Current:Home > MyAriana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos -WealthPro Academy
Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater and the Entire Wicked Cast Stun in New Photos
Charles H. Sloan View
Date:2025-04-09 00:30:48
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! (73611)
Related
- Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
- Ryan Murphy keeps his Olympic medal streak alive in 100 backstroke
- Tesla recalling more than 1.8M vehicles due to hood issue
- Stephen Nedoroscik pommel horse: Social media reacts to American gymnast's bronze medal-clinching routine
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- Boar's Head faces first suit in fatal listeria outbreak after 88-year-old fell 'deathly ill'
- Voting group asks S. Carolina court to order redraw of US House districts that lean too Republican
- Sheriff in charge of deputy who killed Sonya Massey declines to resign, asks for forgiveness
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary sentenced to life in prison for directing a terrorist group
Ranking
- Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
- 72-year-old woman, 2 children dead after pontoon boat capsizes on Lake Powell in Arizona
- Voting group asks S. Carolina court to order redraw of US House districts that lean too Republican
- Anthony Edwards cheers on Team USA table tennis after friendly trash talk, 'challenge' at 2024 Paris Olympics
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Massachusetts governor says there’s nothing she can do to prevent 2 hospitals from closing
- Des Moines officers kill suspect after he opened fire and critically wounded one of them, police say
- Two men killed in California road rage dispute turned deadly with kids present: Police
Recommendation
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Francine Pascal, author of beloved ‘Sweet Valley High’ books, dead at 92
The best way to watch the Paris Olympics? Hint: It isn't live.
Richard Simmons' housekeeper Teresa Reveles opens up about fitness personality's death
Louisiana high court temporarily removes Judge Eboni Johnson Rose from Baton Rouge bench amid probe
Police recruit who lost both legs in ‘barbaric hazing ritual’ sues Denver, paramedics and officers
Investigation finds at least 973 Native American children died in abusive US boarding schools
Severe thunderstorms to hit Midwest with damaging winds, golf ball-size hail on Tuesday