The cast of the big screen take on the Wicked musical is coming together, as Jeff Goldblum is confirmed to be playing the Wizard.
Of all the stage musicals to be adapted to film, it’s a surprise that it’s taken Wicked such a long time (albeit not for the want of trying). Stephen Schwartz’s hugely popular musical premiered back in 2003, with future Frozen star Idina Menzel in her breakout role as Elphaba, alongside Kristen Chenoweth as Glinda.
The musical serves as a prequel to The Wizard Of Oz, charting Elphaba’s transformation into the iconic Wicked Witch of the West.
With many of the roles already cast, including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba alongside Ariana Grande as Glinda and Jonathan Bailey and Fiyero, we now have confirmation that the great Jeff Goldblum will play the Wizard. It was a role originated in the 1939 film by Frank Morgan, and without spoiling things, it’s quite an important role too.
Many of the creatives from the musical are involved in the film version of Wicked, including writer of the book Winnie Holtzman, who returned to pen the screenplay, and Schwartz, who has penned a new song. Schwartz’s songs are cited as one of the reasons the story is being split into two films, with Defying Gravity seen as such a show-stopping number, it can only serve as a finale to the first part. Jon M Chu will direct.
Wicked is currently filming at Elstree Studios in the UK. Part 1 is due to be released on Christmas Day 2024, with Part 2 following exactly a year later, on Christmas Day 2025.
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