Is Ariana Grande on her way to an EGOT? We may find out in November when the first part of the Wicked movie musical was released.
New footage of the highly-anticipated movie musical was released yesterday at CinemaCon, revealing another look at the "yes, and?" singer in the coveted role of Glinda the Good Witch.
Grande was reunited with her castmates, Cynthia Erivo, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum, as they joined director Jon M. Chu on stage to give attendees an exclusive look at the movie.
Erivo said that she and the "Thank You, Next" singer are "bonded for life" after playing the two frenemies in the adaptation of the blockbuster Broadway musical, the Hollywood Reporter reveals.
"This whole experience is absolutely impossible to put into words," Grande said to the audience, looking back on seeing the musical on Broadway for the first time when she was 10. It instantly became a dream role for her to play, making the film adaptation a must-get for her as she beat out singing actresses Dove Cameron and Renee Rapp for the role.
Once the pair auditioned together, producer Marc Platt was assured that the search was over, as they "claimed each of their roles. When we finally saw them, we knew that we landed on the right pairing. Two strong young women who were destined to play these roles."
CinemaCon attendees were given green Wicked lanyards that lit up, filling the auditorium with a similar color to Erivo's Elphaba look. After the very first look at the movie was shown at the event in 2023, an extended look was revealed on Tuesday.
The new trailer opens with Elphaba and Glinda being notified that they are roommates, launching into a first listen of Grande performing "Popular," a show tune that has become iconic among fans of the musical. In the video, Grande was seen hanging from a chandelier as she plots to offer Elphaba the iconic black hat that has become synonymous with the Wicked Witch of the West.
While a teaser trailer for the film was released during the Super Bowl, none of Grande's vocals were heard. The trailer - which will only be shown to CinemaCon audiences - is the first time the "Positions" singer's transformed vocals were released.
Following the footage, fans took to X to share rave reviews for Grande's performance, saying that it is "perfect casting" and gave them "chills."
"MISS ARIANA GRANDE you did not have to KILL this role this perfectly!! A queen, the perfect casting," one user wrote. "WICKED is about to DOMINATE the box office!! Wait on it!"
Another user revealed that Grande's latest album gave early insight to what to expect from her in the film, saying: "Eternal Sunshine is really a major sneak peak at what Ariana Grande does for her Glinda voice in Wicked, the years of dedication evoke immediate chills and tears when she sings one note."
The trailer reportedly gives a peek inside the massive sets created for the two-part feature, praising the use of practical materials as opposed to CGI.
"This new extended look at WICKED starts with 'Popular,' and showcases a lot more of the practical sets than the first trailer. Feels more grounded and tangible," an audience member said.
The first part of the Wicked movie will be released on Nov. 27. Part two is set to launch on Nov. 26, with Grande and Erivo already teasing their return to CinemaCon next year to discuss the last installment. The previously-released trailer can be seen below.
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