Are you in the process of organizing your upcoming weekend of relaxation? If you have yet to experience the musical fantasy Wicked on the big screen, prepare to enjoy it on OTT this Saturday. The film, featuring performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is scheduled to premiere on JioHotstar starting March 22, 2024. Wicked was penned by Dana Fox and Winnie Holzman and directed by Jon M. Chu in 2024. The film is inspired by the 2003 stage musical created by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman, which itself is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, a reimagining of the Oz series and the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. It presents the first act of that musical adaptation.

Wicked: Star-studded cast

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star in the leading roles of the film. The cast also features prominent actors such as Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. The narrative centers around Elphaba, the iconic Wicked Witch of the West, and her relationship with Galinda, who evolves into Glinda the Good. This story unfolds in the land of Oz, prior to Dorothy Gale's arrival from Kansas.

Plot: Untold story of Oz's witches

In "Wicked," the hidden narrative of the witches of Oz is unveiled. Elphaba's green skin leads to a misunderstanding of her abilities. Glinda, a well-liked and privileged young woman, has yet to discover her true self. In the enchanting Land of Oz, they cross paths as students at Shiz University, forming an unexpected but profound bond. However, their paths diverge significantly following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which places a strain on their friendship. Ultimately, both Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West will come to understand their destinies through their remarkable journeys in Oz.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous challenges that extended the production timeline. However, in 2020, Chu was appointed as the director, and Erivo and Grande joined the cast the following year. By splitting the adaptation into two parts, the characters' journeys and relationships were elaborated upon, ensuring that no story elements were omitted. Principal production was interrupted by the SAG-AFTRA strike in July 2023, but it resumed and was successfully completed in January 2024.

Global release and critical acclaim

Wicked embarked on an impressive journey, beginning with its premiere at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia, in November 2024, and culminating in its theatrical release in the United States. The film received widespread critical acclaim and quickly gained popularity, earning recognition from the American Film Institute as one of the top films of 2024. Additionally, it secured the prestigious Best Picture award from the National Board of Review.

In the realm of accolades, Wicked not only won awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design but also garnered ten nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. With a production budget of $150 million, it has achieved remarkable success as the highest-grossing musical film adaptation, ranking as the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2024 and the highest-grossing film set in the Land of Oz, amassing a total worldwide gross of $735 million.

Sequel release date announced

The debut date of Wicked: For Good, the sequel, is set for November 21, 2025.

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