Wicked fans ‘couldn’t be more thrilled’ as blockbuster musical opens worldwide

What is this sensation? After years of guesses, countless casting rumors outnumbering the flying monkeys in Oz, a project that’s been a goldmine for tabloids, and an extensive marketing campaign that could rival that of a wizard, Universal's grand musical Wicked has finally made its way to theaters along the iconic yellow brick road.

On Thursday evening, the first official showings took place across the United States, including at the AMC Empire 25 in New York City, a stunning multi-level venue right near Times Square. The weather outside was dreadful, with heavy, cold rain making it perfect for a movie night. Inside the theater, there was a vibrant atmosphere as devoted fans lined up for one of the theater's 32 showings of the film to meet the high demand. Box office forecasts suggest the film is poised to "captivate the world," with expectations for a blockbuster opening of around $200 million. Last night, it earned over $19 million in US previews, coming close to Barbie's $22 million from 2023.

Viewers are clearly swayed by the film's reviews. Similar to gazing at the dazzling Emerald City, critics are universally impressed. Jocelyn Noveck from the Associated Press remarked, "If it seems like they created the ultimate Wicked movie, it's because they really did." Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian noted, "What a delightful spectacle it is," while Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair claimed the film represents a "one-of-a-kind, perfect blend of director, cast, crew, and top-notch source material."

Gabby and Rachel, friends from Brooklyn, made their way to this AMC theater despite the heavy wind and rain, dressed in pink and green as a nod to the movie's standout colors. "We're looking forward to it, but we're not obsessed fans," they mentioned, expressing their wish to take part in a cultural event similar to the Barbie phenomenon. "We're here for the fun of it all."

At the same time, Travis from Queens arrived wearing a witch hat along with a black mesh top and shorts. "I remember catching a preview of the musical back when I was in eighth grade, before anyone knew what it was or how it would turn out," he shared. "I’ve probably been quite annoying because I can’t stop playing the soundtrack. I couldn’t be happier."

It's not for a lack of effort. Stephen Schwartz's masterpiece first hit the stage in 2003, while the 1995 novel it was inspired by (Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West) was initially intended to be a film. In 2012, Universal joined the project with a planned release date set for 2019. However, that timeline changed, and the pandemic further delayed progress.

When Jon M. Chu, famous for movies like Crazy Rich Asians and his version of In the Heights, was announced as the director in 2021, devoted fans of the show eagerly anticipated news about the cast. The film became one of the most talked-about projects in Hollywood. There were even rumors that Lady Gaga, Shawn Mendes, and Jennifer Lopez were competing for parts in the film.

The filmmakers ultimately chose a dynamic pair for their project: on one side is Ariana Grande, the pop sensation who paused her music career to take on the role of Glinda, which was first played by Kristin Chenoweth. In a recent interview, Grande shared her perspective on this rare opportunity, saying, "When something so unique comes along, it's crucial to make the most of every moment."

Cynthia Erivo takes on the role of Elphaba, originally played by Idina Menzel. When she was announced for the part, Erivo—who had gained recognition for her Tony-winning performance in The Color Purple and her leading role in Harriet—expressed her disbelief at being considered for the role. “Typically, Black women haven’t been viewed as candidates for this part,” she shared recently. “When they have been, they often don’t get the role; and if they do, they’re usually just the understudy or the first backup.”

The pairing of Grande and Erivo has really boosted the film's extensive promotional campaign. This included a highly discussed Super Bowl advertisement that gave fans their first look at it, along with partnerships with companies like H&M and REM Beauty. They even created Wicked-themed Rice Krispie treats, a special Betty Crocker mix, and a unique mac and cheese from Walmart that comes in a surprise color—likely pink or green. At AMC theaters, moviegoers could not only find Wicked-themed popcorn buckets but also enjoy an Enchanted Green Apple Icee inspired by the film.

This isn't to suggest that there weren't a few uncomfortable situations throughout the journey. For instance, Erivo expressed her disapproval of a seemingly harmless fan-made poster, calling it “the wildest, most offensive thing I’ve ever seen.” Additionally, there was some tabloid buzz around the controversial relationship between Grande and her co-star Ethan Slater while filming. On top of that, there have been reports of fans actually singing along during early screenings, which has led theater owners to issue warnings.

As the 7pm showing began in the theater, the lights dimmed after the previews, and the Wicked cast greeted the audience with a special welcome message that sparked cheers from the crowd. "No singing, no crying," could be heard from Grande and Jeff Goldblum, who portrays the Wizard. The audience erupted into applause once more when Nicole Kidman's famous tribute to cinema was mentioned, with her quote, "Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like this," resonating in the air.

After 21 long years of waiting, the movie finally started, and a title card appeared: Wicked: Part One. And yes, another film will be heading to theaters exactly a year from now; a decision that some see as a cash grab and others as "the more, the merrier." The dedicated fans I talked to were fully aware that the story wouldn't wrap up by the end of its 160-minute duration, and they were happy about it. In my screening, the audience followed the no-singing rule, but they enthusiastically applauded and cheered after nearly every musical number and during some surprise cameos.

What were the hardcore fans' opinions after watching the film? Travis, wearing his black witch hat, exclaimed, “It’s a perfect score, ten out of ten.” John, a fellow enthusiast from New York, concurred. “I believe they really hit the mark. In certain aspects, I think it surpasses the musical.”

If that wasn’t enough for fans, a trip to the subway below the theater reveals that Universal Pictures collaborated with the MTA. The subway entrance is completely covered in images of the cast. Just 364 days left until Part Two!