The musical based on the novel inspired by the books that also gave us the classic film is now coming to our screens as two whole movies, and it’s lost none of its fabulous theatre kid energy on the journey. That’s hardly surprising, considering Wicked is being directed by Jon M. Chu, who also helmed In the Heights (and G.I. Joe: Retaliation—that’s range).
When is Wicked being released in New Zealand?
Wicked: Part One hits New Zealand cinemas on cinemas November 28. Part Two is due on November 27, 2025.
Wicked
What is Wicked about?
The formative years of future Wicked Witch Elphaba, particularly her university frenemy-ship with future Good Witch Galinda, along with her struggles as a green-skinned girl in a fairy tale kingdom that might be a bit more crypto-fascist than it first appears. And songs—lots and lots of songs. Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel was something of a meditation on the nature of evil dressed up as fanfic, but it also begat that weird little literary trend that gave us the likes of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Shakespearean adaptations of Star Wars, so there’s that. But this is one of the most popular stage musicals in the world, and the version we’ll be getting on screen will have been honed for maximum audience impact—or it’ll be another Cats, and no one wants that.
The cast of Wicked
All-star cast here: Cynthia Erivo is our heroine, with Karis Musongole as the young Elphaba; pop star Ariana Grande is the pastel-pink Galinda; legendary weirdo Jeff Goldblum is the Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Michelle Yeoh is Madame Morrible, the university headmistress; Jonathan Bailey is Fiyero Tigelaar, a Winkie prince and probable love interest; Marissa Bode is Nessarose Thropp, Elphaba’s younger sister; Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, and Keala Settle round out the ensemble. Plus Peter Dinklage voices a goat.
Wicked trailer
Why we’re excited about Wicked
This kind of musical spectacular is the sort of thing movies were made for, and we’re not ashamed to say it.
