Wicked generates early Oscars buzz for Ariana Grande

Wicked is taking viewers back down the yellow brick road, and it seems the movie itself is on the road to the Oscars according to the critics who have been able to see it.

The movie adapts the beloved musical of the same name, which tells the story of the friendship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), aka the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande) from The Wizard of Oz. Acting as a prequel and alternate retelling of L. Frank Baum's children's book, Part One charts Elphaba and Glinda's early days in school and their first encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Critics who had been to an early preview of the film were delighted by what they had seen, calling Jon M. Chu's movie a "masterpiece" and tipping Grande for an Oscar nomination.

Variety resoundingly backed Grande for a Best Supporting Actress nomination, remarking how she "brings charm and wit to a character known for her bubbly exterior and hidden depth."

Critics Clayton Davis and Zack Sharf wrote: "The 31-year-old pop star commands each of Glinda’s signature numbers, including a delightful rendition of Popular. But it’s her knack for comedic timing that makes her so memorable. Her delivery of various one-liners and zingers is one of the film’s highlights, potentially positioning her for a first-time Oscar nomination in the best supporting actress category."

They aded that Erivo is equally as remarkable because she "brings her own inflections and depth to the role" however she has tougher competition in the Best Actress category, which means she may well not be nominated despite her strong performance.

Several critics also shared their thoughts on social media, with Variety's Katcy Stephen writing: "I was 'pessimistical' going in, but...WICKED is a masterpiece. Ariana Grande makes Glinda sparkle: she milks every moment with gusto, humor and hair flips. Jon M. Chu added so much new life to the story that I can see why it needed to be 2 parts! Well worth the 20-year wait."

Journalist Simon Thompson, meanwhile, wrote that it was an “absolutely stunning vision. Leads Erivo and Grande knock it out of the park. While this perhaps won’t convert many anti-musical folks, genre fans and die-hard Ozians (Wickhards?) will feast on this.”

For Variety's Jazz Tangcay, Wicked was so good that "the world is not ready for how great" it is. The critic added: "Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande have gifted us a musical masterpiece that is much more than we could have ever expected. Ariana & Cynthia will blow you away. The production design and costumes are a visual spectacle."

Watch the trailer for Wicked:

IndieWire's Erin Strecker felt similarly, and wrote: "Happy to confirm WICKED is the best musical-to-movie adaptation since CHICAGO and MAMMA MIA. Ariana Grande....is perfection!?"

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While Vanity Fair’s Chris Murphy added: “I have seen the Wicked movie not once not twice but three separate times now and believe me when i say it is a complete and utter slay you will be gagged beyond belief everything you think the film looks like from your cracked iphones is wrong Cynthia and Ari truly are impeccable.”

Wicked has had a long journey to the big screen, the film was first announced by Universal back in 2012 but the story had been envisioned as a TV series since 2009. Once the movie was confirmed it remained in development hell for years, and was delayed due to events like the COVID pandemic.

It changed writers and director on multiple occasions before Chu was tapped to direct the movie in 2021, the filmmaker is known for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In The Heights. In November that year casting was confirmed, filming was meant to take place from April to July 2023 but production was put on hold amid the Writers and Actor's strikes, filming resumed in January 2024.

Post-production on the film has been ongoing since, and ended in September. But it seems that the long wait will well be worth it, if the critics are to be believed.

Wicked: Part One premieres in cinemas on Friday 22, November.