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For several years, fans of the musical fantasy genre have been eagerly waiting for theWickeduniverse to take center stage on the big screens. So, fans were overjoyed when Jon M. Chu brought forth the movie based on the 2003 Broadway hit. The pandemic caused a slight delay in the plans, butWicked, the movie, is prepared to tell the tale of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the East.
Further, it would also showcase her school days when she befriended Glinda. Initially, both Elphaba and Glinda are roommates at Shiz University, and from the get-go itself, they can’t stand each other. After a while, they eventually become unusual friends, but their relationship struggles big time when the Wizard and his followers turn people against Elphaba.
She was presented as a villain, and Glinda was admired and praised. It also didn’t help when they fell in love with the same guy named Fiyero, adding more tension to their already strained relationship. Apart from the storyline, the movie also boasts a stellar ensemble of actors, and in this article, we will take a closer look at the top five reasonsWickedcan cross $1 billion at the box office.
5Wicked Has a Massive Built-In Fan Base
Wickedwas one of those Broadway productions that instantly didn’t captivate the viewers and was met with skepticism in 2003. The musical details the story of a good witch, and her usual friendship with the Wicked Witch of the West. Critics were quick to question its dramatic depth despite its catchy tunes and grand production. The New York Times viaIndependentwent as far as to call it a“lumbering, overstuffed $14 m production.”
While they were quick to dismiss its merits, it proved everyone wrong years 13 years later when it crossed thebillion-dollar ticket salesmark in 2016. This further established its fanbase and popularity, with composer Stephen Schwartz alsoaddingwhy it received criticism in the first place. According to him, the musical was dismissed because people misunderstood its intent.
The critics focused more on the grand spectacle rather than the themes of love, friendship, and personal transformation. It also struck a deep chord with people of all ages and presented a story that was very different from the usual romance or male-driven plotlines. While several adaptations have been made on Broadway, the original cast had Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda.
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Both the actresses’ also won a Tony Award for their remarkable performances. It’s a mix of all these elements, that’s most likely to drive up the ticket sales for theAriana Grandestarrer. The screenplay is based on the original book of the same name by Gregory Maguire, and fans of the same would definitely be eager to see how the makers bring the source material to the big screens.
4Star-Studded Ensemble and Creative Team to Bring the Epic Fantasy to Life
Wickedis also perfectly bringing in several high-profile actors at the forefront. Not only that, but pop star Ariana Grande is also in the lead, playing Glinda in the project. Along with her actressCynthia Erivois playing Elphaba, and if the teaser of the upcoming movie is to be believed, both Grande and Erivo are doing a terrific job in their respective roles.
Other than them, Jonathan Bailey, who’s widely popular, thanks to hisBridgertonrole, is also in the project, playing their love interest Fiyero. Combining the star power of all three leads along with Grande’s massive social media presence and popularity, the movie will definitely do wonders at the box office. For instance, Lady Gaga also played a huge role when it came toA Star is Born, earning more than$436 million worldwide.
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On the creative side, director Jon M. Chu is known for his directorial brilliance established in the movieCrazy Rich Asians. On the other hand, composer Stephen Schwartz, who originally contributed to the hit Broadway show, is also involved in the upcoming movie. He will definitely verify that the new movie also has its Broadway roots.
3A Story That Resonates Deeply With the Audience
The main reason why the Broadway adaptation was such a big hit was that it showcased the true nature of relationships out in the open. How people treated Elphaba differently just based on her looks, was something that many can resonate deeply in today’s time. It also presented a complex yet deep female friendship, which was relatively rare in the theatre industry at the time.
The bond between the good and the bad witch as well as their rivalry resonated with women of all age groups. Along with this the hit also had elements of empowerment with Elphaba challenging the traditional norms of good and evil. And Glinda transitioning from her shallow, status-obsessed self to a more mature one.Wickedalso explored cultural as well as societal injustices, which added another layer of authenticity.
2Perfect Timing for a Musical Blockbuster
The last two decades have been a huge testament to the grand appeal that the musical movie industry has. For instance, movies likeMoulin Rouge!, Les Misérables, andLa La Landare all Golden Globe Award winners, and the latter also won six Oscars. Not only this butMamma Mia!andPhantom of the Operaalso enjoyed quite a huge fan following.
Movies also play a huge role in bringing such musicals in a “bigger-than-life” format with technologies such as CGI and stunning sets. For instance,The Greatest Showmanpresented a brilliant mix of choreography and visual effects that took the audience on a realistic fantasy-filled ride. So, given the huge success these movies have had on the bigger screens,Wickedmight receive the same love and popularity when it comes out.
1Wicked Has the Potential to Be an International Success
Wickedhas all the elements that can make it an international blockbuster. With its already-established fan base and pre-sales number, it is bound to shock many. As announced byFandango, the upcoming movie had the third-best first day of pre-sales and the best first-day PG pre-sales of 2024 so far. It also defeated Pixar’sInside Out 2which is currently the highest-grossing movie of the year.
These numbers hint at a huge demand for the upcoming movie, which could easily result in a blockbuster opening. The fan base of the musical plays a huge role in this, with productions of the same traveling to London, Tokyo, and Sydney to name a few. This global reach further establishes the fact that the fans of these countries know whatWickedis all about, thus increasing overseas ticket sales.
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This movie is also coming at a time when movies likeDeadpool & Wolverinehave already established how crucial the international market is for a movie. Now only time will tell if the movie can get into the billion-dollar club or not. But given the elements of the trailer and the star cast it’s surely going to create a great cinematic experience for the audience.
WickedPart 1 is set to hit theatres on June 08, 2025, and Part 2 is scheduled for a release on July 18, 2025.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1436
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
