willingly engage in a shared suspension of disbelief that is part of the magic. The live (often amazing) stagecraft is part of the event. BUT film is by its nature a PASSIVE experience -- you watch it happen. That's why few musicals transcend the transition to film. I am looking at YOU, Tom Hooper! That's one aspect I loved about Speilberg's WWS -- he made it cinematic yet managed to maintain the subtext of theatricality in the staging and production design. I feel the same about the Disney filming of the theatrical version of HAMILTON. A literal adaptation with real sets and locations would rob the show of its values. I fear much of the true magic of WICKED will be lost because the filmmakers will see the movie as an opportunity to overproduce it for the screen. I am a Canadian who has seen some of the same shows on Broadway as well as in the West End - without exception, the UK productions have been far better simply because the Americans have this "foot-long hotdog" mindset that BIGGER is automatically BETTER. As the Gershin boys once said, "It Ain't Necessarily So"...
As a former Wicked obsessed teen now entering my thirties, I am convinced that there is no Wicked movie and never will be. This is just a scam. Telling us there are two movies is just a way to get more time to continue this charade. As you said, I will believe it when I see it.
Wicked is still my favorite show of all time, and so I don't think it's likely that this movie will be an improvement. That said, I've been trying to be ambivalent about all of these announcements and remain willing to be impressed, as you say. I am also skeptical that 2 movies are mostly a cash grab because as much as I love the show, I can think of many things that could be cut or shortened to make it 2.5 hours. (The Wizards songs are first on the chopping block for me.) I'm also concerned about what new material they will use to pad the movies out. I will reserve judgment. I just hope the movie doesn't kill stage ticket sales.
I agree Wonderful is an egocentric song and A Sentimental Man is a facade song and don't move the plot forward, his deception is more pivotal to the story. The new material they could include is a more in depth take on the prologue and the time dragon clock, Elphaba rescuing more animals, Glinda lamenting over Elphie's disappearance, a new song for Fiyero about his conflict in loving Elphaba but not wanting to break Glinda's heart, a scene with Dorothy and the gang discussing their personal vendettas on Elphaba. The release dates also eludes me, Wicked is not a movie for Christmas time, Halloween is more appropriate...
I'm hoping it's 2 parts not just for the money, but because they want to dig deep into the story. No one wants to sit in a 4 hour movie (I would but that's just me) so splitting it might work. But if each part is only 1 1/2 hours then get out, it's not worth making it 2 parts. With that logo, Wicked doesn't mean just evil/bad now, Wicked is now cool and extreme like Monster Energy. I guess Ariana gets on a motor bike and does some tricks while singing For Good or something.
I feel like I've been excited for a Wicked movie for so many years that I'm kind of over it now. The announcement of it being two films does not fill me with hope. I'd rather they just release a proshot of one of the stage shows, for fans who don't have access to it live. The most famous/recognisable songs (other than For Good) are in Act 1. I have no idea how they can make a whole film from Act 2?? Maybe if they focus more on the origin of the tin man/lion and the Dorothy bit? I'll still watch them of course but it really does seem like a cash grab!
I’m ok with 2 movies depending on how they expand the story. Some people think they will add content from the original book. The problem with that is the story on the book is tonaly very different from the musical and wouldn’t really work. Although casting fiero closer to his description in the book would be an interesting choice.
@@christinasamuel3947 I believe there has been a person of color in the broadway cast at one point. However none have had the diamonds on his skin yet.
@@thomasbradley4505 good point that is one of the things our one is missing in fact out of everyone white actor who has played the role this is as close we are going to get on the west end so far unless it is are Asian understudy who is a back up for wicked but he is in a different musical now
Two movies... that's at least 3 hours (probably more, movies are usually close to 2 hours nowadays), and thats quite a lot more than the original show. I'm really afraid of the show being padded, and let's be honest here, i think Wicked already had some pacing issues in the beginning. It seems really complicated to do it that way, i don't know. With a stage musical you test the things you add, and sometimes even cut things... with a movie you can't do that.
I think it needs to be in two parts because the story timeline will have some time to breath. It moves very fast on stage, which is amazing, but on film I'm afraid it will feel overwhelming. Just a thought.
Omg hey, love your videos! I’m having trouble hearing you in this one just fyi. Something to do with your mic. Camera looks great though. PS the logo definitely gives me Monster Energy vibes
Also, Wicked does not have a happy ending. I do think it will be interesting ending the second movie with how the first one started (if they even keep No One Mourns the Wicked), but the movie will not end in a good note if they plan to be faithful. Elphaba is "dead", Fiyero is a [REDACTED], the Wizard is exiled, Glinda is sad her friend died. I think they are going to pad the second movie with a Wizard of Oz storyline, and the second year will be used to promote our new Dorothy. But yeah, Wicked 2 will not end in a happy ending, falling flat compared to the powerhouse that will be Defying Gravity.
I never knew that they were making a wicked movie. I love Broadway and musicals but I’ll admit it I’m a more casual fan than someone who’s super knowledgeable and invested in broadway. I really like wicked so I plan to see the film, my only hope is that they keep the music more Broadway and not make the songs more poppy ie Ariana’s solo music. Ariana has a beautiful voice but I don’t think her most recent albums do it any justice. You’re right when you say though that this movie is off to a good start, it already has two built in fan bases so I’m sure it will be successful monetarily, hopefully it’s also successful creatively and not just a forgotten blip in film like that wizard of Oz movie with Mila Kunis which I COMPLETELY forgot existed until you mentioned it lol
Risk with 2 parter is if part 1 doesn’t box office, part 2 won’t go and most of the best songs are in in part 1 - has to be a single film. New material is always weak
I'm dying to see these movies, but I don't see any point in watching one half of a stage show. I'll probably just wait until they're both available on streaming so I can watch them back to back.
My *first* thought was The Hobbit. I actually had been a LOTR and Hobbit fan since I was a kid, I was obsessed with the LOTR films and all of the behind the scenes stuff about Weta digital and the writing process-- but as a fan, I deliberately stepped back and have not seen *any* of the Hobbit films despite trusting the team making them, because I felt it was a sell-out move. Heck, Martin Freeman is one of my favorite actors! But I thought it was such a compromised decision to make, and I feel the same way here. Hearing that it'll be two films stripped away nearly all of my faith in the process and I am likely to just skip out on looking forward to this. I am a weirdo who often would rather avoid watching/listening to things if I think I'll be disappointed, though (hence watching 1 season of Umbrella Academy and 2 seasons of Stranger Things, and stopping there), so I'm likely in the minority.
I don't think there's anything they could really move from the 1st to the 2nd part to even it out like with Les Mis or In The Heights, but fortunately they have a whole long book to draw on for new material.
Both films are being filmed back to back, sets are already being built, rehearsals are starting soon, and filming starts in October... which doesn't leave long between filming and the release date in 2023
I think it should be noted that Winnie Holzman, was responsible for adapting Stephen Schwartz's original novel and bringing it to the stage. I'm shocked that I haven't heard her name being tossed around more... After schwartz, we really have her to thank for bringing this amazing show to us in the first place. Also, if my memory serves me correct, "Wicked," was originally slated to be a movie....not a Broadway musical. Which doesn't surprise me, the original "Wizard of Oz," was more of a play with music rather than a big Broadway blockbuster. Initially "Wicked" I believe, was to follow the same pattern... But it never got it's studio legs... For some reason and got benched... Then some how made it's way to broadway. For me, knowing that this amazing musical was originally slated to be a movie, I'm shocked at it's tardy arrival to the big screen. And while I may be scoffed at for saying this.... And even though I love Arianna Grande, and I'm sure what ever her name is from the U.K. is.... I would MUCH RATHER SEE IDINA AND KRISTIN reprising their roles... Or at least casting young versions of them in the first movie, and having them take over in the second movie. I mean what's make up for any way??? Right ..??? LONG LIVE IDINA AND KIRSTIN!!!!!!
I feel that I've seen wicked so many times over the years. I am excited to see an expanded wicked regardless of whether the movie ends up being a two act car crash or two act marvel.
I know different people have expressed confusion as to why a 2 part movie and I agree money has to be the key factor and nothing wrong with that. The idea of doing two movies means you have got to make us want to see the second half. Because how often have we had to wait a year or more to see the next chapter? All to often we loose interest if we have to wait to long. Here's a thought the first half may be fleshed out more about their backgrounds to stretch the running time and beefed up so when it ends on Defying Gravity it leaves you wanting more if nothing else the special fx will blow our mind's. No matter what finely Wicked will be out there.
Maybe they could release both parts of Wicked on the same day, similar to how the Harry Potter play used to work before being revamped/reimagined into only 1 show. This way you could see Wicked part 1 and then if you arectoo tired you could see Wicked Part II another day.
Yeah I won’t hold my breath either I was super excited for a wicked film 15 years ago now I’ll wait till I know it’s really happening. I am pleased they are trying to do it again, I hope they do film both together just in case.
don't really know where to leave this comment so I'll just leave it here Video idea: do a ranking for all the (well-known?) movie adaptations of musicals would love to hear your thoughts on them!
I first thought cash grab too. I think if they read the book and use some of what is not on stage from the book, it won't be like random inserted material. If they focus on the flying monkeys and make them look incredible and have a lot of them that would look incredible. If they release one Christmas and the other in the Summer, it could work. Christmas release for both is too long a wait. If they hired Ali Stroker. who is in a wheelchair and won the Tony for Oklahoma, who would be amazing as Nessa Rose and they can reinstate her song. It would support handicapped performers and give them a reason to support her. Let's all cross our fingers.
First of all, Wicked has made me the musical theatre geek I am today. Secondly the only more recent stage to screen adaptations I have watched are the Prom, In the Heights and West Side Story. I’m not often drawn to them. Third, I’m surprised they are putting the Wicked Story into two parts but Defying Gravity ending Part One totally fair.
You do need to remember during the out of town tryout of wicked Steven and Winnie walked out basically saying our way or the high way. So if he doesn’t get his way all hell will break loose
I'm definitely cautious of the 2 movie structure for wicked because I'm scared they won't be able to fill out 2 movies. Movies are getting longer nowadays, so I see no reason to not fit a 2.5h stage musical into a 3h movie other than wanting to make more money. I get that wicked is harder to tell all at once compared to west side story, tik tik boom, or in the hights since those stories take place over a week or less while wicked has time jumps and a story that most likely spans over years; but I doubt that is enough of an issue to justify splitting a 2.5h show into two 2h movies. Hopefully they will look towards the source material (the book 'Wicked: The life and times of the wicked witch of the west') rather than just filling it with fluff they come up with; but I'm hesitant to believe they will.
If other movie musicals with big iconic Act1 finales work as one movie then surely they could sort this out. Regardless of what you think of my examples think of the songs in question....Les Miz, Dreamgirls, West Side Story
I am not really clear for the need for a part two. And to a little ageist, the composer is a lot older now. And her recent show, Donkey Kong, sorry Prince of Egypt sow he is not firing on all cylinders. I also thought the logo reminded me of that energy drink one.
I swear to God, if the Wicked movie will result in the theater production going the way DEH did... ...I WILL RIOT. Also, if Grande doesn't do something about her enunciation... I WILL ALSO RIOT.
With the 2 movies being announced together, i think they will film they all at once like the Lord of The Rings trilogy was made, and if that is it, is a good thing, shows that the studios is really betting on the movie. And YES, act 2 has less memorable songs and character development, but that can also be a chance of further exploring the plot, show as MORE of what is happening
I get it being a two parter. Like maybe the the first part is their school years with the ending climax/cliffhanger being Defying Gravity. Then the second part being like the rest just more fleshed out. But I’m excited!! Wicked is one of my all time favorite musicals (I still remember seeing the OG cast). But yeah no that logo is trash NGL 😂
I honestly think presenting Wicked as a 2 part film is the right way to go without cutting any major songs. I believe Part 1 will end with Defying Gravity and then Part 2 will start with a time skip leading into Thank Goodness
@@hunterhuiet2785 you seem to have skipped a bunch of movie musicals to say that. If a song gets chopped for the film it is because it serves no purpose to the story. If you still want those songs the musical is playing all over the country for that reason...
@@veb_edvard I get what you are saying. But we are talking about a musical movie that has been in development for a very long time. This was in deployment hell longer than In The Heights was. If you were directing the feature film adaption of Wicked, what song or songs would you cut and why?
I think they kinda needed to make it 2 parts because unlike Lesmis, in the hights and Dear Evan Hanson there is a pretty big time jump between acts and a very sudden change in momentum with the time jump
I've seen Wicked a few times in my city, but don't remember seeing a Nessa number. Was this cut for touring? Is this a thing that happens? I'm a complete theater novice.
I think the studio will have more input in the direction. They really want this movie to win (as in, to quote you, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney:)) since the theatrically released musicals so far haven't done well. Noteven Spielberg's West Side Story.
The logo also looks a whole lot like the logo for Monster Energy drinks.
I was going to say the same thing!
As soon as I saw it I thought of Monster!!
Yes!!!
Thank you! I knew it reminded me of something!
Exactly what I thought when I saw it!
I wish we could just get a good stage recording like we got with Hamilton, instead of a two part Wicked movie. The stage musical is great as it and doesn’t need to be padded out with another 1.5-2 hours of material just so they can cash in on two movies.
I would have wanted it years ago
Not really cashing in if they're filming both movies concurrently - if Wicked 1 flops, Wicked 2 will still be released no matter what.
But the good thing is at least we’ll get a more fleshed out story and we will get to see more character development
The novel is packed full of detail. They could probably pull material from that.
@@manuelorozco7760 Well, people have posted pirated recorded footage of the original cast of "Wicked," but of course it has never actually been officially released to the public like "Hamilton"
I'd love to see previous glinda and elphaba's from the stage make cameos within the film. I think that would blow the minds of all the wicked fans.
I may be in the minority but I actually like more of the songs from act 2 than act 1. In act one it's dancing through life, the wizard and I and defying gravity but act 2 with as long as you're mine, no good deed and for good I feel gives more of an emotional sucker punch
Pretty sure Idina has teased some involvement, which I hope means Kristin will be in it too. Those roles have such a legacy of amazing women who have played them over the years and I really hope they call up as many Elphabas and Glindas as they can find, even if they function as little more than extras.
I’m more a fan of the Act 1 songs more. And I would want Eden and Megan to cameo
Make it like tick tick boom, where anyone on screen is associated with wicked. Oh I'd love that and forgive them for casting Ariana. .
Also, I hope that for the ensemble parts they cast actors in the UK as their filming location will be at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.
Kristen is very close to ari , and she said she would love to make a cameo , so it probably happen
I think if they really need to, why not have an intermission in the film? I know it’s never done anymore but it would be a good way of showing it’s based off a stage musical and can help the audience calm back down after Defying Gravity
That wouldn’t be bad idea if they were presenting it as 1 film
That’s what I’m saying! I even had the same point about it being a cool connection to it being a stage show first lol
great minds think alike
I always sit through the The Sound of Music movie without giving it a break after Act One
This has been done to a degree. I went to a double feature of Thor and Thor: The Dark World and there was an intermission in between which was so great as it meant you had a time to go to the loo and get more snacks without missing a movie you have paid for!
100% agree. When you go to see fathom events of stage musicals, they have an intermission, and it works just fine.
From what I heard it wasn’t necessarily split into two films because they couldn’t find anything to follow Defying Gravity, but because they struggled to find anything to cut to make the run time fit for one film, so to avoid having to cut anything they’re going to make 2 films. I’m happy as a huge wicked fan that they’re not planning to cut anything because it would be very sad if they cut a small but important moment, Wicked is so awesome because of the attention to detail in the storyline being so clever, part of it’s magic would be missing without the details.
I would love release of films 1&2 at the same time with an intermission in cinemas because that would be my preferable way to watch it (will be desperate to watch the second one as soon as the first ones finished as that’s what we’re used to in the theatre) but wouldn’t be surprised if they’re not ready at the same time. It would also avoid the possible lack of box office revenue for the second film as people will go for both rather than watch one, be disappointed and miss the second one.
I saw another video about this which brought up a good point. They’re probably going to use the second movie to add on more references to the 1939 Wizard of Oz film. Visibly seeing Dorothy and so on.
Personally I hope they expand on Nessarose’s role. I love Wicked but one thing that I always thought was that we never really see Nessa being the “wicked witch of the east.” The only person who says that is Boq. The other characters, don’t ascribe that name to her. If Nessa has become this ruthless tyrant let’s see it. Also Nessa finally gets a chance to walk but loses Boq? She deserves a tragic “last midnight” version type song to sing before she dies. Obviously it can’t take the place of No Good Deed but like the anti defying Gravity.
Also I’d love to see a scene where Glinda properly rejects Boq especially as the Tin Man and THAT’s what causes him to snap and go after Elphaba and want to kill her.
I never thought of that and give Boq a sense of closure
I really hope they're filming both parts at the same time, or at least have confirmed dates for filming, because otherwise if cast's schedules don't work out we could be waiting quite a while for part two and if it's left too long I'm pretty sure people will just stop caring
I hope they’re filming both too
I would be very surprised if they don’t film the entire thing at the same time.
I think the first movie will leave audiences unsatisfied, and the second will bore everyone to death. James Cameron recently commented that no one better complain about his newest Avatar movie being too long when people binge 8 hours of Netflix series on a regular basis. Chu should just make a 3 hour movie and let everyone deal with it.
James Cameron doesn’t realize being stuck in a theater for 3.5 hours isn’t the same as watching something at home at your own pace.
I’ve waited for Avatar 2 since 2010
@@WerdnaNiraehs You do have a point! I’ll give you that
@@WerdnaNiraehs Oh, boo-hoo. Put your big boy pants on and watch the movie, Andrew. Also, I said 3, not 3.5. Typical man-exaggerating length.
The audacity of this man. I will watch an 8 hour recording of Kristin Chenoweth reading the phone book, but that doesn't mean id watch the sequel to Alien Pocahontas that came out like 15 years ago
I agree with you and I will add that in addition to putting our faith in Chu, we can put some faith in Stephen Schwartz, for this reason: he has been involved in the casting of EVERY SINGLE Wicked tour on Earth (Japan, Korea, everywhere) along with his dutiful crew. There is a reason that you can watch a (bootleg? never) video of the German version of Wicked and it sounds and looks exactly the same as the Broadway version, while still allowing for each actor to bring their personalities to the roles. There's a reason Stephen doesn't allow willy-nilly riffing (every note in a riff has to be approved ahead of time or you get written up). He has remained true to his (and Winnie's) original vision and has never let anything get in the way of that.
That being said, I'm nervous about two films. When I saw it the first time, I thought, "How on earth can they top the end of the second act??" and then they did. But was it the BUILD UP to the ending that topped the second act song Defying Gravity? I think it was. I don't think if we'd come back a year later and watched the end of the second act "For Good" would've had the same impact. I'm nervous. But the bottom line, really, is can anything ever be as good as the first time you saw, live and in person above your head, Elphaba flying and singing "...and nobody, in all of Oz, no Wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring MEEEEE DOOOOOWWWWWNNNNNNN..."? I say no. See it live.
Is that really true about having to approve every riff?
Worldwide productions aren't the same because of Schwarz. They are the same because that is what audiences expect. Long before Wicked, international productions of many shows have been carbon copies of the Broadway production.
Honestly this felt like a cash grab from the moment they cast Ariana grande in the role. I’m not saying she wouldn’t do a good job, I just think there are several actors who are better suited for the role. But as you said I trust the director and trust that he would make the right choices for adapting the show.
As for the two movie structure, I agree with everything you said. There is a low chance the movie won’t perform well, due to having the big names of wicked and Ariana grande behind it. But yeah the second film would feel tacked on to all the epicness of the first act. Additionally, I feel the full circle structure of the show would be less impactful with two movies, and I doubt they would change the funeral scene at the beginning because no one mourns the wicked is a great openning number.
I am holding my excitement for this movie till we get an actual trailer. I am not very hopeful for this adaptation. But aspect like the director and senthia erivo in the lead role makes me looking forward to seeing what they are going to do with it
Have you ever heard anybody sing The wizard and I like Ariana grande did. It is only because Ariana Grande's vocal range Capacity is more like the character elphaba
Jon did say they want to stay true to the source material and is adding elements of both the novel and musical. I can't wait to see what they plan on adding from the book. I'm also curious to listen to the 3 new songs and whatever song they are adding that was cut from the Broadway show... I'm hoping it's making good.
I could see having an intermission after "Defying Gravity." It's not as if that hasn't been done before. "The Sound of Music," for example. An intermission lets you glow in the dynamic end-of-act number, lets the adrenaline run its course, and, perhaps via an entr'acte, get back to the movie at a lower emotional level but with expectations. You know...present it like the theatrical musical comedy it is.
It'll be interesting - if they release them simultaneously I wonder if they'll do back-to-back showings/admissions. I can't imagine paying twice to see two halves of what is one show.
The only thing I could add to your concerns is that *potentially*, Act 1 of Wicked could be seen as a self-contained story. Green girl turns wicked, breaks free to do her own thing with 'Defying Gravity' - ah yes, that concludes the story of how the Wicked Witch of the West came to be. A certain percentage of the audience is going to be totally new to the story, having never seen it in the theatre, and are they going to think the end of Movie 1 is the end of the story? Will they come back for Act/Movie 2?
Positives: we may get great new songs. Characters without many songs might get more to do. (Nessa, Morrible, Boq)
Negatives: the story isn’t a surprise to anyone who’ll be going, even the non musical theater fan. Therefore, it seems meaningless to stretch it to two films when everyone knows the ending.
The most signature songs are in ACT1
Unless they pad them, the the movies are going to feel really short, especially the second one. (You’re taking a 2 hr and 40 min show, and breaking it up into two full length movies.)
80 minutes (1 hour 20 minutes, half of what you described) isn't too short for a movie. Sure, a majority of movies with theater releases run at least 90 minutes. But as long as a movie is over an hour, I think it'll do. Plus with the new additions, each movie will be longer anyway.
maybe they can get some from the original source material, Wicked musical is very much different from the book. Same way Les Mis source material is different from the musical.
@@jonathanlopez6953 the problem is the book is SO different from the movie I don’t know that it would work unless they rewrite major parts of the existing musical.
I believe the two parts will film simultaneously (like many other two parters) so we shouldn’t have to worry about them not releasing the entire story. And the more I think about it, the more interested I am in what they are going to do with it. Im not saying it's not a cash grab, as money is definitely a huge factor in that decision, but I can't help but feel like Stephen and Winnie are also huge parts. If you do research about the development of the show, there was tension amongst the creatives and the direction that they wanted to go. I know that there were scenes, songs and story lines that were cut that we may get back with this adaptation. That excites me. I think it also allows for the expansion of several story elements, like Nessa rose's turn to tyranny and her forced relationship with Boq. I would also like to see more backstory with Glinda and Fiyeros political relationship, and further explore Glinda's guilt with choosing the wizard and the pomp and circumstance over Elphaba. Elements that I feel were glossed over in the show. Also, it might be cool to show more of the influence that Dr. Dillamond had over Elphaba, and her decision to try and use her power for good.
I know some people would rather just record the stage version or copy paste it onto a Hollywood set, but what works on stage doesn't necessarily work on screen. This is an adaptation, which means for better of worse changes will be made. If it turns out bad, the stage version is always there.
When I found out about the casting of the Wicked movie, I wasn't hooked. I'm not sure how to feel about Ariana Grande playing Glinda after something like Hairspray Live. I think Cynthia Erivo will be incredible. I'm also not sure how songs like "Defying Gravity" will play on screen. I think Jon M. Chu did a great job on "In the Heights". Making the movie two parts does seem like a cash grab to me. Plus, part two comes out a year after part one. I agree it would be weird to go in to just see act two of a musical.
I’m not jumping to the cash grab conclusion. But I am surprised
Reminder that Cynthia Erivo made anti black comments about Black Americans while simultaneously playing Black American heroines, Celie and Harriet, I wish they would have chosen someone else
@@audramcdonaldapologist3676 wait I’ve never heard of this
@@marinettedorien8236 yup there’s an article about it from the grio that talks about it
Ariana has been working overtime with her vocal and acting ever since before her audition, not to mention she has kristin herself as a mentor. She saw the original cast and has been passionate about this show ever since. I have faith in her.
In a world where we are willing to sit through over-stretched Marvel movies and James Cameron is DARING people to complain about the length of his new Avatar movie, the only reason for splitting a musical movie in two is for a cash grab. If they film both parts at the same time they can release them both even if the first one is a flop. The trouble is that while the musical has a two-act structure, films have a three-act structure so Wicked will need to have six act breaks in total. Lindsay Ellis' videos on the Hobbit trilogy explains this (and why it's a bad idea) really well.
lol all lo z
I brought up marvel movies top😂😂😂
Would love to see the story padded out with more of the original story from the book: the political subtext, the subversion of the whole terrorism/freedom fighter motif, etc. there’s loads from the book which could be amazing in a 2-part film, but it doesn’t necessarily speak to the “teenage girl” audience.
I honestly don’t think Chu is ready to direct that movie lol
I totally agree 👍 if it's going to be a 2 parter than make it darker and more adult with elements from the book 📖
Wicked came out in 2003, teenage girls are absolutely not the target demographic.
I really think that's the way that they're gonna go. Some of the things condensed for the musical made for awkward plot points.
Good point, though maybe there will be an audience given when I was a teen, I ate up dystopia YA especially Hunger games and just that there are many in that generation who are politically aligned or young activists. They would appreciate it not being dumbed down
Interesting fact: Mamma Mia - Here We Go Again was greenlit as a result of Wicked not happening (again) but universal had the studio booked and needed to fill it ….. amazing how these things come about. The turn around for MM2 was SO fast for a movie!
Mickey Jo: "it's a cash grab!"
Me: " like the freaking Hobbit"
Mickey Jo: L I K E T H E H O B B I T
I have a lot of faith in Ariana. I don't need faith in Cynthia - I know she will be AMAZING. I would trust the woman with my life, that's how much I trust her.
As for the logo... it looks like Monster Energy and I hate it.
And in regards to it being a two-parter... I'm not digging that idea. It reminds me of how a few years back, EVERYTHING had to be in two parts. It just feels like a money-grab or like the people working on it aren't good enough to make an adaption. It's not a good sign.
The logo is definitely giving Monster :/
Welp I will be unable to unsee Monster Energy now! Totally agree with you here.
I don’t fully oppose the two parter idea. Cynthia I’ve wanted since Harriet and Ariana I have a bit of confidence
I love the way you think, "Monster"😂. I also feel like movie making is losing touch with the notion of making a compelling story with one film to do it...
Reminder that Cynthia Erivo is anti-black and made anti-black comments to AA and didn’t really apologize
Part two is just gonna be the wizard of oz featuring songs from wicked
Didnt think of that, but if its the case watching Wizard of Oz from the Witches point of view might be a turning table moment for me...
I had not heard that they were splitting the film in two until this - I feel like it could be quite easy to loose the momentum the show by splitting it in two, especially when the hugely successful musical indicates that you can tell that story in a 'standard film time'. If it's split in two, I think people are definitely less likely to re-watch it than they would with a single film. I do sometimes wonder just how many adaptations would be split into multiple parts if Deathly Hallows hadn't been split.
very true and Deathly Hallows wasn't even the lengthiest book in the series...
@@veb_edvard Part 2 was better than Part 1. But with Hunger Games Mockingjay it was the reverse
@@manuelorozco7760 right on!
@@veb_edvard Thank you. I was a bit more of a Harry Potter fan that I was of the Hunger Games. Although I missed their respective first installments in theaters.
It's interesting to me that you didn't once mention the Wicked book in this video. Have you read it? I ask this because my hope is that by dividing the production into 2 films they will bring in a lot more of the book's story that was cut from the stage musical. The book is structured very differently than the musical. It spends significantly less time at school with the girls and way more time focusing on the years afterword between university and the end of Wizard of Oz. There's an entire arc where Elphaba is working as a spy/insurrectionist/revolutionary in the Emerald City before she leaves to become the Wicked Witch of the West. I would love to see more of this narrative unfold on film.
Same here! I really like the novel
I always felt Glinda had the more interesting story line in the Second Act, and the details of how she defeated incredible evil felt somewhat rushed and perfunctory in the musical. If I were making the film in to two films, I would absolutely detail Glinda's second act story more, and crescendo Part II towards a new, big, rousing 11th Hour Song for Glinda right before "For Good." It makes total sense they'd want to give Ariana a new big song to belt anyway.
I have no objection if that new song is the case. But I imagine she won’t want too much treatment. There was supposed to be a new song for Ariana as Penny in Hairspray Live. She wanted nothing new besides the end duet with Jennifer Hudson
I mean, they probably scaled Glinda’s storyline back because the story is technically about Elphaba. Glinda truly is a supporting character in hindsight, she serves as a means to show Elphaba’s transformation as a witch. She was never meant to have an 11 o’clock number.
The Wicked movie part 2 will consist of nothing but Dr. Dillamond's backstory final answer
*snort* hahahaha
Honestly the more I hear about the wicked movie, the less I want to see it. My reason comes back to two points and they are Ariana and Gregory Maguire’s Book that the musical is based off of.
1. Not once have I ever heard Ariana annunciate, I am also willing to let her surprise me but that girl is not a soprano and she cannot annunciate. I’m just worried this is going to be a repeat of the Emma Watson as Belle where I look at a character that I used to love and resent them because the actor ruined them. (In Emma’s case she was so auto tuned it made me cringe that whole movie)
2. I’m not sure if you’ve ever read the book by Gregory Maguire but, even though I enjoyed it, they should not incorporate more elements from the book into the movie. I worry by making this into two movies they’re going to incorporate more of the books into it. Yes there are fun elements but those are mostly incorporated in already. The book is deep dive into the politics of Oz. And it is a lot. I would not want to watch that adapted to a big screen because to be honest that would be boring to watch, it’s fun to read but not fun to watch.
If you look at older videos of Ariana Grande (there's one of her singing "What It Means to Be a Friend" that's pretty good), she definitely used to be able to enunciate. I'm not sure what happened there. I'd hoped maybe she'd get back to that style in Hairspray, but she was still mumbling there.
listen to her singing i wont say i’m in love from hercules, she can slay broadway songs when she chooses to use that singing style
I agree with what you said, basing the movie off of themes in the book will tarnish Winnie Holzman's treatment on the story. The movie might need more backstory to sequential events because of the transitions of scenes in the play. I do not see Ariana singing the movie in accordance to the musical's portrayal of the character. She will riff and run like the hills on her numbers. Cynthia will have great conviction in the more dramatic scenes and her singing will be belt and nothing else. No other cast details have been released which will indicate a hit or miss for the film and therefore creating a triumph or injustice to the beloved musical...
@@ewanthomson2515 I loved her take on it
The podcast episode with Ariana Grande by Eric Vietro, her vocal coach, might help assuage some concerns with her. Grande's enunciation in her pop songs is largely a stylistic choice; it sells, and it's what she wants her pop sound to be. In the podcast, she sings some of her pop songs in a more classical style. There's also a compilation someone has put up with Grande singing Wicked songs in a more theatre-style.
Also Grande said on the Voice that she was losing her voice during Hairspray Live? So, here's to hoping that is not indicative of how she will act in the Wicked movies.
The other concerns though…
Good luck to us allz
Since Gregory Maguire was consulted about the stage show, I wonder if he's involved with the movie? If they meld more of the book into the musical (in a smart way), I'm all for 2 movies!
Yes my thoughts exactly, so much to unpack from the book(s)
@@PipReads That’s what I’m betting too
If they play their cards right, they could truly create a two-movie, original musical that covers the last three books. The fan base is there and it could turn into a pared-down stage show. They just have to do it properly.
@@TheCurt82 I never read the book but I don’t oppose the idea
@@manuelorozco7760 The book (and the series) deals with a LOT of content that makes you understand every character better. If you do to want to read it, definitely find the audiobook. It is more than worth it!
Back in the 1950s and 1960s films such as WICKED were released as Reserved Seat Engagements with Overtures, Intermissions, Entre’Acts, and Exit Music. There were no previews shown, and programs were sold in the lobby. It basically mirrored going to see a Broadway show. So the WICKED film is a 4 hour movie, then present both Acts One & Two in one showing (like it’s presented on Broadway) with a 15 minute intermission and be done with it. This is how MY FAIR LADY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, FUNNY GIRL, CAMELOT and HELLO, DOLLY! we’re all originally presented, in select Cities for the initial engagement. And all in single screen cinemas with curtains, adding to the Broadway aura. Actually all cinemas had curtains in front of the screens in those days, up until the early 90s, when advertising on the screen became ‘de rigueur’ before the show started.
I hear that a lot of plot elements from the novel will be added to the film, but I wonder how that will work with the musical's vast differences from the book. The novel and the musical are very different from each other.
They might pull some stuff from the book(s) that didn't make the musical to fill out some of the time. There is a lot of stuff in it, that even keeping the more family friendly tone of the musical, you can get some additional material to expand on the lore (and find inspiration for inevitable oscar bait original songs). I would say I'm cautiously optimistic that it could work.
Wow the last time I was this early Micheal was still in the bathroom
I WISH Wicked Witch of the East was on the cast recording. Love that part so much. But it’s defiantly more just singing narration than it is an actual song.
I really wish Dove Cameron could have been Glinda. She would have been perfect. Perfect voice,look, talent, everything.
Incidentally a friend of mine knows John Chu and the WICKED film, Parts One & Two are being filmed back to back. Physical production will last for up to a year, with Part Two still being worked on, as Part One is released.
How passionate he has said in previous reports has gave me confidence
Cynthia is 35 years old and Ariana is 29...and they haven't started filming...AND the story takes place mostly when they are in college.
Well, they could probably get some pointers from the hair and makeup team from Dear Evan Hansen, I guess! *hurk*
@@darsynia Dear Evan Hanson was embarrassing...Ben looked WAY Too old!
I mean Kristin was 35 and Idina was 32 then again that was on stage but Cynthia and Ariana could pass as college kids especially Ariana
@@audramcdonaldapologist3676 While I agree with you, I do think film is quite different and we saw that styling really really matters in what they did to Ben Platt. The filmmakers are going to want audiences that aren’t just people who saw Wicked in the theater, and it is much harder to sell those roles as the age that they’re meant to be when the camera is going to be much closer. Basically I just really hope that they take the lessons they have already been taught in other films and apply them to this.
I’m sure their chemistry will compensate
All I see when I look at that logo is Monster Energy Drinks
Same
Thanks!
I can see them just doing two films for the cash grab. In older musical film adaptions, they used an interlude after what the end of act 1 would be. Wicked could easily use this and would also give people a short break to take in what they just saw before continuing. And have even said how long it would be between the two films? If it’s too long then people might lose interest but if it’s too short then people might wait until the second one comes out and watch them back to back which could mean the first film looses money and could halt the second films release. I’m also hoping they include more music and expand the story because if not then each film is going to be about 1 hour and people might not want to see a short film like that and feel it’s a wasted trip to the cinema money wise. Also as someone who currently works in a cinema I’m already gearing up for people complaining to me about the films being in two parts and jokingly saying if they can have half their money back since they technically only saw half a film and me trying not to shout at them.
I think it's been said that there will be a year between releases but I'm not sure if that's been officially confirmed?
Was waiting for your take on this.
Another example is Dreamgirls; And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going. Condon just got on with things. I don't like this two movie concept. Wicked isn't that complex.
It's ABSOLUTELY a cash grab. I agree with basically everything you said. And I have a really bad feeling that the first movie is gonna tank the second one.
Hi Mickeyjo. I read the novel and it was so much like hard work! I didn't see the musical after spending months reading the book, but I need to x how do I feel about the film ??? Hmmm
Like most great stage musicals (especially recent ones) what makes them work on stage is the pure theatricality of the experience. When we see a musical on stage, we willingly engage in a shared suspension of disbelief that is part of the magic. The live (often amazing) stagecraft is part of the event. BUT film is by its nature a PASSIVE experience -- you watch it happen. That's why few musicals transcend the transition to film. I am looking at YOU, Tom Hooper!
That's one aspect I loved about Speilberg's WWS -- he made it cinematic yet managed to maintain the subtext of theatricality in the staging and production design. I feel the same about the Disney filming of the theatrical version of HAMILTON. A literal adaptation with real sets and locations would rob the show of its values.
I fear much of the true magic of WICKED will be lost because the filmmakers will see the movie as an opportunity to overproduce it for the screen. I am a Canadian who has seen some of the same shows on Broadway as well as in the West End - without exception, the UK productions have been far better simply because the Americans have this "foot-long hotdog" mindset that BIGGER is automatically BETTER. As the Gershin boys once said, "It Ain't Necessarily So"...
As a former Wicked obsessed teen now entering my thirties, I am convinced that there is no Wicked movie and never will be. This is just a scam. Telling us there are two movies is just a way to get more time to continue this charade. As you said, I will believe it when I see it.
I’ll be 30 in February but I’m not giving up
I wonder this too. Seems impossible to make a movie out of it. I would like it, but it seems too big of a challenge.
Wicked is still my favorite show of all time, and so I don't think it's likely that this movie will be an improvement. That said, I've been trying to be ambivalent about all of these announcements and remain willing to be impressed, as you say. I am also skeptical that 2 movies are mostly a cash grab because as much as I love the show, I can think of many things that could be cut or shortened to make it 2.5 hours. (The Wizards songs are first on the chopping block for me.) I'm also concerned about what new material they will use to pad the movies out. I will reserve judgment. I just hope the movie doesn't kill stage ticket sales.
I agree Wonderful is an egocentric song and A Sentimental Man is a facade song and don't move the plot forward, his deception is more pivotal to the story. The new material they could include is a more in depth take on the prologue and the time dragon clock, Elphaba rescuing more animals, Glinda lamenting over Elphie's disappearance, a new song for Fiyero about his conflict in loving Elphaba but not wanting to break Glinda's heart, a scene with Dorothy and the gang discussing their personal vendettas on Elphaba. The release dates also eludes me, Wicked is not a movie for Christmas time, Halloween is more appropriate...
@@veb_edvard cutting the Wizard's songs also means you open up a wider pool of actors who can play the role since the singing requirements are gone
@@veb_edvard First you’re right about the Christmas release date. Secondly, I would cut Sentimental Man and keep Wonderful
@@wizardofoz93 I’m not sure since I don’t live in UK
I'm hoping it's 2 parts not just for the money, but because they want to dig deep into the story. No one wants to sit in a 4 hour movie (I would but that's just me) so splitting it might work. But if each part is only 1 1/2 hours then get out, it's not worth making it 2 parts. With that logo, Wicked doesn't mean just evil/bad now, Wicked is now cool and extreme like Monster Energy. I guess Ariana gets on a motor bike and does some tricks while singing For Good or something.
I feel like I've been excited for a Wicked movie for so many years that I'm kind of over it now. The announcement of it being two films does not fill me with hope. I'd rather they just release a proshot of one of the stage shows, for fans who don't have access to it live. The most famous/recognisable songs (other than For Good) are in Act 1. I have no idea how they can make a whole film from Act 2?? Maybe if they focus more on the origin of the tin man/lion and the Dorothy bit? I'll still watch them of course but it really does seem like a cash grab!
I would have wanted a proshot years ago. But I’ve been wanting a Wicked movie since 2007
I’m ok with 2 movies depending on how they expand the story. Some people think they will add content from the original book. The problem with that is the story on the book is tonaly very different from the musical and wouldn’t really work. Although casting fiero closer to his description in the book would be an interesting choice.
Well in fact good point actually we have a person of colour as Fiero even in the current west end cast
@@christinasamuel3947 I believe there has been a person of color in the broadway cast at one point. However none have had the diamonds on his skin yet.
@@thomasbradley4505 good point that is one of the things our one is missing in fact out of everyone white actor who has played the role this is as close we are going to get on the west end so far unless it is are Asian understudy who is a back up for wicked but he is in a different musical now
Two movies... that's at least 3 hours (probably more, movies are usually close to 2 hours nowadays), and thats quite a lot more than the original show. I'm really afraid of the show being padded, and let's be honest here, i think Wicked already had some pacing issues in the beginning. It seems really complicated to do it that way, i don't know. With a stage musical you test the things you add, and sometimes even cut things... with a movie you can't do that.
I think it needs to be in two parts because the story timeline will have some time to breath. It moves very fast on stage, which is amazing, but on film I'm afraid it will feel overwhelming. Just a thought.
That's a really good point.
I’m with you on believing it when I see it. I remember them talking about making a film with the OBC way back in 2004.
Omg hey, love your videos! I’m having trouble hearing you in this one just fyi. Something to do with your mic. Camera looks great though. PS the logo definitely gives me Monster Energy vibes
I would love for the 2nd part to pad out her acts in the resistance that they don't really expand on in the musical.
Also, Wicked does not have a happy ending. I do think it will be interesting ending the second movie with how the first one started (if they even keep No One Mourns the Wicked), but the movie will not end in a good note if they plan to be faithful. Elphaba is "dead", Fiyero is a [REDACTED], the Wizard is exiled, Glinda is sad her friend died. I think they are going to pad the second movie with a Wizard of Oz storyline, and the second year will be used to promote our new Dorothy. But yeah, Wicked 2 will not end in a happy ending, falling flat compared to the powerhouse that will be Defying Gravity.
I think of it as bittersweet
I never knew that they were making a wicked movie. I love Broadway and musicals but I’ll admit it I’m a more casual fan than someone who’s super knowledgeable and invested in broadway. I really like wicked so I plan to see the film, my only hope is that they keep the music more Broadway and not make the songs more poppy ie Ariana’s solo music. Ariana has a beautiful voice but I don’t think her most recent albums do it any justice. You’re right when you say though that this movie is off to a good start, it already has two built in fan bases so I’m sure it will be successful monetarily, hopefully it’s also successful creatively and not just a forgotten blip in film like that wizard of Oz movie with Mila Kunis which I COMPLETELY forgot existed until you mentioned it lol
Risk with 2 parter is if part 1 doesn’t box office, part 2 won’t go and most of the best songs are in in part 1 - has to be a single film. New material is always weak
The logo is also giving Disney's Descendants for me
I get "Haunted Mansion" from the Parks
I'm dying to see these movies, but I don't see any point in watching one half of a stage show. I'll probably just wait until they're both available on streaming so I can watch them back to back.
My *first* thought was The Hobbit. I actually had been a LOTR and Hobbit fan since I was a kid, I was obsessed with the LOTR films and all of the behind the scenes stuff about Weta digital and the writing process-- but as a fan, I deliberately stepped back and have not seen *any* of the Hobbit films despite trusting the team making them, because I felt it was a sell-out move. Heck, Martin Freeman is one of my favorite actors! But I thought it was such a compromised decision to make, and I feel the same way here. Hearing that it'll be two films stripped away nearly all of my faith in the process and I am likely to just skip out on looking forward to this. I am a weirdo who often would rather avoid watching/listening to things if I think I'll be disappointed, though (hence watching 1 season of Umbrella Academy and 2 seasons of Stranger Things, and stopping there), so I'm likely in the minority.
I thought the Hobbit movies were kind of painful 😂 I love the book and grew up with the cartoon.
I don't think there's anything they could really move from the 1st to the 2nd part to even it out like with Les Mis or In The Heights, but fortunately they have a whole long book to draw on for new material.
Not to mention Baum’s original fourteen novels.
@@brennanmaynard4237 Both make excellent points
We know why.
Mr Krabs: MONEY!
Both films are being filmed back to back, sets are already being built, rehearsals are starting soon, and filming starts in October... which doesn't leave long between filming and the release date in 2023
2024
@@manuelorozco7760 oops. My mistake. Yes, the release in 2024.
At this point, I would rather have a ProShot of Wicked than a film adaptation.
Thanks
Just wanted to say you’ve been looking especially great this week! Idk what it is!
I think it should be noted that Winnie Holzman, was responsible for adapting Stephen Schwartz's original novel and bringing it to the stage. I'm shocked that I haven't heard her name being tossed around more... After schwartz, we really have her to thank for bringing this amazing show to us in the first place. Also, if my memory serves me correct, "Wicked," was originally slated to be a movie....not a Broadway musical. Which doesn't surprise me, the original "Wizard of Oz," was more of a play with music rather than a big Broadway blockbuster. Initially "Wicked" I believe, was to follow the same pattern... But it never got it's studio legs... For some reason and got benched... Then some how made it's way to broadway. For me, knowing that this amazing musical was originally slated to be a movie, I'm shocked at it's tardy arrival to the big screen. And while I may be scoffed at for saying this.... And even though I love Arianna Grande, and I'm sure what ever her name is from the U.K. is.... I would MUCH RATHER SEE IDINA AND KRISTIN reprising their roles... Or at least casting young versions of them in the first movie, and having them take over in the second movie. I mean what's make up for any way??? Right ..??? LONG LIVE IDINA AND KIRSTIN!!!!!!
Yes, I heard Schwartz say that all the credit should really go to Winnie.
I feel that I've seen wicked so many times over the years. I am excited to see an expanded wicked regardless of whether the movie ends up being a two act car crash or two act marvel.
I haven’t seen Wicked since 2007. I’m long overdue
The logo on the poster reminds me so much of the Monster energy drink
I know different people have expressed confusion as to why a 2 part movie and I agree money has to be the key factor and nothing wrong with that.
The idea of doing two movies means you have got to make us want to see the second half. Because how often have we had to wait a year or more to see the next chapter? All to often we loose interest if we have to wait to long. Here's a thought the first half may be fleshed out more about their backgrounds to stretch the running time and beefed up so when it ends on Defying Gravity it leaves you wanting more if nothing else the special fx will blow our mind's. No matter what finely Wicked will be out there.
I lost it at "its giving me Wiffendor " 🤣🤣 totally agree the logos look alike!
Maybe they could release both parts of Wicked on the same day, similar to how the Harry Potter play used to work before being revamped/reimagined into only 1 show.
This way you could see Wicked part 1 and then if you arectoo tired you could see Wicked Part II another day.
Yeah I won’t hold my breath either I was super excited for a wicked film 15 years ago now I’ll wait till I know it’s really happening. I am pleased they are trying to do it again, I hope they do film both together just in case.
That’s how long since I’ve seen the stage version. I’m overdue beyond. I do hope they film together too
They might be able to incorporate plots from the book into the movie.
don't really know where to leave this comment so I'll just leave it here
Video idea: do a ranking for all the (well-known?) movie adaptations of musicals
would love to hear your thoughts on them!
Fanny Brice was Beanie F’s dream role and look what happened there!
So the first movie is gonna end with the song the show is known for and then we have to wait a year for the second movie
I first thought cash grab too. I think if they read the book and use some of what is not on stage from the book, it won't be like random inserted material. If they focus on the flying monkeys and make them look incredible and have a lot of them that would look incredible. If they release one Christmas and the other in the Summer, it could work. Christmas release for both is too long a wait. If they hired Ali Stroker. who is in a wheelchair and won the Tony for Oklahoma, who would be amazing as Nessa Rose and they can reinstate her song. It would support handicapped performers and give them a reason to support her. Let's all cross our fingers.
Great video! Very thorough! ❤️
The Wicked stage show is the 1rst to be bankrolled by a movie company, Warner Brothers. They always intended to 'movie' it.
Universal , not WB
Wicked and Wizard of Oz aren't the same, although Wicked just gives an idea of what might have happened before Judy drops her house....
You know I’m so happy this is happening but if they make this some carbon copy with it’s life and soul sucked out of it I will cry
First of all, Wicked has made me the musical theatre geek I am today. Secondly the only more recent stage to screen adaptations I have watched are the Prom, In the Heights and West Side Story. I’m not often drawn to them. Third, I’m surprised they are putting the Wicked Story into two parts but Defying Gravity ending Part One totally fair.
"I am willing to be impressed" is the BEST quote. I need that on a pillow!!
You do need to remember during the out of town tryout of wicked Steven and Winnie walked out basically saying our way or the high way. So if he doesn’t get his way all hell will break loose
But that's leaning on the idea that he retained some rights to influence the movie production...
I'm definitely cautious of the 2 movie structure for wicked because I'm scared they won't be able to fill out 2 movies. Movies are getting longer nowadays, so I see no reason to not fit a 2.5h stage musical into a 3h movie other than wanting to make more money. I get that wicked is harder to tell all at once compared to west side story, tik tik boom, or in the hights since those stories take place over a week or less while wicked has time jumps and a story that most likely spans over years; but I doubt that is enough of an issue to justify splitting a 2.5h show into two 2h movies. Hopefully they will look towards the source material (the book 'Wicked: The life and times of the wicked witch of the west') rather than just filling it with fluff they come up with; but I'm hesitant to believe they will.
If other movie musicals with big iconic Act1 finales work as one movie then surely they could sort this out. Regardless of what you think of my examples think of the songs in question....Les Miz, Dreamgirls, West Side Story
I wish they would have a three hour musical like Fiddler on the Roof. That’s all. Genius.
Or the Sound of Music
I am not really clear for the need for a part two.
And to a little ageist, the composer is a lot older now. And her recent show, Donkey Kong, sorry Prince of Egypt sow he is not firing on all cylinders.
I also thought the logo reminded me of that energy drink one.
I haven’t seen his work since the 2013 revival of Pippin
The logo reminds me so much of Monster energy
The logo W is the font from the original novel that the musical is based on.
I swear to God, if the Wicked movie will result in the theater production going the way DEH did...
...I WILL RIOT.
Also, if Grande doesn't do something about her enunciation... I WILL ALSO RIOT.
With the 2 movies being announced together, i think they will film they all at once like the Lord of The Rings trilogy was made, and if that is it, is a good thing, shows that the studios is really betting on the movie. And YES, act 2 has less memorable songs and character development, but that can also be a chance of further exploring the plot, show as MORE of what is happening
Thank you for bringing up the brilliance of In The Heights being ignored. I've been fuming about that for a while 😅
The movie didn’t go above or below my expectations. It was so beautiful
I get it being a two parter. Like maybe the the first part is their school years with the ending climax/cliffhanger being Defying Gravity. Then the second part being like the rest just more fleshed out.
But I’m excited!! Wicked is one of my all time favorite musicals (I still remember seeing the OG cast). But yeah no that logo is trash NGL 😂
I honestly think presenting Wicked as a 2 part film is the right way to go without cutting any major songs. I believe Part 1 will end with Defying Gravity and then Part 2 will start with a time skip leading into Thank Goodness
@@hunterhuiet2785 Me too. I have trouble picturing the transition in one single movie
@@hunterhuiet2785 you seem to have skipped a bunch of movie musicals to say that. If a song gets chopped for the film it is because it serves no purpose to the story. If you still want those songs the musical is playing all over the country for that reason...
@@veb_edvard I get what you are saying. But we are talking about a musical movie that has been in development for a very long time. This was in deployment hell longer than In The Heights was. If you were directing the feature film adaption of Wicked, what song or songs would you cut and why?
A two part movie like it's 2011 again... yay
I would have preferred Wicked as 1 film 🎥
I think they kinda needed to make it 2 parts because unlike Lesmis, in the hights and Dear Evan Hanson there is a pretty big time jump between acts and a very sudden change in momentum with the time jump
I've seen Wicked a few times in my city, but don't remember seeing a Nessa number. Was this cut for touring? Is this a thing that happens? I'm a complete theater novice.
I think the studio will have more input in the direction. They really want this movie to win (as in, to quote you, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney:)) since the theatrically released musicals so far haven't done well. Noteven Spielberg's West Side Story.
I wasn’t in much of a hurry to see West Side Story anyway. I waited until Disney Plus