Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread- Page 103

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/14/24 at 5:44am

Lol there are definitely scenes, lines, and lyrics in this script that got cut from the final film... Maybe take a look?

Definitely will. Waiting for the FYC paperback being sent out to industry folks so it’ll be much easier to read. I went by what I was told (that heresay situation) but I’ll take your word for it as I trust you DID read it unlike me. Stoked to read it now. Thanks. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 12/14/24 at 2:37pm

Lyrics? I thought one of the reasons people were celebrating this movie is because all the songs are in there, complete.

[degrassifan]

Posted: 12/14/24 at 2:51pm

joevitus said: "Lyrics? I thought one of the reasons people were celebrating this movie is because all the songs are in there, complete."

There is a montage after Popular but before Dr. Dillamond got fired where the fivesome (Elphie, Galinda, Fiyero, Nessa, and Boq) sing a reprise of Dancing Through Life that included new lyrics. This obviously got cut from the final version, but pictures of the montage are available on the internet. 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 12/14/24 at 3:25pm

Seems like more at the train station also. I always wondered what happened to the bear 

[binau]

Posted: 12/15/24 at 9:21am

RE: Cynthia vs Ariana Grande I agree that Ariana Grande exceeded all expectations (vocally & acting) while Cynthia comes across a little low energy at times. However, isn't that the nature of the character and doesn't the same thing always happen on stage (see also, Ben Brantley's rave for Kristen in original review)? I always personally felt that Elphabas differentiated themselves based on their voices while Glindas differentiated themselves based on their acting.

I love Cynthia's vocals and the way she does the rocky ending of "Defying Gravity" feels iconic in itself while still paying homage to the original. I would say though it has also made me find even more appreciation in Idina Menzel's original recordings too - her voice to me sounds much thicker and more theatrical than Cynthia's. 

 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/15/24 at 3:49pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "This is going to flop hard.

It’ll have a nice first week, but most of the reviewswill be tepid (save for the two leads’ performances) and it will be overshadowed by MOANA 2 come Turkey Day."

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 12/15/24 at 4:04pm

I forget, somebody please remind me.

Why is Elphaba green? I know who her father is, but that doesn’t really explain it, or where she gets her power from. The glowing green elixir, I’m sure, but where did that come from?

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 12/15/24 at 4:13pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I forget, somebody please remind me.

Why is Elphaba green? I know who her father is, but that doesn’t really explain it, or where she gets her power from. The glowing green elixir, I’m sure, but where did that come from?"

That’s kind of the extent of the explanation in the stage show. There’s a line in the show, like, “she was a child of both worlds,” explaining her power. So, kind of no explanation, haha. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/15/24 at 4:19pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I forget, somebody please remind me.

Why is Elphaba green? I know who her father is, but that doesn’t really explain it, or where she gets her power from. The glowing green elixir, I’m sure, but where did that come from?"

Girl... these are some Cinema Sins level questions...

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 12/15/24 at 4:25pm

Thanks, maybe we will find out why in Part 2!

Belle Epoque absinthe, or something…? Like the Kylie Minogue fairy in Moulin Rouge.

Or maybe it’s just best if I don’t dwell on it too much.

[John Adams]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 6:40am

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I forget, somebody please remind me.

Why is Elphaba green? I know who her father is, but that doesn’t really explain it, or where she gets her power from. The glowing green elixir, I’m sure, but where did that come from?"

Most likely, the Wizard got the elixir from Yackle (a character from McGuire's book that is not in the musical).

Also likely, your local library will have the audiobook available for loan. The narrator of the audiobook (John McDonough) is excellent, but you'll have to endure a lot of McGuire's political narrative which, IMO, drags the story down.

When you're familiar with McGuire's book, you can pick up on a lot of allusions to it that appear in the stage musical (like why the bustle & train of Mdme Morrible's costume looks like a fish, where Elphaba was physically birthed, etc.).

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:14pm

Part Two officially titled "Wicked: For Good"; release date set for November 21, 2025

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:25pm

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:26pm

KevinKlawitter said: "Part Two officially titled "Wicked: For Good"; release date set for November 21, 2025"

That title feels more appropriate for a tie-in book than a continuation of the first movie. Would definitely have preferred Part 2 or Part II, but I am (tragically) not Jon Chu or whichever Universal exec made this call. Wicked: For Good feels… cheap.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:28pm

I didn’t expect it. But I find it perfect. Just so it doesn’t have a lazy 2 or 3 on the marquee title.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:28pm

Beats 2 Wicked 2 Furious.

Updated On: 12/16/24 at 04:28 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:29pm

Dumb.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:47pm

They just preparing us how emotional that scene will be in the movie theater 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 4:55pm

Considering how they're already discussing how to extend the franchise, I'm surprised they didn't decide to save "Wicked: 4 Good" for the third sequel.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 5:38pm

It's only a bit weird to me because we have an on-screen "Part 1" title card in the first film. Either they call it "Part 2" onscreen in the actual film, or they George Lucas the title card from Part 1 so that it's called "Wicked: Defying Gravity" or something. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 6:10pm

Scarywarhol said: "It's only a bit weird to me because we have an on-screen "Part 1" title card in the first film. Either they call it "Part 2" onscreen in the actual film, or they George Lucas the title card from Part 1 so that it's called "Wicked: Defying Gravity" or something."

Or just call it Wicked, the way the Mission: Impossible movies changed Dead Reckoning: Part One to Dead Reckoning and the follow-up to The Final Reckoning

As to why, despite the rumors MemorableUserName referenced that WB may be trying to expand the story more, I almost wonder if the opposite might be true. "Part One" and "Part Two" implies the possibility of a "Part Three". "Part One" and "For Good", on the other hand, feels more like a definitive ending, at least comparatively.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 8:15pm

I think Universal has been very forthcoming that they want more from this franchise than these two movies, so WHATEVER comes after this, they're not avoiding calling it Part 2 to dissuade the possibility of more to come.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 8:34pm

TheatreFan4 said: "I think Universal has been very forthcoming that they want more from this franchise than these two movies, so WHATEVER comes after this, they're not avoiding calling it Part 2 to dissuade the possibility of more to come."

I don’t think that’ll be problem as long as what comes next justifies itself creatively

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 9:35pm

TaffyDavenport said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "This is going to flop hard.

It’ll have a nice first week, but most of the reviewswill be tepid (save for the two leads’ performances) and it will be overshadowed by MOANA 2 come Turkey Day."

"

That flop hard prediction, because of pre-sales didn't even make sense at the time.  However, Moana 2 has technically overshadowed Wicked in terms of ticket sales. It's up to $717 million. 

Updated On: 12/16/24 at 09:35 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/16/24 at 10:29pm

BwayLB said: "TheatreFan4 said: "I think Universal has been very forthcoming that they want more from this franchise than these two movies, so WHATEVER comes after this, they're not avoiding calling it Part 2 to dissuade the possibility of more to come."

I don’t think that’ll be problem as long as what comes next justifies itself creatively"

Well how it would perform is independent, but I fear that very little will end up going into the franchise creatively to justify further projects lol.