If you think of the word “frozen” today, a certain Disney movie and the song “Let It Go” come to mind. If you thought of that word in 1998, Madonna’s ballad “Frozen” would have come to mind. While “Let It Go” is a fun show tune for little kids, “Frozen” is the superior song for many reasons. The Queen of Pop explained what she thought of “Frozen” in retrospect.
The difference between ‘Let It Go’ and Madonna’s ‘Frozen’
“Let It Go” has a fun Broadway melody reminiscent of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. Its message is great for little kids who want to rebel against their parents by staying up past their bedtime. However, it’s not the sort of rebel song that works for anyone over the age of seven. It’s a little too tame and, well, Disneyesque for that. Walt Disney probably would have loved it but...
The difference between ‘Let It Go’ and Madonna’s ‘Frozen’
“Let It Go” has a fun Broadway melody reminiscent of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. Its message is great for little kids who want to rebel against their parents by staying up past their bedtime. However, it’s not the sort of rebel song that works for anyone over the age of seven. It’s a little too tame and, well, Disneyesque for that. Walt Disney probably would have loved it but...
- 5/19/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paramount Global may be a direct competitor, but NBCUniversal Studio group chairman and chief content officer Donna Langley will be disappointed if the media giant goes away.
“It’s sad,” Langley said at the Kering Women in Motion talk at the Cannes Film Festival, noting that a sale of Paramount means there will be fewer Hollywood studios. “These companies have been great and I’m a big believer in this competitive landscape — kind of ‘all boats will rise. There’s enough to go around.’ I like having healthy competitors; it’s much more fun and interesting and it’s just best for the business.”
Paramount has been entertaining offers in recent months, with companies like Skydance and Sony circling the studio. Langley is hopeful that the deal will be finished by the end of the year. “It’s enough already reading about this,” she said. “No one really knows what’s happening.
“It’s sad,” Langley said at the Kering Women in Motion talk at the Cannes Film Festival, noting that a sale of Paramount means there will be fewer Hollywood studios. “These companies have been great and I’m a big believer in this competitive landscape — kind of ‘all boats will rise. There’s enough to go around.’ I like having healthy competitors; it’s much more fun and interesting and it’s just best for the business.”
Paramount has been entertaining offers in recent months, with companies like Skydance and Sony circling the studio. Langley is hopeful that the deal will be finished by the end of the year. “It’s enough already reading about this,” she said. “No one really knows what’s happening.
- 5/18/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Since the film is being produced and distributed by Universal, which streamer it will land on is easy to answer; when, however, is more complicated.
Did you hear a distinctive call coming from the western skies on Wednesday? If so, it might have been caused by the release of the thrillifying trailer for the upcoming film adaptations of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked.” Directed by Jon M. Chu, the iconic musical will be broken up into two films, with the first will be released on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, the day before Thanksgiving. Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the film’s trailer already has the internet buzzing and while the musical’s legions of fans will undoubtedly show up to see the film in theaters, you might already be wondering when you will be able to stream Erivo’s “Defying Gravity” on repeat at home. Fortunately, we here at The Streamable...
Did you hear a distinctive call coming from the western skies on Wednesday? If so, it might have been caused by the release of the thrillifying trailer for the upcoming film adaptations of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked.” Directed by Jon M. Chu, the iconic musical will be broken up into two films, with the first will be released on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, the day before Thanksgiving. Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the film’s trailer already has the internet buzzing and while the musical’s legions of fans will undoubtedly show up to see the film in theaters, you might already be wondering when you will be able to stream Erivo’s “Defying Gravity” on repeat at home. Fortunately, we here at The Streamable...
- 5/15/2024
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
Nearly 100 years later, cinema is still taking us to the wonderful world of Oz – and the latest trip there isn’t to tell the usual Wizard Of Oz story, but to peek behind the curtain on some of its most iconic characters. Get ready for a massive screen adaptation of hit stage musical Wicked, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel which provides a sympathetic twist on the origin of the Wicked Witch Of The West – spinning the familiar mythology in all-new ways. The big-screen version comes from director Jon M Chu, boasting Ariana Grande as its Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo as its green-skinned Elphaba – sending the duo off to Shiz University where they’ll become the best of frenemies. Watch the extended trailer here:
There’s plenty to digest there – this is a super-sized sneak peek, revealing a whole load of plot, as Glinda and Elphaba enter Shiz’s halls of learning,...
There’s plenty to digest there – this is a super-sized sneak peek, revealing a whole load of plot, as Glinda and Elphaba enter Shiz’s halls of learning,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in director Jon M Chu’s new musical adaptation. Take a look at the new Wicked trailer.
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is one of this year’s most awaited film musicals. Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Chu’s film is adapted from the hugely popular, and rather good, stage musical. Recently, Chu also confirmed that the film would use live vocals, which isn’t surprising as both Grande and Erivo have pretty good pipes for this sort of thing.
The story proved too big for a single film, so Chu and writer Winnie Holtzman have divided it into two parts. We assume the first part will adapt the musical’s first act while Wicked Part Two will do justice to the second act, but don’t quote us on that.
A new trailer has just landed online as well, albeit not on a broomstick.
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is one of this year’s most awaited film musicals. Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Chu’s film is adapted from the hugely popular, and rather good, stage musical. Recently, Chu also confirmed that the film would use live vocals, which isn’t surprising as both Grande and Erivo have pretty good pipes for this sort of thing.
The story proved too big for a single film, so Chu and writer Winnie Holtzman have divided it into two parts. We assume the first part will adapt the musical’s first act while Wicked Part Two will do justice to the second act, but don’t quote us on that.
A new trailer has just landed online as well, albeit not on a broomstick.
- 5/15/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Ariana Grande is returning to her child-star roots to play Glinda the Good Witch in Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked.”
The highly-anticipated film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) as she and Glinda (Grande) befriend one another in college only to later both fall for the same classmate Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) against the political turmoil in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Chu helms the two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman. “Wicked” will debut in two parts, with respective holiday releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement of the split in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give...
The highly-anticipated film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) as she and Glinda (Grande) befriend one another in college only to later both fall for the same classmate Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) against the political turmoil in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Chu helms the two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman. “Wicked” will debut in two parts, with respective holiday releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement of the split in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give...
- 5/15/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Ozians are putting aside their panic for this one day, to celebrate!
The cause for commotion? Universal finally unveiled the first full-length trailer for its adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The dazzling, more than three-minute-long footage finally captures Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba singing two of the show’s anthems, “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”
A prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” recounts the events that happened before Dorothy followed that iconic yellow brick road and Elphaba, ostracized for her green skin, became the Wicked Witch of the West. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship (turned rivalry) of Elphaba and Glinda, who first met as classmates at Shiz University, and asks a central question: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
In the glittering trailer, Elphaba meets her (blonde!) roommate Glinda and gets gifted her signature black witch hat.
The cause for commotion? Universal finally unveiled the first full-length trailer for its adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The dazzling, more than three-minute-long footage finally captures Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba singing two of the show’s anthems, “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”
A prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” recounts the events that happened before Dorothy followed that iconic yellow brick road and Elphaba, ostracized for her green skin, became the Wicked Witch of the West. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship (turned rivalry) of Elphaba and Glinda, who first met as classmates at Shiz University, and asks a central question: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
In the glittering trailer, Elphaba meets her (blonde!) roommate Glinda and gets gifted her signature black witch hat.
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
This weekend, “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo will receive the Gold Ally honor at the Gold House Gold Gala, and filmmaker Jon M. Chu will present the award to her.
Ahead of the Gala, Chu spoke with Variety celebrating his leading lady. He recalls the first time he met her over Zoom while casting for his upcoming movie musical “Wicked.”
Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel that inspired Broadway’s acclaimed musical of the same name, “Wicked” precedes Dorothy’s arrival in Oz and tells the legend of the world and the story behind Elphaba, (Erivo) the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), who becomes the good witch.
Chu shares insight into the performance that blew him away, and why Erivo receiving the Gold Ally award has special meaning for him.
What’s your earliest memory of meeting Cynthia?
It was meeting her over Zoom. She was in...
Ahead of the Gala, Chu spoke with Variety celebrating his leading lady. He recalls the first time he met her over Zoom while casting for his upcoming movie musical “Wicked.”
Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel that inspired Broadway’s acclaimed musical of the same name, “Wicked” precedes Dorothy’s arrival in Oz and tells the legend of the world and the story behind Elphaba, (Erivo) the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), who becomes the good witch.
Chu shares insight into the performance that blew him away, and why Erivo receiving the Gold Ally award has special meaning for him.
What’s your earliest memory of meeting Cynthia?
It was meeting her over Zoom. She was in...
- 5/10/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Based on the book by Gregory Maguire, the hit Broadway stage musical "Wicked" opened on October 30, 2003, at the Gershwin Theatre, and has been running there ever since. It recently surpassed "Cats" to become the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history, although it has a long way to go to supplant "The Lion King" as the third-longest. The musical is a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," depicting the Wicked Witch of the West as a young green-skinned woman named Elphaba whose reputation has been wildly misunderstood. The show won three Tonys upon its release, and the accompanying soundtrack album won an Emmy. One might say that "Wicked" is very ... Popular.
The musical only runs about two hours and 30 minutes (with intermission), but that runtime hasn't stopped director Jon M. Chu from adapting "Wicked" into a massive, two-film epic. "Wicked: Part One" is due in theaters on November 27, 2024, while "Wicked: Part Two...
The musical only runs about two hours and 30 minutes (with intermission), but that runtime hasn't stopped director Jon M. Chu from adapting "Wicked" into a massive, two-film epic. "Wicked: Part One" is due in theaters on November 27, 2024, while "Wicked: Part Two...
- 4/11/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The cast of Wicked flew in from Oz to attend CinemaCon on Wednesday night (April 10) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo – who play Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in the film adaptation of the beloved musical – were joined at the event by Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible), Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard of Oz) and Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero). It was hosted at Caesars Palace and also attended by director Jon M. Chu.
As is becoming tradition, Ari and Cynthia dressed in pink and green in a reference to their characters in the upcoming movies.
During the event, five minutes of the movie were screened, and some exciting details were revealed!
Keep reading to find out more…
According to a recap by The Hollywood Reporter, the new footage provided a tease of Ariana‘s performance of “Popular.” We also get to hear a snippet of “Defying Gravity.” Cynthia‘s Elphaba is...
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo – who play Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in the film adaptation of the beloved musical – were joined at the event by Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible), Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard of Oz) and Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero). It was hosted at Caesars Palace and also attended by director Jon M. Chu.
As is becoming tradition, Ari and Cynthia dressed in pink and green in a reference to their characters in the upcoming movies.
During the event, five minutes of the movie were screened, and some exciting details were revealed!
Keep reading to find out more…
According to a recap by The Hollywood Reporter, the new footage provided a tease of Ariana‘s performance of “Popular.” We also get to hear a snippet of “Defying Gravity.” Cynthia‘s Elphaba is...
- 4/11/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
“Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo traveled to Las Vegas for CinemaCon, the annual convention for movie theater owners.
Dressed in their character’s signature pink and green aesthetic, the Grammy-nominated artists graced the stage at Caesars Palace to hype up “Wicked,” the big-budget movie musical that’s due in theaters around Thanksgiving.
“We both felt such a tremendous responsibility to honor these women and to pour our hearts, our souls, our tears — so many different pairs of lashes,” said Grande, who requested to hold hands with her co-star on stage. Erivo added, “I’m really grateful for this journey that we’ve taken together.”
Though they didn’t sing (to the disappointment of many in the room), they introduced an extended featurette. Scored to “Popular” and “Defying Gravity,” the dazzling footage showcased the sweeping, brightly lit world and includes scenes of Elphaba roaming the halls of Shiz University...
Dressed in their character’s signature pink and green aesthetic, the Grammy-nominated artists graced the stage at Caesars Palace to hype up “Wicked,” the big-budget movie musical that’s due in theaters around Thanksgiving.
“We both felt such a tremendous responsibility to honor these women and to pour our hearts, our souls, our tears — so many different pairs of lashes,” said Grande, who requested to hold hands with her co-star on stage. Erivo added, “I’m really grateful for this journey that we’ve taken together.”
Though they didn’t sing (to the disappointment of many in the room), they introduced an extended featurette. Scored to “Popular” and “Defying Gravity,” the dazzling footage showcased the sweeping, brightly lit world and includes scenes of Elphaba roaming the halls of Shiz University...
- 4/11/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo sang live on the set of Wicked and the results will be heard in the finished film, director Jon M Chu has confirmed.
The long-awaited adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked is heading to cinemas later this year. Well, at least the first part of it… A very sparkly, downright magical trailer was released recently and the hype is building for the film.
Jon M Chu is on directing duties and has been chatting about how the film is getting on now that it is well into post-production.
An interesting snippet from a huge interview feature with Vanity Fair (spotted by Deadline) is that the film won’t be recording the singing in a sound booth after filming is done. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sang live on set.
“These are live vocals,” Chu said. “When we were shooting it, those girls were like,...
The long-awaited adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked is heading to cinemas later this year. Well, at least the first part of it… A very sparkly, downright magical trailer was released recently and the hype is building for the film.
Jon M Chu is on directing duties and has been chatting about how the film is getting on now that it is well into post-production.
An interesting snippet from a huge interview feature with Vanity Fair (spotted by Deadline) is that the film won’t be recording the singing in a sound booth after filming is done. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sang live on set.
“These are live vocals,” Chu said. “When we were shooting it, those girls were like,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
When audiences see Wicked on the big screen, director Jon M. Chu promises to expect live vocals.
In a preview with Vanity Fair, the director shared that both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo insisted on singing live during the production. Grande stars as Glinda, opposite Erivo’s Elphaba in the film.
“These are live vocals,” Chu said. “When we were shooting it, those girls were like, ‘Fuck the pre-records. We’re going live.’ ”
Despite feeling skeptical and questioning the decision (“There’s going to be a lot of wind in your air pipes. Is that okay?” he recalled asking), Chu said the stars “didn’t miss a beat” and said, “Yeah. That’s what we do.”
While performing “Defying Gravity,” Erivo “had a harness pulling and pushing and yanking and tugging on every nook and cranny that there is,” Grande described. Meanwhile, Erivo said of Grande: “I’m literally never...
In a preview with Vanity Fair, the director shared that both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo insisted on singing live during the production. Grande stars as Glinda, opposite Erivo’s Elphaba in the film.
“These are live vocals,” Chu said. “When we were shooting it, those girls were like, ‘Fuck the pre-records. We’re going live.’ ”
Despite feeling skeptical and questioning the decision (“There’s going to be a lot of wind in your air pipes. Is that okay?” he recalled asking), Chu said the stars “didn’t miss a beat” and said, “Yeah. That’s what we do.”
While performing “Defying Gravity,” Erivo “had a harness pulling and pushing and yanking and tugging on every nook and cranny that there is,” Grande described. Meanwhile, Erivo said of Grande: “I’m literally never...
- 3/21/2024
- by Lexy Perez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If coughing blood into a napkin is “movie for dying,” Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang pairing up for a musical mashup is “Saturday Night Live for funny.” And funny it was!
In this weekend’s spoof of Moulin Rouge, the 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, musical guest Grande joined Yang in a never-before-seen, uncut version of the film’s iconic love medley. The extended mashup started off the same as the actual film’s, but quickly segued into a particularly giggly Yang and Grande duetting a bizarre collection of mostly unrelated, unromantic songs including “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
In this weekend’s spoof of Moulin Rouge, the 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, musical guest Grande joined Yang in a never-before-seen, uncut version of the film’s iconic love medley. The extended mashup started off the same as the actual film’s, but quickly segued into a particularly giggly Yang and Grande duetting a bizarre collection of mostly unrelated, unromantic songs including “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
- 3/10/2024
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Ariana Grande stole the show during her appearance on Saturday Night Live!
The 30-year-old “yes, and?” pop star was the musical guest on the March 9 episode of the popular late-night show to celebrate the release of her new album eternal sunshine.
She made the absolute most of her cameo, performing two songs off the album’s tracklist, appearing in two skits and collaborating with her Wicked costar Bowen Yang. We pulled together the clips of every moment for you to check out.
Head inside to watch the biggest moments from Ariana Grande’s SNL appearance…
Ariana referenced her newly released music video while performing new single “we can’t be friends (wait for your love).” She returned to the stage following an introduction from her mom Joan to round out her night with “imperfect for you.” She sang the delicate ballad amid a field that could have come straight from Oz.
The 30-year-old “yes, and?” pop star was the musical guest on the March 9 episode of the popular late-night show to celebrate the release of her new album eternal sunshine.
She made the absolute most of her cameo, performing two songs off the album’s tracklist, appearing in two skits and collaborating with her Wicked costar Bowen Yang. We pulled together the clips of every moment for you to check out.
Head inside to watch the biggest moments from Ariana Grande’s SNL appearance…
Ariana referenced her newly released music video while performing new single “we can’t be friends (wait for your love).” She returned to the stage following an introduction from her mom Joan to round out her night with “imperfect for you.” She sang the delicate ballad amid a field that could have come straight from Oz.
- 3/10/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Ariana Grande and Bowen Young could not keep it together during a sketch on Saturday Night Live tonight.
The pair brought to life songs that did not make it into the hit film Moulin Rouge which included “Up Where We Belong,” originally sung by Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker; “Do-Re-Mi” by Julie Andrews; “Creep” by TLC; “Happy Birthday”; and “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2 among others.
While they made it nearly all the way through the sketch before breaking character, Yang began to lose focus while performing Shania Twain’s hit song “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” He continued to have a fit of giggles as he and Grande sang “Happy Birthday” for the umpteenth time leading the latter also to break character. It only gets worse when the comedian dips the singer and attempts to sing “I Will Always Love You,” written by Dolly Parton...
The pair brought to life songs that did not make it into the hit film Moulin Rouge which included “Up Where We Belong,” originally sung by Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker; “Do-Re-Mi” by Julie Andrews; “Creep” by TLC; “Happy Birthday”; and “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2 among others.
While they made it nearly all the way through the sketch before breaking character, Yang began to lose focus while performing Shania Twain’s hit song “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” He continued to have a fit of giggles as he and Grande sang “Happy Birthday” for the umpteenth time leading the latter also to break character. It only gets worse when the comedian dips the singer and attempts to sing “I Will Always Love You,” written by Dolly Parton...
- 3/10/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Ariana Grande wasn’t just the musical guest during the March 9 episode of “Saturday Night Live.” While she took the stage to perform two songs from “Eternal Sunshine,” her just-released sixth album, “We Can’t Be Friends” and “Imperfect For You” — and was introduced by her mom, Joan Grande, for the second number — she also took on two different sketches.
After appearing as a patient in a group therapy session during the first half of the show, she was invited back to the stage later on in the night for a “Moulin Rouge” spoof, giving her the opportunity to sing covers of multiple hit songs.
The sketch created a PBS special, hosted by Mikey Day, taking a look at what the “Elephant Love Medley” would have looked like had director Baz Luhrmann known they’d be able to get the rights to other love songs; Bowen Yang and Grande played Christian and Satine,...
After appearing as a patient in a group therapy session during the first half of the show, she was invited back to the stage later on in the night for a “Moulin Rouge” spoof, giving her the opportunity to sing covers of multiple hit songs.
The sketch created a PBS special, hosted by Mikey Day, taking a look at what the “Elephant Love Medley” would have looked like had director Baz Luhrmann known they’d be able to get the rights to other love songs; Bowen Yang and Grande played Christian and Satine,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Emily Longeretta
- Variety Film + TV
There was music in the air throughout Super Bowl Lviii. Usher wooed the masses with his singing at the halftime show, and even Ryan Gosling outed himself as a Swiftie in a brand-new trailer for "The Fall Guy." But you know the one place where there wasn't any onscreen singing? The game's first look trailer for "Wicked," "In the Heights" director Jon M. Chu's upcoming two-part film adaptation of one of the most pop-u-lar stage musicals in Broadway history.
Save for a few snippets of off-screen singing (including Cynthia Erivo belting out the show-stopping "Defying Gravity"), the "Wicked' trailer was devoted exclusively to spoken dialogue. This isn't anything new, either. "Wonka," "The Color Purple," and "Mean Girls" were almost single-handedly responsible for keeping theaters afloat in January, yet you might have not realized these films were full of singing and dancing if you went in having only watched their trailers.
Save for a few snippets of off-screen singing (including Cynthia Erivo belting out the show-stopping "Defying Gravity"), the "Wicked' trailer was devoted exclusively to spoken dialogue. This isn't anything new, either. "Wonka," "The Color Purple," and "Mean Girls" were almost single-handedly responsible for keeping theaters afloat in January, yet you might have not realized these films were full of singing and dancing if you went in having only watched their trailers.
- 2/12/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
The trailer for "Wicked" just premiered during the Super Bowl and it features recognizable stars like Bowen Yang and Ariana Grande. But playing the future Wicked Witch Elphaba is someone who might be hard to recognize under all that green make-up: Cynthia Erivo. She's not a household name, but there's a decent chance you've seen (or heard) her somewhere without realizing it.
Erivo is an English actress who rose to prominence with one of her first major theater roles: Celie Harris in the musical stage adaptation of "The Color Purple." She went on to feature in the musical film "Beyond the Lights," then took on the role of Chenice in the West End musical "I Can't Sing!" The name of that show was misleading: Erivo very much could sing, and would continue receiving bigger and better roles as a result. She soon made her Broadway debut in the 2015 revival of "The Color Purple,...
Erivo is an English actress who rose to prominence with one of her first major theater roles: Celie Harris in the musical stage adaptation of "The Color Purple." She went on to feature in the musical film "Beyond the Lights," then took on the role of Chenice in the West End musical "I Can't Sing!" The name of that show was misleading: Erivo very much could sing, and would continue receiving bigger and better roles as a result. She soon made her Broadway debut in the 2015 revival of "The Color Purple,...
- 2/12/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
Ding dong! The wicked witch is alive and well in the first trailer for “Wicked.”
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are a vision in green and pink as they grace the fantastical land of Oz in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming movie musical. And the first look at the film, which debuted during the Super Bowl on Sunday, unfolds to the familiar strains of “Defying Gravity,” the show’s signature anthem.
“Don’t be afraid,” Grande’s Glinda reassures Erivo’s Elphaba.
“I’m not afraid,” Erivo responds, steely voiced. “It’s the Wizard who should be afraid of me.”
This is clearly a different Oz than the one that Dorthy Gale encountered. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel that inspired Broadway’s acclaimed musical of the same name, “Wicked” precedes Dorothy’s arrival in the magical world and tells the legend of world and the story behind Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are a vision in green and pink as they grace the fantastical land of Oz in Jon M. Chu’s upcoming movie musical. And the first look at the film, which debuted during the Super Bowl on Sunday, unfolds to the familiar strains of “Defying Gravity,” the show’s signature anthem.
“Don’t be afraid,” Grande’s Glinda reassures Erivo’s Elphaba.
“I’m not afraid,” Erivo responds, steely voiced. “It’s the Wizard who should be afraid of me.”
This is clearly a different Oz than the one that Dorthy Gale encountered. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel that inspired Broadway’s acclaimed musical of the same name, “Wicked” precedes Dorothy’s arrival in the magical world and tells the legend of world and the story behind Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
- 2/11/2024
- by Sophia Scorziello and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in WickedScreenshot: Universal Pictures
No good deed goes unpunished and Jon M. Chu’s Wicked may as well have been green from the beginning. Even though fans have hotly anticipated this movie for over a decade now (seriously... we can’t stress enough just how...
No good deed goes unpunished and Jon M. Chu’s Wicked may as well have been green from the beginning. Even though fans have hotly anticipated this movie for over a decade now (seriously... we can’t stress enough just how...
- 2/11/2024
- by Emma Keates
- avclub.com
Vocal legends Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are in the ultimate sing-off as friends-turned-enemies in the highly anticipated big screen adaptation of Broadway’s “Wicked.”
Grande and Erivo play two witches, Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West), duking it out over love (Jonathan Bailey) and political upheaval in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard himself (Jeff Goldblum). “In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu helms the epic two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman.
The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“Wicked” will open in two parts, with respective December 24 releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one ‘Wicked’ movie but two! With more space,...
Grande and Erivo play two witches, Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West), duking it out over love (Jonathan Bailey) and political upheaval in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard himself (Jeff Goldblum). “In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu helms the epic two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman.
The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“Wicked” will open in two parts, with respective December 24 releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one ‘Wicked’ movie but two! With more space,...
- 2/11/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Hollywood has been wanting to turn Stephen Schwartz's smash hit musical "Wicked" into a movie for well over 10 years. I remember reading news stories about potential directors as far back as 2010, long before "In the Heights" filmmaker Jon M. Chu eventually signed on to bring this "Wizard of Oz" prequel story to the big screen. Now Universal Pictures has finally released the first trailer for the film, which is set long before Dorothy crashes her way into the Land of Oz. The adaptation of the beloved musical follows the doomed friendship between two witches: Galinda, the eventual Good Witch of the South (played here by pop superstar Ariana Grande), and the green-skinned Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West (played by Broadway veteran and actor Cynthia Erivo).
If this trailer is any indication, it looks like the years-long wait may have been worth it: Chu and his team...
If this trailer is any indication, it looks like the years-long wait may have been worth it: Chu and his team...
- 2/11/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Just as movie theaters seemed to finally recover from the pandemic — and the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon augured a new age of bold studio filmmaking — here comes 2024 to (potentially) spoil the party.
It’s not just that studios pushed many potential blockbusters into 2025 amid Hollywood’s labor strikes. It’s that hardly any of the movies still on the calendar appear to have wind at their backs.
Here’s just a sampling of how 2024 could unfold at the box office.
Sure Thing
“Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.)
Release date: March 1
Thrill factor: In the time since “Dune: Part One” grossed $402 million globally (which is not nothing; the sci-fi epic debuted simultaneously on HBO Max), Timothée Chalamet only cemented his star power with “Wonka.” And Zendaya actually gets some screen time in the sequel.
Chill factor: The box office has been completely unpredictable post-pandemic. Who would have guessed that “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” would...
It’s not just that studios pushed many potential blockbusters into 2025 amid Hollywood’s labor strikes. It’s that hardly any of the movies still on the calendar appear to have wind at their backs.
Here’s just a sampling of how 2024 could unfold at the box office.
Sure Thing
“Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.)
Release date: March 1
Thrill factor: In the time since “Dune: Part One” grossed $402 million globally (which is not nothing; the sci-fi epic debuted simultaneously on HBO Max), Timothée Chalamet only cemented his star power with “Wonka.” And Zendaya actually gets some screen time in the sequel.
Chill factor: The box office has been completely unpredictable post-pandemic. Who would have guessed that “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” would...
- 1/3/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin and Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
If you want a risk-taking Broadway musical that weaponizes disco-glamour to tell a story of crumbling democracy, I hope you already invested in a ticket to the immersion of "Here Lies Love" in its dying breath. If you want a work of artistic and personal self-reflection, see the "Merrily We Roll Along" revival. But if you hunger for Broadway-based belly laughs, you have two musical options: "Gutenberg! The Musical!" or the "Monty Python's Spamalot" revival.
"Lovingly ripped off" from the 1975 "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" as well as other "Monty Python" media, "Spamalot" reigned for 1,575 performances from its 2005 Broadway premiere. Transported from the Kennedy Center run in May 2023, this Broadway revival at the St. James Theatre serves up the oldies with adequate variance to its secondhand Pythonesque humor.
From the moment the Arthurian tale opens with an irrelevant Finland number, anyone who has not seen anything "Monty Python" is in for hijinks.
"Lovingly ripped off" from the 1975 "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" as well as other "Monty Python" media, "Spamalot" reigned for 1,575 performances from its 2005 Broadway premiere. Transported from the Kennedy Center run in May 2023, this Broadway revival at the St. James Theatre serves up the oldies with adequate variance to its secondhand Pythonesque humor.
From the moment the Arthurian tale opens with an irrelevant Finland number, anyone who has not seen anything "Monty Python" is in for hijinks.
- 11/29/2023
- by Caroline Cao
- Slash Film
Something Wicked this way comes, again.
Broadway in Hollywood said today that the Tony-winning smash Broadway musical will return to the Pantages Theatre next year, with its limited engagement starting in December 2024. The organization usually reveals the Hollywood Boulevard venue’s entire season every February, but it got a broom-flying start on 2024-25.
The show is based on Gregory Maguire 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which followed up L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its classic 1939 MGM film. Featuring songs including “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good,” it looks at what happened in the Land of Oz from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman born with emerald-green skin who is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry...
Broadway in Hollywood said today that the Tony-winning smash Broadway musical will return to the Pantages Theatre next year, with its limited engagement starting in December 2024. The organization usually reveals the Hollywood Boulevard venue’s entire season every February, but it got a broom-flying start on 2024-25.
The show is based on Gregory Maguire 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which followed up L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its classic 1939 MGM film. Featuring songs including “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good,” it looks at what happened in the Land of Oz from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman born with emerald-green skin who is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry...
- 10/30/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
We all know that Adam Sandler likes working with people he knows. The movies he produces with his production company Happy Madison regularly feature Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, and other cast members from his Saturday Night Live days. Many of his movies also feature supporting turns from guys you only see in Happy Madison flicks, like Alan Covert and Peter Dante. And, of course, he loves to cast Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore as his love interests.
So it’s no surprise that Sandler’s latest Netflix movie You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzah sees him once again paired with Idina Menzel, who played his wife in Uncut Gems. But Sandler isn’t the star of You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, a comedy based on the 2005 YA novel by Fiona Rosenbloom. Instead, it’s Sunny Sandler and Samantha Lorraine in the lead roles,...
So it’s no surprise that Sandler’s latest Netflix movie You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzah sees him once again paired with Idina Menzel, who played his wife in Uncut Gems. But Sandler isn’t the star of You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, a comedy based on the 2005 YA novel by Fiona Rosenbloom. Instead, it’s Sunny Sandler and Samantha Lorraine in the lead roles,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Idina Menzel is looking back on her time starring as Lea Michele’s on-screen mom in “Glee”.
In 2010, the Broadway superstar portrayed the mother of Michele’s Rachel Berry. At the time, Menzel was 38, while Michele was 23.
Read More: Idina Menzel Is Open To Appearing In ‘Wicked’ Movie But Says ‘That Ship Has Sailed’
“You’re worried you’re not going to work again, and then people hire you to be someone’s mother when you probably should be their older sister,” said Menzel in a recent interview with Stellar magazine.
The “Rent” actress had welcomed her first child, Walker, just a short time before taking on the role in “Glee”.
“It just wasn’t great for the ego,” she admitted, adding that she “sucked it up” because she “was excited to work with [showrunner] Ryan Murphy and be a part of that hit show.”
Read More: Idina Menzel Shares Her...
In 2010, the Broadway superstar portrayed the mother of Michele’s Rachel Berry. At the time, Menzel was 38, while Michele was 23.
Read More: Idina Menzel Is Open To Appearing In ‘Wicked’ Movie But Says ‘That Ship Has Sailed’
“You’re worried you’re not going to work again, and then people hire you to be someone’s mother when you probably should be their older sister,” said Menzel in a recent interview with Stellar magazine.
The “Rent” actress had welcomed her first child, Walker, just a short time before taking on the role in “Glee”.
“It just wasn’t great for the ego,” she admitted, adding that she “sucked it up” because she “was excited to work with [showrunner] Ryan Murphy and be a part of that hit show.”
Read More: Idina Menzel Shares Her...
- 8/14/2023
- by Sarah Curran
- ET Canada
Idina Menzel didn’t always love the idea of playing Lea Michele’s TV mom.
In a new interview recounting her time on Glee, the Tony Award winner reveals that she was conflicted when she got the call to play Shelby.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Robert Carlyle's Toxic Role, Wrexham Season 2 Trailer and MoreSpecial Forces: World's Toughest Test: Tom Sandoval, JoJo Siwa, Blac Chyna and a Chrisley Among Season 2 RecruitsEmmys Scrap September Date Amid Hollywood Strikes - Next Stop, January 2024?
“You’re worried you’re not going to work again, and then people hire you to be someone’s...
In a new interview recounting her time on Glee, the Tony Award winner reveals that she was conflicted when she got the call to play Shelby.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Robert Carlyle's Toxic Role, Wrexham Season 2 Trailer and MoreSpecial Forces: World's Toughest Test: Tom Sandoval, JoJo Siwa, Blac Chyna and a Chrisley Among Season 2 RecruitsEmmys Scrap September Date Amid Hollywood Strikes - Next Stop, January 2024?
“You’re worried you’re not going to work again, and then people hire you to be someone’s...
- 8/13/2023
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
In many ways, Ben Platt is one of the most successful theater kids of our time, third only to Lin-Manuel Miranda and Taylor Swift (proof of this ignominious past can be found here and here). The prodigiously talented tenor grew up with fellow L.A.-based theater kid Molly Gordon and Bff Beanie Feldstein, attending a performing arts school and appearing in the ultimate theater kid role as Winthrop in a Hollywood Bowl production of The Music Man starring Kristin Chenoweth.
Platt was cast as the intensely troubled Evan Hansen...
Platt was cast as the intensely troubled Evan Hansen...
- 7/14/2023
- by Ej Dickson
- Rollingstone.com
Last week, YouTube star Colleen Ballinger, the creator of sketch character MirandaSings, responded to allegations of having inappropriate interactions with underage fans. Instead of a statement, the internet star played a ukelele, accusing people of jumping on a “toxic gossip train.” Her apology was widely lambasted on social media, and the allegations against Ballinger just keep coming. Specifically, many fans are coming forward with more serious claims about Ballinger as a manager and about her content, accusing her of on-set micro-aggressions and posting racist content as MirandaSings.
The latest round...
The latest round...
- 7/6/2023
- by CT Jones
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: Hulu Originals has acquired “We Live Here: The Midwest” from documentary filmmakers David Miller and Melinda Maerker.
The doc explores personal stories of Lgbtqi+ families who are striving to build lives in their communities despite biased legislation and mounting prejudice. The families hope to stay in a part of the country they love, and where they have established deep roots.
The families featured in the doc include a trans/queer family with five children in Iowa who must find a new community after being expelled from their church; a gay Black couple with a young daughter who test the line of acceptance in Nebraska; a lesbian couple who is homeschooling their bullied son on a farm in Kansas; a gay teacher in Ohio who is creating a safe space for Lgbtqi+ students; and a couple in Minnesota that is struggling to rebuild their families after their transitions.
The doc...
The doc explores personal stories of Lgbtqi+ families who are striving to build lives in their communities despite biased legislation and mounting prejudice. The families hope to stay in a part of the country they love, and where they have established deep roots.
The families featured in the doc include a trans/queer family with five children in Iowa who must find a new community after being expelled from their church; a gay Black couple with a young daughter who test the line of acceptance in Nebraska; a lesbian couple who is homeschooling their bullied son on a farm in Kansas; a gay teacher in Ohio who is creating a safe space for Lgbtqi+ students; and a couple in Minnesota that is struggling to rebuild their families after their transitions.
The doc...
- 5/3/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
There’s that one note. That incredibly high note at the end of the song “Defying Gravity” from the musical “Wicked.” A note, until the success of “Let It Go,” which defined Idina Menzel’s career. That note was the last thing heard at Universal Pictures’ CinemacCon presentation on Wednesday evening. But this time, the note was sung by Cynthia Erivo and it was glorious. Truly glorious.
Continue reading Universal Pictures Reveals New ‘Wicked,’ ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Fall Guy’ Footage [CinemaCon] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Universal Pictures Reveals New ‘Wicked,’ ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Fall Guy’ Footage [CinemaCon] at The Playlist.
- 4/27/2023
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Stephen Schwartz's musical "Wicked" celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023. An even greater milestone is on the horizon; "Part One" of the long-awaited film adaptation arrives in 2024. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film retells the story of the musical, itself a retelling of prior tales. It's about the doomed friendship between two witches, Glinda (the future Good Witch of the South) and the green-skinned Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West.
"Wicked" began as a novel (written by Gregory Maguire), but Schwartz's musical is what made the story a modern classic. It's probably the most famous adaptation of L. Frank Baum's "Oz" mythos, discounting the beloved 1939 "Wizard of Oz" film.
Chu's film take will feature Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Both are trained singers so by casting them, the movie is already off to a good start. After a first look...
"Wicked" began as a novel (written by Gregory Maguire), but Schwartz's musical is what made the story a modern classic. It's probably the most famous adaptation of L. Frank Baum's "Oz" mythos, discounting the beloved 1939 "Wizard of Oz" film.
Chu's film take will feature Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Both are trained singers so by casting them, the movie is already off to a good start. After a first look...
- 4/27/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
In what’s a shockingly early first look, Universal brought “Wicked: Part One” to CinemaCon audiences.
The rough and unfinished footage opened with a young green witch trying to master her magical training and being told by instructor Michelle Yeoh she needs to harness her emotions. The footage was mixed in with the filmmakers talking about how and why they made the movie. We get solid looks at all the major cast members, including plenty of interaction between Erivo and Grande as the former has a complicated reaction to a gesture of friendship. “Maybe, some of us are just different.” We get a bit of grand dancing, Emerald City production values (nine million real tulips planted) and flying monkey action scenes.
The final montage of fantastical (and source-faithful) images are, of course, set to the chorus of “Defying Gravity.”
Also Read:
Taika Waititi and Michael Fassbender Are Underdogs in ‘Next Goal Wins’ Trailer (Video)
“Wicked,...
The rough and unfinished footage opened with a young green witch trying to master her magical training and being told by instructor Michelle Yeoh she needs to harness her emotions. The footage was mixed in with the filmmakers talking about how and why they made the movie. We get solid looks at all the major cast members, including plenty of interaction between Erivo and Grande as the former has a complicated reaction to a gesture of friendship. “Maybe, some of us are just different.” We get a bit of grand dancing, Emerald City production values (nine million real tulips planted) and flying monkey action scenes.
The final montage of fantastical (and source-faithful) images are, of course, set to the chorus of “Defying Gravity.”
Also Read:
Taika Waititi and Michael Fassbender Are Underdogs in ‘Next Goal Wins’ Trailer (Video)
“Wicked,...
- 4/27/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Somewhere over the rainbow, two former college roommates battle it out as opposing witches.
The first footage for the highly anticipated “Wicked” movie musical debuted during 2023 CinemaCon. The footage was introduced by Universal chairman Donna Langley, who stressed that the footage on display was very much a work in progress and not “ready for the big screen.”
Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba, who later becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West due to bad P.R. Ariana Grande embodies Glinda, dubbed the Good Witch after the duo’s personal falling out. We got to see the first shots of Erivo all in green as Elphaba, but it also shows the early renderings of the Emerald City, the Yellow Brick Road, flying monkeys and a glimpse of Dorothy. There was plenty of singing and dancing, and further the first moments of Erivo’s soaring rendition of “Defying Gravity.” Jon M. Chu...
The first footage for the highly anticipated “Wicked” movie musical debuted during 2023 CinemaCon. The footage was introduced by Universal chairman Donna Langley, who stressed that the footage on display was very much a work in progress and not “ready for the big screen.”
Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba, who later becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West due to bad P.R. Ariana Grande embodies Glinda, dubbed the Good Witch after the duo’s personal falling out. We got to see the first shots of Erivo all in green as Elphaba, but it also shows the early renderings of the Emerald City, the Yellow Brick Road, flying monkeys and a glimpse of Dorothy. There was plenty of singing and dancing, and further the first moments of Erivo’s soaring rendition of “Defying Gravity.” Jon M. Chu...
- 4/27/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson and Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Something magical is happening in Oz, and audiences are finally getting a glimpse of all the green and pink action.
Universal brought the first-ever footage of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in the movie version of “Wicked” to CinemaCon, the annual movie theater owners convention in Las Vegas. Erivo and Grande weren’t on hand to perform, but viewers were able to hear the captivating sounds of classic Broadway tunes like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” in the background of the dazzling, magical footage.
The never-before-seen clip begins as Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible works with the green-skinned Elphaba to help her control her gift. “Once you learn to harness your emotions, the sky is the limit,” Morrible tells her student.
The featurette gives a sense of the sweeping, brightly lit set and includes scenes of Elphaba roaming the halls of Shiz University before meeting Glinda, who...
Universal brought the first-ever footage of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in the movie version of “Wicked” to CinemaCon, the annual movie theater owners convention in Las Vegas. Erivo and Grande weren’t on hand to perform, but viewers were able to hear the captivating sounds of classic Broadway tunes like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” in the background of the dazzling, magical footage.
The never-before-seen clip begins as Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible works with the green-skinned Elphaba to help her control her gift. “Once you learn to harness your emotions, the sky is the limit,” Morrible tells her student.
The featurette gives a sense of the sweeping, brightly lit set and includes scenes of Elphaba roaming the halls of Shiz University before meeting Glinda, who...
- 4/27/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Prepare for an earlier return to Oz.
“Wicked,” Universal’s big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, is landing in theaters on Nov. 27, 2024 — a month ahead of schedule. The movie was initially scheduled to open on Dec. 25, but the studio felt it would be better positioned around Thanksgiving compared to Christmas.
Though the release calendar will change over the next two years, there’s currently only a Disney Animation placeholder on the docket during Thanksgiving of 2024. By comparison, Christmastime is stacked with “Avatar 3” (a sequel to the third-highest grossing movie in history), as well as “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.”
Jon M. Chu is directing “Wicked,” which has been split into two parts. For now, the second installment is set to release a year later on Dec. 25, 2025. (There aren’t any “Avatar” sequels planned for 2025… at the moment.)
A prequel of sorts to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” recounts everything...
“Wicked,” Universal’s big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, is landing in theaters on Nov. 27, 2024 — a month ahead of schedule. The movie was initially scheduled to open on Dec. 25, but the studio felt it would be better positioned around Thanksgiving compared to Christmas.
Though the release calendar will change over the next two years, there’s currently only a Disney Animation placeholder on the docket during Thanksgiving of 2024. By comparison, Christmastime is stacked with “Avatar 3” (a sequel to the third-highest grossing movie in history), as well as “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.”
Jon M. Chu is directing “Wicked,” which has been split into two parts. For now, the second installment is set to release a year later on Dec. 25, 2025. (There aren’t any “Avatar” sequels planned for 2025… at the moment.)
A prequel of sorts to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” recounts everything...
- 3/14/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
There are plenty of movies about making movies, both literally and figuratively, but you won't find nearly as many films about the art of theater. With so much drama surrounding, well, the drama of theater, it's a setting that is ripe for comedy, and the new Sundance-selected film "Theater Camp" takes advantage of that and delivers sidesplitting laughs in droves with a wonderful assembly of talent both in front of and behind the camera.
As the title suggests, "Theater Camp" follows the mentors and aspiring young actors who come together every summer in the Adirondack mountains for the uplifting and beloved theater camp known as AdirondACTS. Even more beloved is Joan (Amy Sedaris), the founder of the camp, but when the strobe lights of a local stage production send Joan into a seizure followed by a coma, AdirondACTS suddenly finds itself in the hands of crypto-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro of...
As the title suggests, "Theater Camp" follows the mentors and aspiring young actors who come together every summer in the Adirondack mountains for the uplifting and beloved theater camp known as AdirondACTS. Even more beloved is Joan (Amy Sedaris), the founder of the camp, but when the strobe lights of a local stage production send Joan into a seizure followed by a coma, AdirondACTS suddenly finds itself in the hands of crypto-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro of...
- 1/29/2023
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
RuPaul's Drag Race remains a force to be reckoned with on the awards front.
The Critics Choice Real TV Awards unveiled winners for its third annual editions.
There were three ties among this year’s winner’s pool – RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1) and The Great British Baking Sho” (Netflix) tied for Best Competition Series, The Masked Singer (Fox) and The Voice (NBC) tied for Best Competition Series: Talent/Variety.
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network) and The Oprah Conversation (Apple TV+) tied for Best Structured Series.
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1) was the only series to take home multiple awards, also winning for Best Ensemble Cast In An Unscripted Series.
In the fan voted categories, Phil Rosenthal – Somebody Feed Phil”(Netflix) was awarded Male Star of the Year, while Sandra Lee – Dr. Pimple Popper (TLC) was named Female Star of the Year.
Netflix, which led the networks in nominations, also led in wins,...
The Critics Choice Real TV Awards unveiled winners for its third annual editions.
There were three ties among this year’s winner’s pool – RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1) and The Great British Baking Sho” (Netflix) tied for Best Competition Series, The Masked Singer (Fox) and The Voice (NBC) tied for Best Competition Series: Talent/Variety.
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network) and The Oprah Conversation (Apple TV+) tied for Best Structured Series.
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1) was the only series to take home multiple awards, also winning for Best Ensemble Cast In An Unscripted Series.
In the fan voted categories, Phil Rosenthal – Somebody Feed Phil”(Netflix) was awarded Male Star of the Year, while Sandra Lee – Dr. Pimple Popper (TLC) was named Female Star of the Year.
Netflix, which led the networks in nominations, also led in wins,...
- 6/21/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” led all programs at this year’s virtual Critics Choice Real TV Awards, with two nods — for best competition series and best ensemble cast in an unscripted series. But the real surprise, as the awards were announced Monday via press release, was the sheer number of ties in top categories.
VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” tied with Netflix’s “The Great British Baking Show” (Netflix) for competition series, while “The Masked Singer” (Fox) and “The Voice” (NBC) tied for competition series: talent/variety, and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (Food Network) and “The Oprah Conversation” (Apple TV Plus) tied for structured series.
In the fan voted categories, Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil” host Phil Rosenthal was named male star of the year, while Sandra Lee of TLC’s “Dr. Pimple Popper” (TLC) was named female star of the year. Alex Trebek was honored posthumously with this year’s Impact Award,...
VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” tied with Netflix’s “The Great British Baking Show” (Netflix) for competition series, while “The Masked Singer” (Fox) and “The Voice” (NBC) tied for competition series: talent/variety, and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (Food Network) and “The Oprah Conversation” (Apple TV Plus) tied for structured series.
In the fan voted categories, Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil” host Phil Rosenthal was named male star of the year, while Sandra Lee of TLC’s “Dr. Pimple Popper” (TLC) was named female star of the year. Alex Trebek was honored posthumously with this year’s Impact Award,...
- 6/21/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Nominations for the third annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards were announced Tuesday, and it was another clean sweep for RuPaul's Drag Race.
The reality series managed five total nominations.
Queer Eye (Netflix), Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (CNN), Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi (Hulu), and Top Chef (Bravo) all managed three each.
If we look at networks alone, Netflix leads the way, netting 22 nominations.
HBO/HBO Max (with 14) follows the streamer in nominations, along with Food Networ /Food Network Kitchen (with six), VH1 (with six), National Geographic / Nat Geo Wild (with 5), and Discovery Channel / discovery+ (with 5).
Have a look at the full list below.
Best Competition Series
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
The Amazing Race (CBS)
The Great British Baking Show (Netflix)
Top Chef (Bravo)
Tough as Nails (CBS)
Best Competition Series: Talent/Variety
American Idol (ABC)
Legendary (HBO Max)
The Masked Singer (Fox)
The Voice (NBC)
World of Dance...
The reality series managed five total nominations.
Queer Eye (Netflix), Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (CNN), Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi (Hulu), and Top Chef (Bravo) all managed three each.
If we look at networks alone, Netflix leads the way, netting 22 nominations.
HBO/HBO Max (with 14) follows the streamer in nominations, along with Food Networ /Food Network Kitchen (with six), VH1 (with six), National Geographic / Nat Geo Wild (with 5), and Discovery Channel / discovery+ (with 5).
Have a look at the full list below.
Best Competition Series
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
The Amazing Race (CBS)
The Great British Baking Show (Netflix)
Top Chef (Bravo)
Tough as Nails (CBS)
Best Competition Series: Talent/Variety
American Idol (ABC)
Legendary (HBO Max)
The Masked Singer (Fox)
The Voice (NBC)
World of Dance...
- 6/2/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” led all nominees as the Critics Choice Association and nonfiction producers’ organization Npact announced on Wednesday the nominees for the third annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards. The org also announced it would posthumously honor late “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” landed five awards, including best competition series, best ensemble cast in an unscripted series, female star of the year for Michelle Visage, and both male star of the year and best show host for RuPaul Charles.
Programs next in line with three nominations included “Queer Eye” (Netflix), “Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy” (CNN), “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi” (Hulu), and “Top Chef” (Bravo). Netflix led all outlets with 22 nominations, while the Critics Choice for some reason decided to combine HBO and HBO Max’s tallies, even though they are technically separate outlets, and together they received 14 nods.
The Critics Choice Real Awards,...
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” landed five awards, including best competition series, best ensemble cast in an unscripted series, female star of the year for Michelle Visage, and both male star of the year and best show host for RuPaul Charles.
Programs next in line with three nominations included “Queer Eye” (Netflix), “Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy” (CNN), “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi” (Hulu), and “Top Chef” (Bravo). Netflix led all outlets with 22 nominations, while the Critics Choice for some reason decided to combine HBO and HBO Max’s tallies, even though they are technically separate outlets, and together they received 14 nods.
The Critics Choice Real Awards,...
- 6/2/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
When nominations for the third annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards were announced on Wednesday, RuPaul’s Drag Race led with five.
At the award show, recognizing “excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programing across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms,” the long-running VH1 series is up for Best Competition Series, Best Ensemble Cast In An Unscripted Series, Best Show Host (RuPaul), Male Star of the Year (RuPaul) and Female Star of the Year (Michelle Visage).
Other series leading in noms this year, with three each, include Queer Eye (Netflix), Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (CNN), Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi (Hulu) and Top Chef (Bravo).
The leader this year among networks is Netflix, which scored 22 nominations. HBO / HBO Max (with 14) follows the streamer in nominations, along with Food Network / Food Network Kitchen (with six), VH1 (with six), National Geographic / Nat Geo Wild (with 5) and Discovery Channel / discovery+ (with 5).
At this year’s ceremony,...
At the award show, recognizing “excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programing across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms,” the long-running VH1 series is up for Best Competition Series, Best Ensemble Cast In An Unscripted Series, Best Show Host (RuPaul), Male Star of the Year (RuPaul) and Female Star of the Year (Michelle Visage).
Other series leading in noms this year, with three each, include Queer Eye (Netflix), Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (CNN), Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi (Hulu) and Top Chef (Bravo).
The leader this year among networks is Netflix, which scored 22 nominations. HBO / HBO Max (with 14) follows the streamer in nominations, along with Food Network / Food Network Kitchen (with six), VH1 (with six), National Geographic / Nat Geo Wild (with 5) and Discovery Channel / discovery+ (with 5).
At this year’s ceremony,...
- 6/2/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” leads all programs in nominations for the third annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards, which were announced on Wednesday.
The nominations confirmed that the series is a favorite of voters in the Critics Choice Association, who gave it the Best Competition Series award in 2019 and 2020, the only two years the show that honors nonfiction and reality television has taken place.
“RuPaul” received nominations in five categories: Best Competition Series, Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series, Female Star of the Year (Michelle Visage) and Best Show Host and Male Star of the Year nominations for RuPaul.
“Queer Eye” and a trio of food-oriented shows – “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” “Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi” and “Top Chef” – received three nominations each. The shows with two nominations were “Crikey! It’s the Irwins,” “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” “Murder on Middle Beach,” “Nailed It!,...
The nominations confirmed that the series is a favorite of voters in the Critics Choice Association, who gave it the Best Competition Series award in 2019 and 2020, the only two years the show that honors nonfiction and reality television has taken place.
“RuPaul” received nominations in five categories: Best Competition Series, Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series, Female Star of the Year (Michelle Visage) and Best Show Host and Male Star of the Year nominations for RuPaul.
“Queer Eye” and a trio of food-oriented shows – “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” “Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi” and “Top Chef” – received three nominations each. The shows with two nominations were “Crikey! It’s the Irwins,” “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” “Murder on Middle Beach,” “Nailed It!,...
- 6/2/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The Producers Guild of America has announced nominees for the PGA Awards in the Sports, Children’s and Short Form Program categories, with a special episode of LeBron James’ “The Shop: Uninterrupted” featuring President Barack Obama snagging a nod.
HBO nearly swept the Outstanding Sports Program category, landing four of the five nominations in the field, including “Hard Knocks: Los Angeles,” “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel,” “Seeing America With Megan Rapinoe” and “Defying Gravity: The Untold Story of Women’s Gymnastics.” The fifth nod went to “Defying Gravity,” which comes from YouTube Originals.
For kids shows, the first seasons of “Animaniacs” and “Looney Tunes Cartoons” both scored nominations, as did the “Sesame Street” special “The Power of We,” “Carmen Sandiego’s” third season (which was also nominated last year) and the seventh season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”
The short form category recognized new entries “Inside Pixar: Inspired” and...
HBO nearly swept the Outstanding Sports Program category, landing four of the five nominations in the field, including “Hard Knocks: Los Angeles,” “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel,” “Seeing America With Megan Rapinoe” and “Defying Gravity: The Untold Story of Women’s Gymnastics.” The fifth nod went to “Defying Gravity,” which comes from YouTube Originals.
For kids shows, the first seasons of “Animaniacs” and “Looney Tunes Cartoons” both scored nominations, as did the “Sesame Street” special “The Power of We,” “Carmen Sandiego’s” third season (which was also nominated last year) and the seventh season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”
The short form category recognized new entries “Inside Pixar: Inspired” and...
- 2/26/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
“Crazy Rich Asians” and “In The Heights” director Jon M. Chu will helm Universal’s adaptation of the Broadway hit musical “Wicked,” an individual with knowledge told TheWrap. Chu replaces director Stephen Daldry, who stepped away from the project last fall.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Chu wrote: “When I saw Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s Wicked over 15 years ago as it was being workshopped in San Francisco. I couldn’t unsee it. So to think that I have been invited to bring this timeless story to biggest screens all around the world for people to experience with their family, best friends and total strangers…of all walks of life, ages, shapes and colors is like I’ve been invited to Oz by the Wizard himself.”
Universal had previously removed “Wicked” from its release calendar because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The film was originally slated for release on Dec.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Chu wrote: “When I saw Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s Wicked over 15 years ago as it was being workshopped in San Francisco. I couldn’t unsee it. So to think that I have been invited to bring this timeless story to biggest screens all around the world for people to experience with their family, best friends and total strangers…of all walks of life, ages, shapes and colors is like I’ve been invited to Oz by the Wizard himself.”
Universal had previously removed “Wicked” from its release calendar because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The film was originally slated for release on Dec.
- 2/2/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Jon M. Chu, the director of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights,” is taking on the land of Oz. He has inherited filmmaking duties from Stephen Daldry on “Wicked,” Universal’s big-screen adaptation of the hit musical.
Daldry departed the project, which has been in the works for over a decade, last October due to scheduling conflicts. It’s still unclear who will star in the film, or when it will be released. “Wicked” was taken off Universal’s film schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Chu shared his excitement on social media, writing, “Most of my life I have felt out of place, weird and different. I hid behind my camera because people liked to be filmed and I could disappear.”
“But when I saw Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s ‘Wicked’ over 15 years ago as it was being workshopped in San Francisco I couldn’t unsee it,” he said on Twitter.
Daldry departed the project, which has been in the works for over a decade, last October due to scheduling conflicts. It’s still unclear who will star in the film, or when it will be released. “Wicked” was taken off Universal’s film schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Chu shared his excitement on social media, writing, “Most of my life I have felt out of place, weird and different. I hid behind my camera because people liked to be filmed and I could disappear.”
“But when I saw Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s ‘Wicked’ over 15 years ago as it was being workshopped in San Francisco I couldn’t unsee it,” he said on Twitter.
- 2/2/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Let the guessing games begin! As Season 19 of NBC’s The Voice hurtles toward its finales next week (performances Monday at 8/7c, results Tuesday at 9/8c), we’d love to say that we’re sure about who the winner is going to be. But over and over, every time we’ve thought that we had the frontrunner picked out, we’ve been proven so wrong as to practically redefine the word.
Of course, that isn’t going to stop us from making some predictions, it just means that nobody should put their money where our mouth is. (We wouldn’t even do that!
Of course, that isn’t going to stop us from making some predictions, it just means that nobody should put their money where our mouth is. (We wouldn’t even do that!
- 12/13/2020
- by Charlie Mason
- TVLine.com
Jimmy Fallon and Andrew Rannells delivered an exuberant 2020 recap in the form of a gigantic Broadway medley on The Tonight Show Monday, December 7th.
The 2020: The Musical performance found Fallon and Rannells reliving the year’s most momentous and mundane moments with parodies of Broadway classics. The bit started with a take on West Side Story’s “America” that looked all the way back at President Donald Trump’s impeachment and the Democratic primaries, followed by Fallon and Rannells listing all their 2020 plans to Little Shop of Horrors’ “Suddenly Seymour” — before that turned into,...
The 2020: The Musical performance found Fallon and Rannells reliving the year’s most momentous and mundane moments with parodies of Broadway classics. The bit started with a take on West Side Story’s “America” that looked all the way back at President Donald Trump’s impeachment and the Democratic primaries, followed by Fallon and Rannells listing all their 2020 plans to Little Shop of Horrors’ “Suddenly Seymour” — before that turned into,...
- 12/8/2020
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
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