Theatre News

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to star in Wicked movie

Their lives have been changed for good

David Gordon

London

05 November 2021

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
© Dan Wooller, Cosmopolitan UK

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will be flying to Oz as Galinda and Elphaba in the film adaptation of Wicked.

The pair announced their casting in dual posts on social media, as did director Jon M. Chu.

Goooood Newwwws!!! The incredible #CynthiaErivo and @ArianaGrande will be our Elphaba and Galinda in @WickedMovie @UniversalPics Get ready for a match up like you've never seen!!! In pink and green!!! pic.twitter.com/t1eH82mCe7

— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) November 5, 2021

Wicked writers Winnie Holzman (book) and Stephen Schwartz (score) are collaborating on the screenplay. The 18-year-old musical is based on Gregory Maguire's bestselling novel of the same name. Universal Pictures will release the film, though a timeline has never officially been confirmed. Shooting, however, is expected to start in 2022.

Grande has appeared in stage shows such as 13, while Erivo has wowed in The Color Purple.