The Broadway musical “Wicked” debuted in 2003, and numerous productions have performed ever since. Now, the long-awaited movie adaptation got to take center stage this past weekend as it premiered in theaters.
“Wicked” is a fan-favorite musical that has been cherished by the hearts of many, so the hype surrounding the movie premiere is prevalent. “I’m very excited to see this movie adaptation. I’ve seen the musical three times in my life, and I’ve been waiting for this to be turned into a movie for years,” shared musical enthusiast Emily Roeder.
While this musical has had a strong following for years, “Wicked” has skyrocketed in engagement and popularity in recent months. The film debuted with 99% on rotten tomatoes from audiences, which is one of the highest scores for a musical adaptation.
From exciting trailers to social media posts and brand collaborations, fans have been hooked. “I think a big reason why people are so excited about this film is the star-studded cast and the phenomenal publicity job that has been done,” expressed senior Sophia Pomykala. “To see the stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo get so emotional in their interviews over the passion they’ve poured into this film makes viewers feel like the film is something worth watching.”
Excitement about this movie is so intense that some movie theaters even advised fans to not sing along to the soundtrack during the movie to prevent disrupting the experience for others. Classic, beloved songs like “Defying Gravity” graced the big screen, but fans had to resist the urge to sing along and just enjoy the beautiful voices bringing the music to life in the film.
But like any movie adaptation, there is room for creative liberties.
Leading up to the movie’s release, anticipation ensued as fans pondered how the original plot, staging and acting would be replicated or changed. The movie only covers the first act of the musical, but a second movie is set to release in November 2025 to finish the storyline. This ensured no songs or characters were cut and allowed for more developed details within the plot. “I’m very curious to see how they split this into two films and to hear how these actors take on the music and script. I’m sure it’s going to be popular this fall,” stated Roeder.
“Wicked” has been a big hit in theaters so far, and more people will continue to buy tickets and watch Elphaba and Glinda embark on their journey through Oz. This exquisite film has truly changed fans for good
