Movies

Nobody in all of Oz can bring Cynthia Erivo down in new “WICKED” trailer

BBG News

As a huge fan of musical theater and cinematic adaptations, I can’t contain my excitement for the upcoming film “Wicked,” with Cynthia Erivo taking on the iconic role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Growing up, I was always drawn to the complexities of the characters in L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, “The Wizard of Oz,” but it wasn’t until I discovered Gregory Maguire’s novel, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” that my fascination deepened.

One of the most eagerly awaited films this year is “WICKED,” and there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding Cynthia Erivo. This London-born actress will be portraying Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West who is the central character in Stephen Schwartz’s musical. A new teaser for the movie has added to the excitement as it showcases an electrifying scene straight from musical theater history.

The Rules of Someone Else’s Game

Back in 1995, I came across Gregory Maguire’s intriguing novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” This story took a captivating turn on L. Frank Baum’s classic “The Wizard of Oz” by revealing an unexpected friendship between Glinda the Good Witch and the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. I was hooked as I uncovered layers of complexity in their relationship, realizing that nothing was as it seemed.

In the latest trailer, Elphaba reaches a pivotal point where she determines to defy societal norms and oppose the Wizard. This scene exudes immense empowerment as the melody proclaims, “I’ve had enough of being told what I can’t do. Some things are beyond my control, but until I try, I’ll never truly know.” This is when our idealistic character selects the contentious path that eventually paints her as wicked, yet we sympathize with her decision to seize her power. For those well-versed in the original work, this moment is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited part of the upcoming movie.

Cynthia Erivo the star

Passionate followers of both theater and cinema should recognize Erivo and her impressive talents. She made appearances on shows like “Chewing Gum” and “The Tunnel” for TV, and graced stages at the Brighton Festival and Theatre Royal Strafford East. In 2014, she joined London’s West End with “I Can’t Sing,” and in 2015, she landed the role of Celie in the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple.” For this exceptional performance, she was honored with a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (2016) and a Grammy award for Best Musical Theater Album (2017).

I couldn’t help but notice her impressive resume in the world of film and television. But let me tell you, this is the same talented actress who brought Harriet Tubman to life on the big screen in a powerful biopic, and graced our televisions with her presence in shows like “The Outsider” and “Genius.” She’s not just an accomplished actor, but also a respected member of the industry, having served on the jury of the prestigious 78th Venice International Film Festival. Furthermore, she’s an entrepreneur, having started her own production company named Edith’s Daughter, and giving back to her alma mater, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, by serving as its vice president.

Wicked will be divided into two films, with the first coming to theaters in late 2024.

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2024-07-28 02:15

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