Wicked (2022 Film)

Wicked is an upcoming musical fantasy buddy film adaption of the musical based on the book series. It is to be released by Universal Studios. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. John M. Chu is set to direct the film. In May 2017, Schwartz stated that the film would feature "at least two" new songs. This film will star Ariana Grande, Ali Stoker, Isac Cole Powell, Cynthia Erivo, Jeremy Jordan, Norbert Leo Butz, David Hyde Pierce, and Barbra Streisand. Filming took place in the U.K. in June 2021, and had wrapped production on November 2021.

The film is scheduled to be released during Christmastime on December 21st, 2022.

Plot
The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West

Cast

 * Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba
 * Isaac Cole Powell as Boq
 * Ariana Grande as Glinda
 * Ali Stroker as Nessarose
 * Jeremy Jordan as Fiyero
 * Nobert Leo Butz as The Wizard
 * Robbie Fairchild as Chistery
 * David Hyde Pierce as Doctor Dillamond
 * Barbra Streisand as Madame Morrible
 * Idina Menzel as The Witch's Mom
 * Sean McCourt as The Witch's Dad
 * Kristen Chenoweth will have a cameo appearance in the film.

Production
A film adaptation of Wicked had been discussed since 2004, though producers were waiting for a dip in the stage musical's earnings. By 2012, Universal was reported to be producing the film with Stephen Daldry as director and Winnie Holzman who wrote the musical's book to pen the screenplay. Marc Platt who helped to develop the musical will also be part of this project while his company is set to co-produce The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (film) with New Line Cinema.

Universal announced in 2016 that the film would be released in theaters in December 2019, with Daldry attached to direct it with the script to be co-written by the musical's creators Holzman and Schwartz. In May 2017, Schwartz stated that the film would feature "at least two" new songs. On February 8th, 2019, Universal announced a release date of December 22nd, 2021 but on April 1st, 2020, they announced it might be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic because of the shakeup in the film industry.

However on October 20th, 2020, Daldry left the production due to scheduling conflicts according to Variety. On February 3rd, 2021 it was announced it would now be directed by Jon M. Chu.

On April 12th, 2021, it was announced that Ariana Grande, and Cynthia Erivo had been cast in the musical film adaption of a broadway musical based on the book series. On April 21st, 2020, shortly afterwards, Barbra Streisand had been cast for the role as Madame Morrible alongside David Hyde Pierce playing as Doctor Dillamond.

On May 2021, Ali Stoker, Jeremy Jordan, Isaac Cole Powell, and Nobert Leo Butz had been cast for the film, and the film had begun productions one month later in June 2021 in the U.K. On June 2021, Robbie Fairchild and Sean McCourt had been cast in the film the same month that the movie had begun filming.

On July 2nd, 2021, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth had been cast in the film.

The film had wrapped productions on November 2021.

Release
Wicked is set to be release during Christmastime on December 21st, 2022 from Universal, alongside The Flintstones movie from Warner Bros. Animation Studios.