From Stage to Screen: How Wicked Could Bring Oscar Glory to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Feature image by bradleypjohnson, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Wicked has transitioned from Broadway to the silver screen, bringing a beloved story about the witches of Oz to life in an enchanting cinematic debut. But as the Oscars close in, the question remains – have Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo delivered winning performances?

With the film having cast two big stars to play these bewitching roles, Wicked started generating Oscar buzz even before its release. It has received critical acclaim and significant box-office success.

Directed by Jon M. Chu – otherwise known for Crazy Rich Asians, and In the Heights – the film’s success has planted itself as a strong contender for the 2025 Academy Awards

The Legacy of Wicked

Premiering on Broadway in 2003, Wicked had become one of the highest grossing musicals of all time. Fans had fallen for the themes of friendship, identity, ambition, as well as the dynamics of power and perception that are shown throughout.

This iconic musical, known for its show-stopping songs such as ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘For Good’, has a strong following, and had earned over $1 billion globally, making the adaptation to film a tremendous task. A task that was handled by care by Jon M. Chu.

Directors' Approach to Wicked

The decision to split this adaptation into two films allows a far deeper exploration into the story’s characters and themes. Chu had highlighted the importance of doing justice to the complex and diverse relationships, along with the epic scope of the pre-existing narrative. He had explained to Variety that “with so much story to tell, it became impossible to fit everything into one movie.”

Jon M. Chu is well known for his visually stunning direction in In the Heights, and has brought that same flair to Wicked. With remarkable production design by Nathan Crowley – The Dark Knighttrilogy -, and striking costumes by Paul Tazewell – Hamilton. These iconic visuals serve to heighten the magical feel and atmosphere of Oz, while still focusing on the very human drama of the characters.

The music is done by Stephen Schwartz, who just so happened to have written the original score for the Broadway production, and had worked with John Powell – who won 2 awards for Don’t Worry Darling – in order to create new orchestrations for the adaptation. The music keeps that emotional power that we feel within the stage show, while providing a far more cinematic experience.

Ariana Grande as Glinda

Ariana Grande, a Grammy-winning pop sensation, has taken on the role of Glinda – a character that has become iconic within Broadway lore. She is known for her powerful vocal range and has added more depth to Glinda’s bubbly and otherwise naive character. As a lifelong fan of the show Wicked, Grande had been aiming for a leading role, even before news of the adaptation had been announced. She had even mentioned, while a guest of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, that playing Glinda was a “Dream Come True”.

Critics had praised Grande's ability to balance ambition and personal growth with the sweetness of Glinda, adding that her signing and comedic timing had surprised many. This helps to prove that her range as an actress goes far beyond her music career.

Ariana Grande was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Academy Awards for this portrayal of Glinda.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba

Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo had been cast to play the misunderstood ‘wicked witch of the west’, aided by her powerful voice. Her portrayal of Elphaba has been widely applauded for the depth that captures both the strength and vulnerability seen within the character. Erivo has opened up about the deep emotional connection that she had felt to Elphaba’s struggle with identity, exclusion, and judgement.

Erivo’s portrayal of this character is a masterclass in the complexity of emotion – showing Elphaba’s journey from as a passionate young woman to being misunderstood and vilified by society. Critics had praised Erivo’s vocal ability, particularly during songs such as ‘Defying Gravity’, where she brings an extensive amount of power and emotion to the character.

Cynthia Erivo has been nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2025 Academy Awards for her portrayal of Elphaba.

 

Oscar Nominations – a strong contender for 2025

This film adaptation has been nominated for 10 Oscars, which will be aired on the 3rd of March 2025 at 12 am GMT.

-   Best Picture

-   Best Actress in a Leading Role

-   Best Actress in a Supporting Role

-   Best Visual Effects

-   Best Sound

-   Best Editing

-   Best Visual Effects

The Cultural and Emotional Impact of Wicked

Wicked resonates with themes of self-identity, standing up against societal expectations, and friendship – especially of that between Glinda and Elphaba. This adaptation only reinforces these themes, ensuring that they are able to reach both new generations and long-time fans of the show.

The excitement that is seen among fans has been overwhelming, particularly on social media, where the performances of Grande and Erivo are being hailed as some of the best of their careers.

A cinematic event worth the wait

As of January 27, Wicked: Part 1 has earned an impressive $718.2 million globally – a major milestone for the film. This success at the box office, along with its multiple award nominations, has positioned it as one of the most significant musical adaptations in recent history.

With Wicked: Part 1 continuing to dominate theatres, there is an already building anticipation for the release of the second part – wicked: for good. This second installation is set to release in the US on the 21st of November 2025. New and old fans alike are eagerly waiting to see how the Wicked team will wrap up this story.

Wicked has set a new standard for musical film adaptations, blending spectacular visuals with emotional storytelling and powerful performances. The films cultural impact will only continue to grow, cementing wicked as one of the most influential films of the decade.