Behind the scenes of ‘Wicked’: A closer look at the musical adaptation
A surprising encounter with paparazzi
In the world of cinema, the unexpected often becomes the norm. This was certainly the case on the set of Universal’s highly anticipated ‘Wicked’ musical adaptation. Cast members Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey recently shared their astonishment over an unusual incident involving hang-gliding paparazzi during an interview with VMan magazine.
“We were very spoiled to have done this with [director Jon M. Chu],” Grande reflected on the filming experience. “It felt like a teeny, little secret student thing — its intimacy. It felt so small and private until all of a sudden, we were outside, and the Daily Mail was hang-gliding over our set — oh, he should play the pterodactyl in your film [‘Jurassic Park’].”
Bailey, who is set to headline the next ‘Jurassic World’ movie opposite Scarlett Johansson, described the scene vividly: “It was a man on a massive kite, floating around with his legs hanging down” armed “with a GoPro on his toes.”
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Grande added. “Well, firstly because I don’t have the best eyes. But secondly, because there’s no way. There’s no way! I was like, ‘Ah! Guy on a hand glider.'”
The magic of ‘Wicked’
Based on the blockbuster Broadway musical, ‘Wicked’ serves as a prequel to ‘The Wizard of Oz’, focusing on the complex friendship between Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Grande’s Glinda the Good Witch. Bailey takes on the role of their charismatic classmate and love interest, Fiyero.
“There were certain elements of it that I was incredibly impressed by and I think that is because of the love and care of [producer] Marc Platt and Jon Chu,” Bailey said. “Obviously we’ve grown up loving theater and musical theater, I always felt attached to that wonderment. I think my expectation might have been that somehow in the making of something, you lose that. But we were on those incredible sets.”
The authenticity of live vocals
Director Jon M. Chu confirmed in an earlier interview that the cast performed all their singing live on set during the musical numbers. He recalled telling Erivo and Grande that singing live would mean “there’s going to be a lot of wind in your air pipes. Is that okay?” The actors responded with confidence, saying, “Yeah. That’s what we do.”
“These are live vocals,” Chu emphasized. “When we were shooting it, those girls were like, ‘Fuck the pre-records. We’re going live.’”
Anticipation builds for the release
The first ‘Wicked’ movie is scheduled to open in theaters on Nov. 22 from Universal Pictures. For those eager to dive deeper into the world of ‘Wicked’, you can read the full interview with Grande and Bailey on VMan’s website.
For a sneak peek, check out the Wicked trailer.
Personal reflections for cinema and music enthusiasts
As a cinema and music enthusiast, the dedication to live performance in ‘Wicked’ is particularly thrilling. The decision to forgo pre-recorded tracks in favor of live vocals adds an authentic layer to the film, capturing the raw emotion and energy of the actors. This choice not only honors the spirit of the original Broadway production but also elevates the cinematic experience, making it a must-watch for fans of musical theater.
Moreover, the camaraderie and passion shared by the cast and crew, as described by Grande and Bailey, highlight the collaborative nature of filmmaking. It’s a reminder of the magic that happens behind the scenes, where every detail, from set design to vocal performance, is meticulously crafted to create a captivating story.
For those who appreciate the intersection of cinema and music, ‘Wicked’ promises to be a spectacular showcase of talent and creativity. The anticipation surrounding its release is a testament to the enduring appeal of its source material and the excitement of seeing it brought to life on the big screen.
In the meantime, immerse yourself in the world of ‘Wicked’ by exploring the Wicked trailer and experiencing the magic firsthand.