Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread — Page 81

Jordan Catalano said: "Back from a screening of this and just have to say - believe the hype. I went in still not totally sold on this being two parts but yes, it absolutely 100% earns every second of it's run time and Ariana and Cynthia are divine. Ari is doing some truly phenomenal comedic work (I'll be laughing about one of her first lines in the film, for a week) and Cynthia is equally great. I teared up multiple times and not only over Bailey's tight pants. I can't wait for this to release next week to discuss it in detail.

But every added bit of story and songis welcome and nothing at all feels superfluous. Thank God this was done by someone who understands and respects musicals, unlike so many of the directors out there who feel they have change musicals to make them "less musical". Jon Chu can direct every movie musical ever again, for my money."

I always love your reviews. and thank you so much for this one! Fun and informative to read as always, and I feel even more excited to see it!

Rentaholic2 said: "I’ve heard riffing / optioning up in One Short Day, Popular, Wizard and I, Dancing Through Life, and Defying Gravity, just from the trailers and clips. It’s a little much. Is Doctor Dillamond gonna turn Something Bad into an American Idol audition? That’s my one criticism so far, but everything else looks amazing."

You know, I actually like the riffing, but your Dr. Dillamond comment was so funny I LOLed!

Has anyone seen a 3D screening of the film yet?

NormasTurban said: "Were there any other cameos Jordan? Beyond the obvious Kristin and Idina.

I read that Kerry Ellis was supposed to pop up."

 

Updated On: 11/15/24 at 04:55 PM

Interesting! 
I remember hearing a few of the British Elphabas had been invited to film something so it’ll be a shame if they’ve been cut apart from Alice.

Exactly. I was informed that countless cameos are in the film but spread out throughout both films. Both films were shot as one film so filming is complete. Everyone filmed their cameos around the same time and only they know which half of the film their parts will be shown. 

This is going to flop hard. 

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

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."

I read this thinking it was a quote from over a year ago. Laughable.

As this week marks the release of Wicked, I thought it'd be fun to shine a light on trio of actresses who've played Elphaba in different companies. Hear what Christine Dwyer, Laurel Harris, and Kristy Cates all had to say regarding their experiences with the musical.

A WICKED Retrospective

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."

Box office tracking for the opening is at least $85M, with $150M being the high ceiling for the open weekend. Oscar prognosticators who have seen the movie, have started listing it as a dark horse to get a Best Picture Nomination. 

People are often right predicting a Broadway show turned movie is going to underperform or that a Broadway show shouldn't be turned into a movie. That's not Wicked.

It's one of the most successful Broadway shows of all time and the scope of the story always made more sense as a movie. Elphaba on a riser is cool, seeing her actually fly is cooler. 

The last major Wizard of Oz movie, Oz the Great and Powerful, grossed $493.3 million at the box office; and Wicked is arguably more of a Harry Potter story than the last three Harry Potter universe movies. 

This ain't flopping. 

And unlike other movie adaptations of major musicals that have fallen flat (Phantom, Cats, Rent), this is actually well-cast and has an appropriate director helming it. 

Nah, I'm predicting a $125M+ opening week.

Oscar analysts who have seen this film are already putting it in the top 10 for best picture, with many putting it in the top 5 or 7. It is going to EAT. I am predicting 8 Oscar noms.

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."

Oh, look! A classic troll! 

I also saw photos that G(a)linda and Elphaba are already new characters at Universal Studios.