‘WICKED' MOVES UP RELEASE DATE, WILL NO LONGER OPEN AGAINST ‘MOANA 2'
"Wicked," Universal's film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, is landing in theaters on Nov. 22 - five days ahead of schedule.
On its new release date, the big-budget musical is smartly avoiding an opening weekend battle royale against Disney's musical fable "Moana 2." The two films, which appeal to similar female demographics, were both set to hit theaters on Nov. 27. Now, "Wicked" will debut on the same day as Paramount's historical epic "Gladiator II," though there's presumably much less overlap in audience.
Jon M. Chu is directing "Wicked," which has been split into two parts. The second installment is scheduled for a year later on Nov. 26, 2025.
A prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," "Wicked" recounts the events that happened before Dorothy followed that iconic yellow brick road and Elphaba, ostracized for her green skin, became the Wicked Witch of the West. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are starring as friends-turned-rivals Elphaba and Glinda, who first met as classmates at Shiz University. The cast also includes Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University headmaster Madame Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq and Bowen Yang as Pfannee.
More to come…