We’re finally seeing the magic of Wicked. This week, the trailer for the highly anticipated musical film (part one of a two-part adaptation of the book and musical) The film stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and this first full trailer is a look at the role each of them plays from costumes to their character chemistry!
Fans of the Broadway stage musical Wicked will recognize a lot of what the trailer has to offer. Glinda’s not-so-friendly introduction to her boarding school roommate and Elphaba’s slow transition from awkward girl to powerful witch. A first listen to Ariana’s recording of “Popular” and Cynthia and Ari’s duet of “Defying Gravity.” So many magical effects.
Even for those who have never seen Wicked, the magic of The Wizard of Oz lingers in its musical prequel. From the Emerald City of Oz sparkling as the backdrop of more than one scene to flying monkeys and an eerie Wizard, Oz is alive and bigger than ever.
The Wicked trailer is a glimpse at the transformation in Glinda and Elphaba’s relationship from frenemy to friends, but it may actually focus more on Elphaba’s hidden power. The green-skinned witch is more powerful than most, and the trailer shows her learning to tap into her rare magic in ways that not only earn her the respect of her teachers (and even Glinda!), but also put her in opposition to the infamous Wizard and his power over the city of Oz.
After tracking the Wicked film adaptation for years, seeing a full trailer is a magical experience. Stops and starts, directorial changes, and even a surprise announcement that the film would be split in two have left fans hungrier and hungrier for content. The countdown has officially started! We’ll be seeing Oz through the eyes and voices of Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang (Pfannee), Ethan Slater (Boq), Peter Dinklage (Dr. Dillamond the Goat), Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard of Oz), and more as well as director Jon M. Chu (In the Heights).
Take in every magical moment below.