Chris Murphy from Vanity Fair noted, “The way that Glinda works in the story, it’s so funny and there are so many comedic moments, but as it goes on, she becomes the unsuspecting heart and a sympathetic character.” The original author of the novel Wicked also shared his thoughts in a post on X from Wicked News Hub on the performances, stating, “I watched Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the cameras rolled. Their ability to inhabit their characters and Jonathan Bailey’s ability too were intimidatingly powerful.” Given the original author’s praise, fans are likely to trust his words and hope to experience the same emotions while watching Grande and Erivo’s performances. Ultimately, everyone involved needs to give their best effort and strive to exceed their usual standards if they want to impress the audience.

Plot

Sticking to the plot of a story isn’t the most challenging task, but when films are pressed for time, they often can’t include every detail from the original book, game, or musical. This is especially true for Wicked, where fans are eager to see the essence of the story preserved. They want the film to maintain the same flow and emotional depth that the stage production offered, ensuring that key scenes are included. While fans aren’t necessarily expecting a verbatim retelling of the musical, they do hope to see beloved moments and memorable quotes brought to life on screen. These elements are essential in capturing the spirit of Wicked and connecting with the audience. Viewers want to experience those iconic scenes that made them fall in love with the musical in the first place. It’s about creating a balance and honoring the source material while adapting it for a new format.

According to ScreenRant, the decision to split the film into two parts has allowed filmmakers the opportunity to explore the characters’ relationships more deeply. This approach enables them to include scenes that are either newly created for the film or taken directly from Gregory Maguire’s novel and L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Some of these newly added scenes have been modified to enhance the audience’s understanding of the characters, providing a richer narrative experience. Ultimately, the goal is for the film to resonate with both long-time fans and newcomers, providing a familiar yet fresh experience that stays true to the heart of Wicked.

Will It Meet Fans’ Expectations?

The Wicked musical has been captivating audiences for over a decade and continues to thrive. This longevity means that fans have plenty to look forward to time and time again. When the trailer for the film was released, excitement surged amongst the audience. So far, there has been a lot of positive buzz about the upcoming film, positioning it as one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. Let’s hope the filmmakers do justice to the beloved Wicked fandom.

Watch Wicked in theaters on November 22!