Current:Home > InvestAriana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos -WealthMindset
Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos
View
Date:2025-04-18 03:59:08
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! (4419)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Inside the meeting of Republican electors who sought to thwart Biden’s election win in Georgia
- Rebel ambush in Indonesia’s restive Papua region kills a construction worker and injures 3 others
- Walmart, Aldi lowering Thanksgiving dinner prices for holiday season
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Natalee Holloway fought like hell moments before death, her mom says after Joran van der Sloot's murder confession
- The US is welcomed in the Indo-Pacific region and should do more, ambassador to Japan says
- It's time for Penn State to break through. Can the Nittany Lions finally solve Ohio State?
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- The Big 3 automakers now have record offers on the table. UAW says they can do more
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Virginia NAACP sues Youngkin for records behind the denials of felons’ voting rights
- Brazil’s Lula vetoes core part of legislation threatening Indigenous rights
- Biden says Hamas attacked Israel in part to stop a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Biden, others, welcome the release of an American mother and daughter held hostage by Hamas
- Ohio embraced the ‘science of reading.’ Now a popular reading program is suing
- Basketball Wives' Evelyn Lozada and Fiancé LaVon Lewis Break Up
Recommendation
The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
Long lines at gas pump unlikely, but Middle East crisis could disrupt oil supplies, raise prices
Megan Thee Stallion and former record label 1501 Entertainment settle 3-year legal battle
Police on the hunt for man after Maryland judge killed in his driveway
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Basketball Wives' Evelyn Lozada and Fiancé LaVon Lewis Break Up
Israeli reservists in US leave behind proud, worried families
Walmart, Aldi lowering Thanksgiving dinner prices for holiday season