Wicked (2024) — Movie Specifications
Title	Wicked
Director	Jon M. Chu
Production Company	Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Productions
Screenplay	Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox
Music & Lyrics	Stephen Schwartz
Cinematography	Alice Brooks
Release Date	November 22, 2024 (Worldwide)
Genre	Musical / Fantasy / Epic
MPAA Rating	PG
Budget	$150,000,000 USD
Worldwide Box Office	$725,000,000+ USD

Overview & Production Journey

Wicked is a 2024 feature film adaptation of the acclaimed 2003 Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film presents the untold backstories of the Land of Oz’s most famous witches, exploring the origin of their complex bond long before Dorothy Gale’s arrival on the Yellow Brick Road.

Originally announced by Universal Pictures in 2012, the production navigated multiple director changes and delays before filming commenced in the United Kingdom in 2022. To faithfully capture the expansive scope of the theatrical show without cutting signature musical numbers, the filmmakers divided the story into a two-part cinematic release, with Part One focusing on their formative years at Shiz University.

Main Cast & Roles

Actor	Character & Narrative Role
Cynthia Erivo	Elphaba Thropp; a misunderstood young woman born with green skin possessing immense magical power.
Ariana Grande	Glinda Upland; a popular, privileged student who becomes Elphaba’s roommate and closest confidante.
Jonathan Bailey	Fiyero Tigelaar; a charming Winkie prince who forms a romantic triangle with Glinda and Elphaba.
Jeff Goldblum	The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; the enigmatic ruler of Emerald City governing Oz through illusion.
Michelle Yeoh	Madame Morrible; the regal Headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University.

Practical Sets & On-Set Live Vocals

Rather than relying primarily on green screen technology, director Jon M. Chu prioritized physical set construction in Elstree Studios and Norfolk, England, planting nine million real tulips to build the Munchkinland landscape.

Live Audio Recording

Defying standard musical movie conventions, lead performers Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande performed their vocals live on set during filming, rather than pre-recording tracks in a studio. This direct vocal capture added raw emotional nuance to showstopping numbers like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular.”

Box Office History & Musical Records

Opening on November 22, 2024, Wicked debuted to $114 million domestically, setting a record for the largest opening weekend for a film based on a Broadway musical, surpassing 2012’s Les Misérables.

The film achieved long-tail commercial power throughout the holiday season, crossing $725 million globally and earning universal acclaim for its craft direction, production design, and lead performances.