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8 Biggest Reveals From The Wicked Movie Trailer

8 Biggest Reveals From The Wicked Movie Trailer
What are the Wicked trailer's big reveals?

Summary

  • Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver compelling performances in the first trailer for the Wicked movie, nailing their roles as Elphaba and Glinda.
  • Jeff Goldblum's portrayal of the Wizard is shown for the first time, and the glimpses of his villain are chilling.
  • Michelle Yeoh's Madame Morrible is a manipulative and foreboding villain, showcased in her role and interactions with Elphaba.

The trailer for the first part of the Wicked movie arrived during Super Bowl LVIII, and it revealed a number of things about the upcoming adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande lead the cast of the Wicked movie, and both stars give compelling performances in the initial footage. The first look at Wicked: Part One shows them meeting one another and becoming friends, though it hints at their diverging paths early on.

Wicked's first trailer also showcases a number of other exciting elements of the upcoming film. It highlights previously unseen characters and a big (but exciting) Dorothy change. Overall, it's a promising first look at the 2024 film, even if it doesn't feature nearly enough of the music the Broadway production is known for. And some of the biggest reveals from the Wicked trailer promise to match or outdo elements of the Broadway musical when the film hits theaters on November 27, 2024.

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8 The Wicked Trailer Sees Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Nailing Their Roles

The Actors Get Their Characters' Dynamic Right

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) looking up in Wicked

While images of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's leads were released prior to the Wicked trailer, the initial footage confirms that both stars are well-suited to tackle the characters of Elphaba and Glinda. More importantly, the duo seems to nail their dynamic with one another; their first meeting is shown during the trailer, and it's enough to confirm that they're recapturing the magic of the Broadway musical. Their heartfelt interactions later in the trailer promise their friendship will be as charming and heartbreaking as it is in the original.

7 The Trailer Gives The First Look At Jeff Goldblum's Wizard

He Promises To Be A Believable & Chilling Presence

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba putting her hat on and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard looking stunned in the Wicked trailer

Jeff Goldblum plays the Wizard and main villain of the Wicked movie, and the trailer offers a first look at his take on the character. The footage opens with a voice-over from Goldblum, who sums up Elphaba's character arc in a single line: "The best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy." This foreshadows how his leadership works in Oz, and the actor delivers this line believably. Goldblum is seen again later in the trailer, when Dorothy arrives in Oz. His demand of "bring her to me" is chilling, and it proves Goldblum has a handle on one of Wicked's most important characters.

6 Michelle Yeoh's Madame Morrible Leaves An Impression

The Trailer Shows How Manipulative Her Wicked Character Is

Michelle Yeoh Wicked Trailer

Goldblum's Wizard isn't the only antagonist to make an appearance in the first Wicked trailer. In fact, Michelle Yeoh's Madame Morrible gets just as much screen time, with the footage highlighting her role in the overall story. Viewers get a brief glimpse of her when Elphaba is talking about her powers, but the shot of her telling the movie's lead to "harness" her emotions proves more memorable. It's a great depiction of the manipulative villain, and the image of her in front of the flying monkeys promises a compelling and foreboding take on the character.

5 The Wicked Trailer Finally Shows Jonathan Bailey's Prince Fiyero

It Teases Multiple Parts Of His Character Arc

Fiyero Wicked Trailer

Jonathan Bailey's iteration of Prince Fiyero also makes his first appearance in the Wicked movie trailer, though his presence is significantly smaller than Goldblum's. Fiyero serves as a love interest to both Glinda and Elphaba, and he eventually becomes the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz. His careless attitude serves as comic relief during songs like "Dancing Through Life," but he also showcases more depth as Elphaba gets to know him better.

Bailey doesn't have any lines in the Wicked trailer, but there is a shot of Elphaba touching his face and another of him standing with Glinda. There's also a glimpse of the Scarecrow as one of Dorothy's companions, assuming the film grants him the same fate as the musical. Dorothy's inclusion brings up another reveal from the Wicked trailer, and it might be the biggest one yet.

4 Dorothy & Toto Will Make An Appearance In Wicked: Part One

This Is A Major Change To The Broadway Musical

Dorothy silver shoes in Wicked

While the plot of Wicked is spun around The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy never actually appears on-stage in the Broadway musical. The Wicked trailer suggests the movie is changing this, as it shows her feet as she and Toto enter the Royal Palace of Oz. It also offers a glimpse of Dorothy and her companions from The Wizard of Oz standing before the Wizard. This is a major divergence from the Broadway musical, but it could draw an even stronger connection to the original story. This would no doubt help the film expand its reach, especially since The Wizard of Oz is considered a classic.

3 The Wicked Movie Is Sparing No Expense On Its Setting

The Trailer Shows Commitment To Bringing The Colorful Oz To Life

Oz Wicked Trailer

In addition to offering first looks at many of the film's prominent characters, the Wicked trailer gives an idea of what the setting will look like — and it seems Universal Pictures is sparing no expense when bringing Oz to life. From the colorful fields of flowers to the stunning buildings, boats, and trains, Wicked seems committed to doing the backdrop justice. This portrayal of Oz is promising, and it speaks to a movie's ability to do more with a setting than a stage production. This could be one area where the film shines more than the original, at least if the trailer is anything to judge by.

2 The Wicked Trailer Teases Cynthia Erivo's "Defying Gravity"

There Are Multiple Allusions To The Hit Song

Elphaba Broomstick

While there isn't a ton of music in the first Wicked trailer, it does a great job of teasing Cynthia Erivo's iteration of "Defying Gravity" from the beginning. The early moments of the trailer feature a couple of lines from the song in the background, and Elphaba's sentiment that the Wizard "should be afraid of me" hypes up what follows. Erivo's note at the end of the trailer also promises a rendition of "Defying Gravity" that's on par with the best Broadway performances. It'll be exciting to see Elphaba step into her power in Wicked: Part One, and Erivo looks more than capable of nailing this part of her arc.

1 Wicked: Part One Will Likely End With Glinda Becoming The Good Witch

Glinda's Fate In Wicked: Part One Is Shown In The Trailer

Glinda Good Witch

While the first act of the Wicked musical concludes with "Defying Gravity," it makes sense that a movie would go beyond that and tease what's to come in the second half. The trailer essentially confirms that Wicked: Part One will do so, as it shows Glinda transforming into the Good Witch. It's possible this is related to the Dorothy scenes shown in the footage, but the first look also shows Glinda in a wedding gown. Given that she eventually marries Fiyero and becomes Glinda the Good, it seems probable that Wicked: Part One will conclude on this note, contrasting Elphaba's path with her friend's.

Wicked Movie Poster
Wicked

Based on the famous play that stemmed from The Wizard of Oz, Wicked is a fantasy musical that sees an all-new cast take on the modern tale. The film explores the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West, a woman scorned by society due to her green skin, with even the Wizard of Oz framing her for a crime she didn't commit. 

Release Date November 27, 2024
Director Jon M. Chu
Writers Winnie Holzman , Stephen Schwartz
Studio(s) Marc Platt Productions
Distributor(s) Universal Pictures
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