Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread- Page 114
Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2825
Posted: 9/26/25 at 2:48pm
Personally found the side characters to be pretty annoying. Will be annoyed if they are shoehorned in more just cause. Why are we talking about an "expanded wicked universe" like there's gonna be a third film?
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2826
Posted: 9/26/25 at 2:55pm
FWIW, I too found them annoying and unnecessary. It’s not like they ruined the movie for me or anything, but much like Keala Settle’s role, I just thought “why…?”
Updated On: 9/26/25 at 02:55 PM
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/05
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2827
Posted: 9/26/25 at 8:05pm
I thought Bowen’s lines and delivery were some of the funniest in the movie.
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2828
Posted: 9/27/25 at 12:22am
AEA AGMA SM said: "In the novel Munchkinland has seceded from Oz, and the shoes have become a symbol of Nessa's leadership as the head of the Free State of Munchkinland. Glinda gives them to Dorothy because she feared that their power, and the fight to get control of them, would ignite a civil war within Munchkinland."
Oh, thank you so much! I just wonder further, so were the shoes a symbol of unwanted leadership of a free state? Like a free state would have a different way of appointing a leader? Or was it just desiring power that could lead to fighting and a civil war?
It is also kinda weird Glinda made them so powerful, beyond merely allowing one to...what did they do for Nessa? Wasn't it just the feeling of "ghost arms"? But the book said magic was kind of an unwieldy thing, right? So maybe the power to travel anywhere would cause fighting? Why didn't Nessa use them to travel anywhere?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2829
Posted: 9/27/25 at 6:47am
HBP said: "I thought Bowen’s lines and delivery were some of the funniest in the movie."
Though he had scripted dialogue, Jon Chu ended up using his improvised alternate takes in the finished film.
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2830
Posted: 9/27/25 at 7:23am
John Adams said: "darquegk said: "The thing I need to see explained more is the timeline. The stage show is extremely vague on whether it's days, weeks or many years that pass between the end of Act 1 and the start of Act 2."
It helps to be familiar with Maguire's book. According to the book, it's about 5 years.
"
Except that in the book Elphaba does actually melt. Not sure the book is a reliable guide.
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2831
Posted: 9/27/25 at 9:22am
There’s also the fact that the events of the book that Act 2 used span about 14 or 15 years. Elphaba and Fiyero reconnect about 5 years after she and Glinda meet the Wizard. After he is attacked she spends 7 years in the mauntery before setting out for Kiamo Ko to try to seek forgiveness from his wife and family. She then spends roughly another 7 years there before the tornado and arrival of Dorothy into Oz.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/21
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2832
Posted: 10/8/25 at 9:12am
Tickets to Wicked: For Good are now on sale.
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2833
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:29am
AEA AGMA SM said: "There’s also the fact that the events of the book that Act 2 used span about 14 or 15 years. Elphaba and Fiyero reconnect about 5 years after she and Glinjoda meet the Wizard. After he is attacked she spends 7years in the mauntery before setting out for Kiamo Ko to try to seek forgiveness from his wife and family. She then spends roughly another 7 years there before the tornado and arrival of Dorothy into Oz."
Thanks for that reminder from the book! I think Wicked's musical and movie are best when they keep the time vague...
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2834
Posted: 10/9/25 at 8:04am
Anyone else braving the double feature on 11/20? I sure am. Can’t wait!
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2835
Posted: 10/10/25 at 10:20am
What Would Elphaba Grow? The Botanical Garden Has Some Ideas.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/arts/design/wicked-new-york-botanical-garden.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sU8.JY5Z.18njJkdxnxGI&smid=nytcore-android-share
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2836
Posted: 10/10/25 at 4:41pm
Just like the first film, Cynthia Erivo will be campaigned as lead while Ariana Grande will be going supporting for the upcoming awards run for the second one.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Cynthia-Erivo-to-Campaign-for-Lead-Actress-for-WICKED-FOR-GOOD-20251010
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2837
Posted: 10/11/25 at 12:31am
Thanks, Jeffrey. I definitely feel like Ariana and Cynthia are co-leads, but it's great Ariana doesn't mind the one the musical is more about to be nominated as lead and not both of them.
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2839
Posted: 10/16/25 at 11:50am
Jon M. Chu Teases Secret Celebrity Casting for Cowardly Lion in WICKED: FOR GOOD
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2840
Posted: 10/16/25 at 1:32pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Jon M. Chu Teases Secret Celebrity Casting for Cowardly Lion in WICKED: FOR GOOD"
Bert Lahr?!
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2841
Posted: 10/16/25 at 3:42pm
The more and more I see of this, the more I have some hope that this movie will largely improve the flawed second act of Wicked which was always a big weak spot in what is otherwise a really good stage musical. I'm really curious about how the two new songs: "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble" will fit into the plot and not feel like they're there for Oscar bait.
Featured Actor Joined: 6/14/11
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2842
Posted: 10/17/25 at 9:32pm
JOEL GREY? The original Wizard? Can it be him ? I’d love it
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2843
Posted: 10/17/25 at 10:52pm
I can see Grey getting a cameo, but more like the cameos in the first film which winked at the show's mythology in a (mostly) unobtrusive way. It sounds like the Lion is supposed to be a huge get for mainstream audiences that wouldn't recognize Joel Grey by his voice, especially since most of them haven't heard him for fifty years since "Cabaret."
It's going to be a major film and TV star with an instantly recognizable voice; the rumors circulating are Jack Black and Tom Hanks, though people keep noting that the lion LOOKS like Ian McKellen.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/7/03
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2844
Posted: 10/18/25 at 10:58am
Love the Joel Grey idea, as a nice cameo bookend to his film career.
Or, 
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2845
Posted: 10/18/25 at 5:09pm
Well he says he reached out via Instagram so it's likely not someone older. So I would doubt it's Ian McKellan...
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2846
Posted: 10/18/25 at 5:27pm
"older" people have Instagram accounts.
I am going out on a limb here.....
I am thinking James Earl Jones. A very recognizable voice. The film wrapped about 9 months before Jones passed away. Jones also had an Instagram account that is said to be managed by others since his death. Evidently the lines were recorded remotely. Possible that is the only way they were able to do it if he was not in great physical health at the time.
I am probably wrong!
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2847
Posted: 10/18/25 at 6:28pm
uncageg said: ""older" people have Instagram accounts.
I am going out on a limb here.....
I am thinking James Earl Jones. A very recognizable voice. The film wrapped about 9 months before Jones passed away. Jones also had an Instagram account that is said to be managed by others since his death. Evidently the lines were recorded remotely. Possible that is the only way they were able to do it if he was not in great physical health at the time.
I am probably wrong!"
He also mentioned the actor walking the red carpet, so not somebody who is dead. I'm sure the Lion was not cast until the last few months.
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2848
Posted: 10/18/25 at 6:33pm
I'm guessing the Cowardly Lion—seen as a cub in Part 1 and now grown in Part 2, though still fairly young—will be voiced by a much younger actor than most of the names suggested here.
Universal's WICKED Film - News & Discussion Thread#2849
Posted: 10/18/25 at 6:37pm
TheatreFan4 said: "uncageg said: ""older" people have Instagram accounts.
I am going out on a limb here.....
I am thinking James Earl Jones. A very recognizable voice. The film wrapped about 9 months before Jones passed away. Jones also had an Instagram account that is said to be managed by others since his death. Evidently the lines were recorded remotely. Possible that is the only way they were able to do it if he was not in great physical health at the time.
I am probably wrong!"
He also mentioned the actor walking the red carpet, so not somebody who is dead. I'm sure the Lion was not cast until the last few months."
Forgot that part! Oh well, the guessing goes on!
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