Critics have slammed the casting of the new Wicked film, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Some have expressed concerns about the choice of leads, questioning whether their performances will live up to the iconic roles in the Broadway musical.
The Wicked movie is based on the popular Broadway musical, which was inspired by Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The movie adapts the musical into a two-part film, with the first part being released today.
The film tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch, exploring their backstory before the events of The Wizard of Oz. Grande plays Glinda, and Erivo plays Elphaba. This movie is not a remake of The Wizard of Oz, but rather a prequel that shows how the witches' lives intertwine. It includes some new songs and changes to the original musical.
One critic from MSN criticised the film's decision to include an extended cameo by Broadway stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth during the Emerald City sequence, noting it undermines Erivo’s later performance of Defying Gravity.
Defying Gravity is a famous song from the musical Wicked, sung by Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. It marks a turning point in the story when Elphaba decides to embrace her power and stand up against oppression. The song is known for its emotional and powerful vocals. In the movie, this moment is important, but the critic noted that a cameo by Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba, weakens the impact of Erivo's performance later on.
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Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved)The critic said that Menzel’s appearance steals focus, making the supporting cast, with the exception of Michelle Yeoh, seem lacklustre. The critic suggested that the subdued visual palette, often washed in beige or grey, mirrors the flat performances. Despite this, they appreciated occasional bursts of Technicolor, such as the lighting during Elphaba’s spellbook scene and the vibrant finale of Grande’s Popular, which stood out as highlights.
The critic also mentioned that the casting of the leads in Wicked seemed off. While Cynthia Erivo has the singing ability for Elphaba, the critic felt her portrayal made the character feel too serious and distant, which took away from the emotional depth.
As for Ariana Grande's portrayal of Glinda, the critic acknowledged that her voice was well-suited to the role, and she embraced the comedic elements of the character, such as the exaggerated hair-tossing. However, they felt that Grande lacked the necessary sharpness and theatrical edge for the part, and instead, it often felt like a pop star enjoying a playful diversion, rather than a fully realised performance.
Another critic from Vulture mentioned that aside from a few standout moments like the iconic anthem Defying Gravity, they found the constant pop-style Broadway music off-putting.
The critic, however, praised Erivo and Grande's vocal performances, which were reportedly recorded live on set. He also noted that, despite the film being a revisionist reinvention of a classic text, much of it feels predictable, almost as if it were programmed. He concluded by stating that Wicked is both enchanting and exhausting.
A third critic from BBC's Culture praised the casting of Wicked, particularly the performances of Erivo as Elphaba and Grande as Galinda. He noted that Erivo brought a blend of sweetness and vulnerability to Elphaba, while Grande's portrayal of the narcissistic, confident Galinda was both amusing and fitting.
He also mentioned that Grande's impressive vocal range would have made her an interesting choice for a role like Barbie. Overall, the critic found the two leads to be well cast, though he felt that some supporting characters were underused, with the possibility of their roles being expanded in the second part of the film.
The movie concludes with "To Be Continued" with part two being scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
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