WICKED Featurette Showcases Live Vocal Performances

Courtesy Universal Pictures

While there may be some confusion at Shiz University, there's no confusion over whether or not the vocals in WICKED are live! How do we know? Universal Pictures has dropped a behind-the-scenes featurette exploring the performances on set.

WICKED releases in theaters on November 22, 2024.

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, WICKED makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.

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 talent.

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.

The film also stars Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey ("Bridgerton," Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s "Spongebob Squarepants," "Fosse/Verdon") as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.

The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang ("Saturday Night Live") and Bronwyn James ("Harlots"); a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) and four-time Emmy winner Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones") as the voice of Dr. Dillamond.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), WICKED is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. WICKED Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 26, 2025.

WICKED is produced by Marc Platt (La La Land, The Little Mermaid), whose films, television shows and stage productions have earned a combined 46 Oscar® nominations, 58 Emmy nominations and 36 Tony nominations, and by multiple Tony winner David Stone ("Kimberly Akimbo," "Next to Normal"), with whom Platt produced the blockbuster "Wicked" stage musical. The executive producers are David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz and Jared LeBoff.

Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED is adapted for the screen by the stage production’s book writer Winnie Holzman and by legendary Grammy and Oscar® winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The Broadway stage musical is produced by Universal Stage Productions, Marc Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.