Current:Home > FinanceAriana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos -MarketPoint
Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos
View
Date:2025-04-16 18:48:32
This cast is already quite popular.
The first official photos of Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, and more stars on the set of the upcoming Wicked film were just released by Vanity Fair—and they'll make fans of the iconic Broadway production defy gravity with excitement.
For the "yes and?" singer, who transforms into the pink bubbly Glinda the Good Witch in the new pictures, the preparation for the role has been a lifetime in the making.
"It was literally 10 years of being like, ‘Knock, knock, any developments?'" Ariana joked to Vanity Fair in the first look published March 21. "‘Is there an audition coming this year, or next year? I would like to start preparing today.'"
Meanwhile, Cynthia, who plays the protagonist Elphaba, was one of the last actresses brought in to audition for the character later known as The Wicked Witch of the West.
And while she admitted she didn't think she'd be "seen," once the film's director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt (who also produced the original Broadway musical) saw her audition, they knew they'd found their lead, adding, "We're like, ‘We're done.'"
As a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, Wicked—based on the 1995 book—gives the backstory of the unlikely friendship between Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. And as the film's leads, Ariana and Cynthia were able to forge a strong bond.
"I just need to say that I don't think people realize that she's got the chops," Cynthia told Vanity Fair of Ariana. "I don't think people realize how brilliant this person's brain and voice and talent is."
Meanwhile, the Grammy winner was quick to return the compliment, noting of the Harriet star, "She's my favorite female voice."
And while Platt had originally thought of casting unknowns for the highly-anticipated project, the upcoming Broadway adaptation—set to release in November—is one of the most star-studded musical movie productions of the last few years. And with Cynthia and Ariana's vocal power, Chu seems to believe the right casting decisions were made.
"These are live vocals," Chu added to the outlet. "Those girls were like, ‘F--k the pre-records. We're going live.'"
In addition to Ariana, Cynthia, and Ethan—who earned a Tony nomination for his performance as Spongebob Squarepants on Broadway—the cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and even Saturday Night Live's Bowen Yang.
Read on to see all the new Wicked cast photos.
Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.
Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard and Michelle Yeoh as his colleague, Madame Morrible.
Jonathan Bailey as hearthob prince Fiyero.
Ariana told Vanity Fair that nabbing her Glinda role was "10 years" in the making.
Meanwhile, Cynthia said she trained "like a boxer" for her role.
Jeff is the not-so-wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Madam Morrible is the headmistress of Shiz University.
Marisa Bode (Nessarose), Ethan Slater (Boq) Bowen Yang (Pfannee), and Bronwyn James (ShenShen) round out the cast.
Wicked is set to hit theaters on November 27, 2024.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (217)
Related
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Sean Diddy Combs asks judge to dismiss sexual assault lawsuit
- A critically endangered newborn addax now calls Disney's Animal Kingdom home: Watch video
- How Ryan Dorsey and Son Josey Will Honor Naya Rivera on Mother's Day
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Travis Kelce Dances With Niecy Nash on Set of Grotesquerie
- Flavor Flav is the new official hype-man for U.S. women's water polo team. This is why he is doing it.
- Starbucks offering half-off drinks on Fridays, more deals during month of May
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Northern lights set the sky aglow amid powerful geomagnetic storm
Ranking
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Travis Kelce Dances With Niecy Nash on Set of Grotesquerie
- Jeannie Mai Shares Insight Into Life With Adventure-Loving 2-Year-Old Daughter Monaco
- Aces star A'ja Wilson announces Nike contract for her own signature shoe
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Andrew Nembhard's deep 3-pointer lifts Pacers to dramatic Game 3 win over Knicks
- Former NBA player Glen Davis says prison sentence will 'stop (him) from eating hamburgers'
- Former Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. to face trial on rape charge
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Celine Dion's stylist Law Roach admits her Grammys return amid health battle was 'emotional'
Novak Djokovic OK after being struck in head with metal water bottle in Rome
How Ryan Dorsey and Son Josey Will Honor Naya Rivera on Mother's Day
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Michigan woman set to celebrate her first Mother's Day at home since emerging from 5-year coma
Lysander Clark: The Visionary Founder of WT Finance Institute
Rat parts in sliced bread spark wide product recall in Japan