Current:Home > ContactAriana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos -Wealth Empowerment Academy
Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos
View
Date:2025-04-17 19:58:07
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! (8748)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Taylor Swift fans flock straight from Miami airport to stadium to buy merchandise
- Bachelor Nation’s Carly Waddell Engaged to Todd Allen Trassler
- 6-year-old boy accidentally shoots younger brother, killing him; great-grandfather charged
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- 'Dune: Prophecy' cast, producers reveal how the HBO series expands on the films
- Liam Payne's death devastates Gen Z – even those who weren't One Direction fans
- New Hampshire’s port director and his wife, a judge, are both facing criminal charges
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- A parent's guide to 'Smile 2': Is the R-rated movie suitable for tweens, teens?
Ranking
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- 'Lifesaver': How iPhone's satellite mode helped during Hurricane Helene
- NFL trade candidates: 16 players who could be on the block ahead of 2024 deadline
- Takeaways from The Associated Press’ reporting on extremism in the military
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- TikTok let through disinformation in political ads despite its own ban, Global Witness finds
- His country trained him to fight. Then he turned against it. More like him are doing the same
- Montana man reported to be killed in bear attack died by homicide in 'a vicious attack'
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
There are 11 remaining college football unbeatens. Predicting when each will lose
U2's Sphere concert film is staggeringly lifelike. We talk to the Edge about its creation
Broncos best Saints in Sean Payton's return to New Orleans: Highlights
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Why Billy Ray Cyrus' Ex Firerose Didn't Think She Would Survive Their Divorce
U2's Sphere concert film is staggeringly lifelike. We talk to the Edge about its creation
Woman dies 2 days after co-worker shot her at Santa Monica College, police say