Current:Home > MyAriana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos -Capital Dream Guides
Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos
View
Date:2025-04-14 11:18:56
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! (885)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Judge dismisses challenge to New Hampshire’s provisional voting law
- Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker welcome a baby boy, their 1st child together
- A glance at some of Nepal’s deadliest earthquakes
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Putin revokes Russia's ratification of nuclear test ban treaty
- A nonbinary marathoner's fight to change anti-doping policy
- Californians bet farming agave for spirits holds key to weathering drought and groundwater limits
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Ukraine minister says he wants to turn his country into a weapons production hub for the West
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Jalen Milroe stiff-arms Jayden Daniels' Heisman Trophy bid as No. 8 Alabama rolls past LSU
- Joey Votto out as Reds decline 2024 option on franchise icon's contract
- Indiana police investigate shooting that left 3 people dead
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Khloe Kardashian's Daughter True Thompson Reveals How She Lost Her Front Tooth in Adorable Video
- Trump’s decades of testimony provide some clues about how he’ll fight for his real estate empire
- Italian archaeologists open 2,600-year-old tomb for first time, find wealthy family's treasures
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Arab leaders push for an Israel-Hamas cease-fire now. Blinken says that could be counterproductive
What young athletes can learn from the late Frank Howard – and not Bob Knight
Ukraine minister says he wants to turn his country into a weapons production hub for the West
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
2023 NYC Marathon: Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola breaks record in men's pro race
Iranians mark the anniversary of the 1979 US embassy takeover while calling for a ceasefire in Gaza
French power supplier says technician killed as it battles damage from Storm Ciarán