‘Wicked’ Film Release Date Moved Up: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Star

Rejoice, Wicked fans! The eagerly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical will arrive in theaters earlier than expected. The first installment of the two-part ‘Wicked’ movie, directed by Jon M. Chu, is now set to be released on November 22, five days ahead of its initial November 27 date.

This change means ‘Wicked: Part One’ will avoid clashing with the release of Disney’s ‘Moana 2,’ which premieres on November 27. The second part of ‘Wicked’ is still slated for a Thanksgiving 2025 release. Additionally, fans can look forward to ‘Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked,’ a behind-the-scenes special airing on NBC on November 25.

Starring in this star-studded adaptation are Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Grammy Award winner Ariana Grande as Glinda. They are joined by an impressive cast including West End and ‘Bridgerton’ star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ star Ethan Slater as Boq, Emmy winner Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond, 2023 Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, and newcomer Marissa Bode as Nessarose, marking the first time a wheelchair-using actor will portray the role.

Additional cast members include stage and screen star Keala Settle as Miss Coddle, SNL’s Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Bronwyn James as ShenShen, Aaron Teoh as Avaric, and Colin Michael Carmichael as Professor Nikidik. The screen adaptation will feature new songs by Stephen Schwartz, with the screenplay penned by ‘Wicked’ book writer Winnie Holzman and costumes designed by Tony winner Paul Tazewell.

‘Wicked’ reimagines the classic tale of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ offering a backstory to the witches of Oz. Since its Broadway debut in 2003, it has become a mainstay at the Gershwin Theatre and one of the longest-running productions in Broadway history. The musical, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, boasts music and lyrics by Schwartz and a book by Holzman. The original cast featured Tony winners Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as Elphaba and Glinda.

‘Wicked’ has been performed in over 100 cities across 16 countries, winning three 2004 Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical (Menzel), Best Costume Design (Susan Hilferty), and Best Scenic Design (Eugene Lee). The film adaptation promises to bring this magical tale to a whole new audience.

Mark your calendars for November 22 to experience the enchanting world of ‘Wicked’ on the big screen!