Shimmering pink, soaring notes, and a world called Oz : Ariana Grande steps into Glinda for Universal’s Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, with Part One in cinemas from 22 November 2024 and Part Two scheduled for 26 November 2025. The first teaser arrived during Super Bowl LVIII on 11 February 2024, setting the tone for a grand, emotional retelling.
The cast brings real musical muscle : Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, Ariana Grande plays Glinda, Jonathan Bailey is Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh is Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum is the Wizard, and Ethan Slater is Boq. The question fans keep asking lands simple : how does Ariana Grande make Glinda her own without losing what made the role a phenomenon since the Broadway premiere in 2003.
Ariana Grande, Glinda, Wicked : what matters right now
The story comes in two films to let the relationships breathe and to keep key musical moments intact. That choice was confirmed by the director in 2022, a move that reassured long time theatergoers.
Release is timed for the Thanksgiving corridor, a space where family musicals often thrive. Part One moved up to 22 November 2024 in the United States, after initially being set for 27 November 2024.
For anyone thinking Ariana Grande only belongs to pop charts, a quick reminder helps. She made a professional stage debut in 2008 in the Broadway musical “13” at age 15. Musical theater is familar ground.
From Broadway roots to film magic : dates, casting, songs
“Wicked” opened on Broadway in 2003 with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. For the film, Winnie Holzman wrote the screenplay while Stephen Schwartz returns to adapt the score.
The movie honors the signature numbers that defined the show. Expect “Popular”, “For Good”, and the Act One showstopper “Defying Gravity”. Stephen Schwartz has spoken about adding new material for the screen, a common step when stage hits become films.
Marketing beats arrived early and loud. A first look aired during Super Bowl LVIII on 11 February 2024. A longer trailer followed in May 2024, revealing the scale of Oz and the Glinda and Elphaba friendship at the center.
Why Glinda fits Ariana Grande : voice, character, visuals
Glinda is not just sparkle. On stage, she begins as image conscious and ends with responsibility. That arc needs a voice that can be light, then cut through an orchestra. Ariana Grande’s training and theater background support both sides.
Visuals matter, too. Fans noticed Ariana Grande’s platinum transformation in 2022, a nod to Glinda’s look without copying any one stage performance. The film leans into practical sets and large ensembles, which lets the camera read emotion during big musical numbers.
One common mistake when approaching Glinda is to see only the comedy. The role carries intricate phrasing in “Popular” and quiet sincerity in “For Good”. Film close ups tend to amplify those shifts, and that benefits a performer used to recording studio precision.
Curious what to keep in mind before watching Part One in theaters
- Release plan : Part One on 22 November 2024, Part Two on 26 November 2025.
- Director : Jon M. Chu, known for “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights”.
- Co stars : Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater.
- Stage history : Broadway premiere in 2003; Ariana Grande’s Broadway debut in 2008.
- Key songs carried to screen : “Popular”, “For Good”, “Defying Gravity”.
What comes next for Wicked and where to watch Ariana’s Glinda
Universal’s recent films have reached Peacock as early as 45 days after theatrical release, though exact timing varies by title. Expect Wicked Part One to follow a similar pattern after its cinema run, then move to digital purchase and physical formats.
Part Two lands in late 2025, closing the story thread that Part One sets up. The split gives space for Oz’s politics, the school setting at Shiz, and the emotional payoff between Glinda and Elphaba. That structure also allows the score to play out where it hits hardest.
The final piece many fans wait for is the complete soundtrack release around each film’s launch window. With Stephen Schwartz involved and a cast drawn from heavyweight vocalists, the recordings aim to stand alone while staying faithful to what audiences know from the stage.