Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread — Page 76

TotallyEffed said: "One thing I’m so relieved about is how committed they were to casting SINGER singers. This soundtrack is going to be an instant classic."

Oh for sure. The soundtrack is going to sell like hotcakes in a similar way that the OBC cast recording also did, if not more so. Plus, that look into the live singing shows that they are putting a lot of effort into making sure the musical numbers sound really good despite being on set-sound. That's hard to do when a movie musical uses live singing instead of a pre-recorded track.

Looking at you Joker: Folie a Deux...

I think Cynthia and Ariana both sound and look incredible.

I keep telling myself I won't watch newly released videos to avoid more spoilers, and then I watch them seven times in a row.

Hearing this from a skeptic, especially someone who didn't enjoy In the Heights, is honestly so promising. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think we were all very concerned at the beginning to be fair, so I'm happy to see that those fears may not have been warranted. 

The majority of the people going to see this movie don't know who Cynthia Erivo is and those who do could really care less.  She looks like she's gonna nail Elphaba and that's all that matters

Even though the "singing live" gimmick is a little eyeroll-worthy at this point, I am happy to see how much effort and love seems to have been put into this movie. This movie would absolutely not have worked without two dynamite vocalists in the lead roles, so thank goodness they are bringing it so hard. I don't think anyone should be shamed for doubting Ari's casting when it was first announced, given she gave the ultimate "go on girl give us nothing" performance in Hairspray Live. But she obviously took this very seriously and looks absolutely terrific! 

Singing Live gets a bad wrap because Tom Hooper doesn't know how to direct musicals, not because the idea is bad when you have capable performers doing it. Or when you have capable people doing it, but insist they do it badly and unpleasant to the ear.

TheatreFan4 said: "Singing Live gets a bad wrap because Tom Hooper doesn't know how to direct musicals, not because the idea is bad when you have capable performers doing it. Or when you have capable people doing it, but insist they do it badly and unpleasant to the ear."

I happen to be one of the biggest defenders of Tom Hooper's direction of Les Misérables. The musical itself is such an emotionally raw piece that it just wouldn't have made sense to have it shot further back or lip-synched. Cats however,....different story.

Updated On: 10/29/24 at 12:24 PM

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "TheatreFan4 said: "Singing Live gets a bad wrap because Tom Hooper doesn't know how to direct musicals, not because the idea is bad when you have capable performers doing it. Or when you have capable people doing it, but insist they do it badly and unpleasant to the ear."

I happen to be one of the biggest defenders of Tom Hooper's direction ofLes Misérables. The musical itselfis such an emotionally raw piece that it just wouldn't have made sense to have it shot further back or lip-synched. Cats however,....different story."

Well the musical is 40 god damn years and is a MUSICAL and should be pleasant to listen to, not a chore. That excuse didn't help Joker 2 and it ain't helping Les Miz. NEXT. 

TheatreFan4 said: "Well the musical is 40 god damn years and is a MUSICAL and should be pleasant to listen to, not a chore. That excuse didn't help Joker 2 and it ain't helping Les Miz. NEXT."

Personally, I think live singing can work, but often does not. It's a difficult issue to parse because most of the movies that have attempted it have just not been good films, and prerecording wouldn't really have made them any better. But in filming a scene, the actor must play, and thus sing, their part over and over, freying their vocal cords as the day goes on. They can't hold back because any given take might ultimately be the one used. It's incredibly destructive (if you listen to Anne Hathaway's vocals in preparation for Les Mis, they are far superior to what you hear in the actual film because her voice wasn't worn raw by multiple takes).

On the other hand, lip-synching to a pre-recorded track creates an artificiality and distance between the sound and the performance that can make the whole thing mechanical. There are short-comings both ways, but ultimately, I think pre-recording is the better option, though maybe a blend of the two approaches--as Streisand utilized when she sang "My Man" in the film of Funny Girl--is the best choice.

joevitus said: "TotallyEffed said: "Dropping in to note that Hedwig and the AngryInch had live singing in the film all the way back in 2001, to spectacular effect."

Were all the songs performed live? I had assumed they were all performed to a playback on set. Thanks for the info."


The songs were sung live on set! I’m sure Wig in Box and the more complicated numbers that take place in a more fantastical setting needed some studio magic. But the numbers Hedwig is performing “live” with an audience in the film were performed on set.

Updated On: 10/29/24 at 03:39 PM

BrodyFosse123 said: "Madonna sang “Lament” live in 1996’s EVITA“


Sang is extremely generous.