Is the 2024 box office ready for “Wicked“?  Universal Pictures certainly is. The studio may have three films currently in the year’s top 10-grossing films, but the worldwide revenue of “Despicable Me 4” didn’t quite beat the numbers “Oppenheimer” had last year (and didn’t even sniff those of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie“). But the first of two movies based on a wildly popular Broadway musical based on one of the most famous films of all time? That could potentially make “Super Mario” profits, and even more. Everyone knows that Universal wants to see that happen.
So what’s the ceiling for “Wicked” and its box office success? $1 billion? More? Maybe even enough to supplant 2015’s “Jurassic World” as Universal’s biggest commercial success ever? Given the film’s source material and star power, it’s in the cards to hit a gross like that, and certainly a definite over the course of two films. But it’s been a strange year at the movie box office, so who knows what Hollywood should expect when “Wicked” hits theaters this Fall.
In any case, here’s a new trailer for “Wicked Part One,” which stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in a prequel story to 1939 MGM classic film.
Here’s an official synopsis for “Wicked Part One,” courtesy of Universal:
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Along with Erivo and Grande, “Wicked Part One” also stars Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, and Peter Dinklage. Other cast includes Bronwyn James, Keale Settle, Aaron Teoh, and Grecia de la Paz. Colin Michael Carmichael, Adam James, and Andy Nyman round out the main cast.
Jon M. Chu directs “Wicked Part One” from a script co-penned by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. Marc Platt and David Stone produce the film, with music by John Powell.
So will “Wicked Part One” be one of 2024’s highest-grossing movies, if not the highest?  The film to beat there is “Inside Out 2,” with $1.668 billion at the worldwide box office; lofty, but beatable, especially with fans of the original musical come out in droves to rewatch it countless times.  Hollywood and audiences find out if this adaptation is a massive hit on November 22, when “Wicked Part One” hits theaters. Check out the new trailer below.
